Starting the year on a strong note, architecture firm billings strengthened slightly in January, according to a new report today from The American Institute of Architects (AIA).
AIA’s Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score of 52.2 for January compared to 52.1* in December reflects an increase in design services provided by U.S. architecture firms (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). Indicators of work in the pipeline, including new project inquiries and new design contracts remained positive, posting scores of 57.9 and 56.0 respectively.
“Despite the continued presence of volatility in the economy, design activity has begun to accelerate in recent months,” said AIA Chief Economist, Kermit Baker, Hon. AIA, PhD. “Even with the ongoing challenges facing the nonresidential construction sector, this upturn points to at least modest growth over the coming year.”
Key ABI highlights for January include:
• Regional averages: South (56.7); West (52.1); Midwest (51.3); Northeast (45.3)
• Sector index breakdown: mixed practice (51.6); commercial/industrial (51.5); multi-family residential (51.2); institutional (51.1)
• Project inquiries index: 57.9
• Design contracts index: 56.0
The regional and sector categories are calculated as a three-month moving average, whereas the national index, design contracts and inquiries are monthly numbers.
*Every January the AIA research department updates the seasonal factors used to calculate the ABI, resulting in a revision of recent ABI values.
Related Stories
Healthcare Facilities | Feb 18, 2021
The Weekly show, Feb 18, 2021: What patients want from healthcare facilities, and Post-COVID retail trends
This week on The Weekly show, BD+C editors speak with AEC industry leaders from JLL and Landini Associates about what patients want from healthcare facilities, based on JLL's recent survey of 4,015 patients, and making online sales work for a retail sector recovery.
Market Data | Feb 17, 2021
Soaring prices and delivery delays for lumber and steel squeeze finances for construction firms already hit by pandemic
Association officials call for removing tariffs on key materials to provide immediate relief for hard-hit contractors and exploring ways to expand long-term capacity for steel, lumber and other materials,
Market Data | Feb 9, 2021
Construction Backlog and contractor optimism rise to start 2021, according to ABC member survey
Despite the monthly uptick, backlog is 0.9 months lower than in January 2020.
Market Data | Feb 9, 2021
USGBC top 10 states for LEED in 2020
The Top 10 States for LEED green building is based on gross square feet of certified space per person using 2010 U.S. Census data and includes commercial and institutional projects certified in 2020.
Market Data | Feb 8, 2021
Construction employment stalls in January with unemployment rate of 9.4%
New measures threaten to undermine recovery.
Market Data | Feb 4, 2021
Construction employment declined in 2020 in majority of metro areas
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land and Brockton-Bridgewater-Easton, Mass. have worst 2020 losses, while Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, Ind. and Walla Walla, Wash. register largest gains in industry jobs.
Market Data | Feb 3, 2021
Construction spending diverges in December with slump in private nonresidential sector, mixed public work, and boom in homebuilding
Demand for nonresidential construction and public works will decline amid ongoing pandemic concerns.
Market Data | Feb 1, 2021
The New York City market is back on top and leads the U.S. hotel construction pipeline
New York City has the greatest number of projects under construction with 108 projects/19,439 rooms.
Market Data | Jan 29, 2021
Multifamily housing construction outlook soars in late 2020
Exceeds pre-COVID levels, reaching highest mark since 1st quarter 2018.
Market Data | Jan 29, 2021
The U.S. hotel construction pipeline stands at 5,216 projects/650,222 rooms at year-end 2020
At the end of Q4 ‘20, projects currently under construction stand at 1,487 projects/199,700 rooms.
