After showing struggling business conditions for most of 2011, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) has now reached positive terrain in consecutive months. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. The AIA reported the December ABI score was 52.0, following the exact same mark in November. This score reflects an overall increase in demand for design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The new projects inquiry index was 64.0, down just a point from a reading of 65.0 the previous month.
“We saw nearly identical conditions in November and December of 2010 only to see momentum sputter and billings fall into negative territory as we moved through 2011, so it’s too early to be sure that we are in a full recovery mode,” said AIA Chief Economist, Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. “Nevertheless, this is very good news for the design and construction industry and it’s entirely possible conditions will slowly continue to improve as the year progresses.”
Key December ABI highlights include:
- Regional averages: South (54.2), Midwest (53.1), Northeast (52.6), West (45.1)
- Sector index breakdown: multi-family residential (54.3), commercial / industrial (54.1), institutional (51.3), mixed practice (44.5)
- Project inquiries index: 64.0
The regional and sector categories are calculated as a 3-month moving average, whereas the index and inquiries are monthly numbers. BD+C
Related Stories
Contractors | May 27, 2018
Swinerton rebrands to call attention to its broader portfolio
Renewable energy is the kind of higher-margin business sector into which this GC has been expanding.
| May 24, 2018
Accelerate Live! talk: The rise of multi-user virtual reality
In this 15-minute talk at BD+C’s Accelerate Live! conference (May 10, 2018, Chicago), two of CannonDesign's tech leaders present their early findings from pilot testing multi-user VR technology for AEC project coordination.
| May 24, 2018
Accelerate Live! talk: The next frontier of post-occupancy evaluations
In this 15-minute talk at BD+C’s Accelerate Live! conference (May 10, 2018, Chicago), ZGF Architects’ Chris Chatto outlines methods for conducting meaningful, holistic evaluations from design to occupancy.
| May 24, 2018
Accelerate Live! talk: Security and the built environment: Insights from an embassy designer
In this 15-minute talk at BD+C’s Accelerate Live! conference (May 10, 2018, Chicago), embassy designer Tom Jacobs explores ways that provide the needed protection while keeping intact the representational and inspirational qualities of a design.
Contractors | May 5, 2018
Manual data entry still hampers jobsite construction
A new survey also finds managers and executives collecting and managing their work information on multiple platforms.
Contractors | May 3, 2018
The U.S. construction pipeline showed healthy growth in the first quarter
We expect the Pipeline to continue its modest growth through 2018.
Contractors | Apr 30, 2018
Following—and forecasting—the money: Financial modeling for project managers
To wait until there’s a problem affecting design and construction before consulting with a PM wastes valuable time when a project is at its most vulnerable point.
Contractors | Apr 26, 2018
At Boston University’s dental school, ‘under construction’ won’t mean ‘closed for business’
A major renovation and addition are scheduled to minimize operational disruption.
Contractors | Apr 20, 2018
Construction employment rises in 38 states and D.C. from March 2017 to March 2018
California and West Virginia have biggest job gains for the year, North Dakota has largest decline; Texas and Alaska have largest monthly pickup, New York and Hawaii have largest monthly drops.
Contractors | Apr 13, 2018
Clayco to open new office in Greenville, South Carolina
The office will be located in the One building at 2 West Washington Street.
