flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Slight rebound for architecture billings in April

Market Data

Slight rebound for architecture billings in April

AIA’s ABI score for April showed a small increase in design services at 50.5 in April.


By AIA | May 22, 2019

Courtesy Pixabay

Following a sizable decrease in demand for design services in March, the April Architecture Billings Index (ABI) climbed back into positive territory according to a new report today from The American Institute of Architects (AIA).

AIA’s ABI score for April showed a small increase in design services at 50.5 in April, which is up from 47.8 in March. Any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings. Additionally, business conditions remained strong at firms located in the South.  Despite this and the positive overall billings score, most regional and sector indictors continue to display decreasing demand for design services.

“In contrast to 2018, conditions throughout the construction sector recently have become more unsettled,” said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. “Though we may not be at a critical inflection point, the next several months of billing data will be indicative of the health of the industry going into 2020.”

Key ABI highlights for April include:

— Regional averages: South (51.6); Midwest (49.3); West (49.0); Northeast (45.1)

— Sector index breakdown: mixed practice (53.2); institutional (49.2); multi-family residential (47.4); commercial/industrial (46.6)

— Project inquiries index: 60.9

— Design contracts index: 52.1

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

Multifamily Housing | Aug 12, 2016

Apartment completions in largest metros on pace to increase by 50% in 2016

Texas is leading this multifamily construction boom, according to latest RENTCafé estimates.

Market Data | Jul 29, 2016

ABC: Output expands, but nonresidential fixed investment falters

Nonresidential fixed investment fell for a third consecutive quarter, as indicated by Bureau of Economic Analysis data.

Industry Research | Jul 26, 2016

AIA consensus forecast sees construction spending on rise through next year

But several factors could make the industry downshift.

Architects | Jul 20, 2016

AIA: Architecture Billings Index remains on solid footing

The June ABI score was down from May, but the figure was positive for the fifth consecutive month.   

Market Data | Jul 7, 2016

Airbnb alleged to worsen housing crunch in New York City

Allegedly removing thousands of housing units from market, driving up rents.

Market Data | Jul 6, 2016

Construction spending falls 0.8% from April to May

The private and public sectors have a combined estimated seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.14 trillion.

Market Data | Jul 6, 2016

A thriving economy and influx of businesses spur construction in downtown Seattle

Development investment is twice what it was five years ago. 

Multifamily Housing | Jul 5, 2016

Apartments continue to shrink, rents continue to rise

Latest survey by RENTCafé tracks size changes in 95 metros. 

Multifamily Housing | Jun 22, 2016

Can multifamily construction keep up with projected demand?

The Joint Center for Housing Studies’ latest disection of America’s housing market finds moderate- and low-priced rentals in short supply.

Contractors | Jun 21, 2016

Bigness counts when it comes to construction backlogs

Large companies that can attract talent are better able to commit to more work, according to a national trade group for builders and contractors.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category




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