flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

ABI gains for fourth straight month

ABI gains for fourth straight month

Positive business conditions for all building sectors.


By Posted by Tim Gregorski, Senior Editor | December 21, 2012

Billings at architecture firms across the country continue to increase. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the November ABI score was 53.2, up from the mark of 52.8 in October.  This score reflects an increase in demand for design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The new projects inquiry index was 59.6, up slightly from the 59.4 mark of the previous month.

“These are the strongest business conditions we have seen since the end of 2007 before the construction market collapse,” said AIA Chief Economist, Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. “The real question now is if the federal budget situation gets cleared up which will likely lead to the green lighting of numerous projects currently on hold. If we do end up going off the ‘fiscal cliff’ then we can expect a significant setback for the entire design and construction industry.”

Other key November ABI highlights:

  • Regional averages: Northeast (56.3),  Midwest (54.4), South (51.1), West (49.6)
  • Sector index breakdown: multi-family residential (55.9),  mixed practice (53.9), commercial / industrial (52.0), institutional (50.5)
  • Project inquiries index: 59.6

The regional and sector categories are calculated as a 3-month moving average, whereas the index and inquiries are monthly numbers. +

Related Stories

Architects | Feb 2, 2022

Steven L. Pliam joins LEO A DALY as Design Technology Leader

Pliam will oversee the deployment and use of technologies such as computational design, parametric design, digital practice, reality capture, visualization, virtual/augmented reality, GIS and AI/Machine Learning.

Architects | Jan 31, 2022

Heatherwick Studio proposes new public waterfront site for Seoul

Heatherwick Studio was recently selected as part of the team by the Seoul Metropolitan Government to create a new sports and cultural district for the city.

Retail Centers | Jan 31, 2022

Amazon Style: Amazon’s latest innovative physical shopping experience

In January, Amazon unveiled plans to build a physical fashion store concept, dubbed Amazon Style, in Los Angeles. The e-commerce giant says the store will offer “together the best of shopping on Amazon–great prices, selection, and convenience–with an all new shopping experience built to inspire.”

Sponsored | BD+C University Course | Jan 30, 2022

Optimized steel deck design

This course provides an overview of structural steel deck design and the ways to improve building performance and to reduce total-project costs.

Laboratories | Jan 28, 2022

3 must-know strategies for developers in today’s life sciences industry

While the life sciences industry had been steadily growing, this growth exploded when the pandemic arrived—and there is no indication that this lightning-fast pace will slow down any time soon.

Cultural Facilities | Jan 27, 2022

Growth in content providers creates new demand for soundstage facilities

Relativity Architects' Partner Tima Bell discusses how the explosion in content providers has outpaced the availability of TV and film production soundstages in North America and Europe.

Sponsored | Webinar | Jan 27, 2022

On-demand webinar: Open plenum design with baffles

With their vast, airy aesthetics, open-plan interiors offer a feel that can inspire and support occupants. But they can also create acoustical challenges that negate the effects of all that beauty. Baffles are an ideal ceiling design solution that address both aesthetics and performance.

Architects | Jan 27, 2022

Gensler’s latest design forecast is also a call to action

The firm urges the AEC industry to take the lead in creating a fairer, cleaner built environment that faces many obstacles.

Architects | Jan 26, 2022

HMC Architects Welcomes New Director of Sustainability

The Sacramento studio of leading national architecture and design firm HMC Architects has announced the appointment of new Director of Sustainability Jennifer Wehling, who joined in December

Market Data | Jan 26, 2022

2022 construction forecast: Healthcare, retail, industrial sectors to lead ‘healthy rebound’ for nonresidential construction

A panel of construction industry economists forecasts 5.4 percent growth for the nonresidential building sector in 2022, and a 6.1 percent bump in 2023.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category


Urban Planning

Bridging the gap: How early architect involvement can revolutionize a city’s capital improvement plans

Capital Improvement Plans (CIPs) typically span three to five years and outline future city projects and their costs. While they set the stage, the design and construction of these projects often extend beyond the CIP window, leading to a disconnect between the initial budget and evolving project scope. This can result in financial shortfalls, forcing cities to cut back on critical project features.



Libraries

Reasons to reinvent the Midcentury academic library

DLR Group's Interior Design Leader Gretchen Holy, Assoc. IIDA, shares the idea that a designer's responsibility to embrace a library’s history, respect its past, and create an environment that will serve student populations for the next 100 years.

halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021