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
Industry Research | Aug 29, 2019
Construction firms expect labor shortages to worsen over the next year
A new AGC-Autodesk survey finds more companies turning to technology to support their jobsites.
Market Data | Aug 21, 2019
Architecture Billings Index continues its streak of soft readings
Decline in new design contracts suggests volatility in design activity to persist.
Market Data | Aug 19, 2019
Multifamily market sustains positive cycle
Year-over-year growth tops 3% for 13th month. Will the economy stifle momentum?
Market Data | Aug 16, 2019
Students say unclean restrooms impact their perception of the school
The findings are part of Bradley Corporation’s Healthy Hand Washing Survey.
Market Data | Aug 12, 2019
Mid-year economic outlook for nonresidential construction: Expansion continues, but vulnerabilities pile up
Emerging weakness in business investment has been hinting at softening outlays.
Market Data | Aug 7, 2019
National office vacancy holds steady at 9.7% in slowing but disciplined market
Average asking rental rate posts 4.2% annual growth.
Market Data | Aug 1, 2019
Nonresidential construction spending slows in June, remains elevated
Among the 16 nonresidential construction spending categories tracked by the Census Bureau, seven experienced increases in monthly spending.
Market Data | Jul 31, 2019
For the second quarter of 2019, the U.S. hotel construction pipeline continued its year-over-year growth spurt
The growth spurt continued even as business investment declined for the first time since 2016.
Market Data | Jul 23, 2019
Despite signals of impending declines, continued growth in nonresidential construction is expected through 2020
AIA’s latest Consensus Construction Forecast predicts growth.
Market Data | Jul 20, 2019
Construction costs continued to rise in second quarter
Labor availability is a big factor in that inflation, according to Rider Levett Bucknall report.
