AIA’s Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score for January was 51.0 compared to 51.0* in December (any score over 50 indicates billings growth). Inquiries into new work and the value of new design contracts both remained strong with scores of 61.9 and 56.1 respectively.
“Architecture billings, while remaining at very healthy levels in recent months, have slowed considerably from the middle of last year,” said AIA Chief Economist, Kermit Baker, Hon. AIA, PhD. “This no doubt reflects delays in the construction sector caused by supply challenges for both labor and materials, as well as ongoing staffing constraints at architecture firms.”
Key ABI highlights for January include:
Regional averages: South (61.2); Midwest (51.5); West (47.6); Northeast (46.8)
Sector index breakdown: mixed practice (59.3); commercial/industrial (54.2); multi-family residential (50.1); institutional (47.3)
Project inquiries index: 61.9
Design contracts index: 56.1
The regional and sector categories are calculated as a three-month moving average, whereas the national index, design contracts and inquiries are monthly numbers.
Related Stories
Market Data | Oct 14, 2021
Climate-related risk could be a major headwind for real estate investment
A new trends report from PwC and ULI picks Nashville as the top metro for CRE prospects.
Market Data | Oct 14, 2021
Prices for construction materials continue to outstrip bid prices over 12 months
Construction officials renew push for immediate removal of tariffs on key construction materials.
Market Data | Oct 11, 2021
No decline in construction costs in sight
Construction cost gains are occurring at a time when nonresidential construction spending was down by 9.5 percent for the 12 months through July 2021.
Market Data | Oct 11, 2021
Nonresidential construction sector posts first job gain since March
Has yet to hit pre-pandemic levels amid supply chain disruptions and delays.
Market Data | Oct 4, 2021
Construction spending stalls between July and August
A decrease in nonresidential projects negates ongoing growth in residential work.
Market Data | Oct 1, 2021
Nonresidential construction spending dips in August
Spending declined on a monthly basis in 10 of the 16 nonresidential subcategories.
Market Data | Sep 29, 2021
One-third of metro areas lost construction jobs between August 2020 and 2021
Lawrence-Methuen Town-Salem, Mass. and San Diego-Carlsbad, Calif. top lists of metros with year-over-year employment increases.
Market Data | Sep 28, 2021
Design-Build projects should continue to take bigger shares of construction spending pie over next five years
FMI’s new study finds collaboration and creativity are major reasons why owners and AEC firms prefer this delivery method.
Market Data | Sep 22, 2021
Architecture billings continue to increase
The ABI score for August was 55.6, up from July’s score of 54.6.
Market Data | Sep 20, 2021
August construction employment lags pre-pandemic peak in 39 states
The coronavirus delta variant and supply problems hold back recovery.
