HORIZONTV FEATURING BD+C: WATCH EPISODES ON DEMAND AT HORIZONTV

𝕏

Currently Reading

ABI turns positive after four monthly declines

ABI turns positive after four monthly declines

By By BD+C Staff | September 23, 2011

On the heels of a period of weakness in design activity, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) took a sudden upturn in August.

Continue Reading

On the heels of a period of weakness in design activity, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) took a sudden upturn in August. 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 American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the August ABI score was 51.4, following a very weak score of 45.1 in July. 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 56.9, up sharply from a reading of 53.7 the previous month.

"Based on the poor economic conditions over the last several months, this turnaround in demand for design services is a surprise," said AIA Chief Economist, Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. "Many firms are still struggling, and continue to report that clients are having difficulty getting financing for viable projects, but it's possible we've reached the bottom of the down cycle."

Key August ABI highlights:

Regional averages: Midwest (49.0), South (47.4), West (47.4), Northeast (46.5)
Sector index breakdown: mixed practice (50.9), institutional (48.5), commercial / industrial (46.0), multi-family residential (44.8)
Project inquiries index: 56.9 BD+C

Tags

Related Stories

The Weekly Show, March 25, 2021: The Just Label for AEC firms, and Perkins Eastman's Well-Platinum design studio

Architects | Mar 25, 2021

The Weekly Show, March 25, 2021: The Just Label for AEC firms, and Perkins Eastman's Well-Platinum design studio

This week on The Weekly show, BD+C editors speak with AEC industry leaders about the Just Label from the International Living Future Institute, and the features and amenities at Perkins Eastman's Well Platinum-certified design studio.

Architects | Mar 23, 2021

Design firms KTGY, Simeone Deary Design Group unite to shape future of architectural design through experiential environments

With a bold vision to reshape how people experience spaces, residential design firm joins forces with interior design group, creating fully integrated architecture, branding, interiors and planning practice.

Architects | Mar 16, 2021

Perkins Eastman and Pfeiffer Partners Architects merge

David Swartz FAIA in the LA office of HLW

Architects | Mar 15, 2021

A life in architecture – Lessons from my father

A veteran designer looks back on the lessons his father, a contractor, taught him.

Calling all building design professionals: BD+C needs your expertise on design innovation in 2021

Architects | Mar 11, 2021

Calling all building design professionals: BD+C needs your expertise on design innovation in 2021

This new BD+C research project explores the leading drivers, sources of inspiration, and successful outcomes for design innovation projects and initiatives.

The Weekly show, March 11, 2021: 5 building products for COVID-related conditions, and AI for MEP design

Coronavirus | Mar 11, 2021

The Weekly show, March 11, 2021: 5 building products for COVID-related conditions, and AI for MEP design

This week on The Weekly show, BD+C editors speak with AEC industry leaders about building products and systems that support COVID-related conditions, and an AI tool that automates the design of MEP systems.

8 tips for converting office space to life sciences labs BioMarin_Novato

Laboratories | Mar 10, 2021

8 tips for converting office space to life sciences labs

Creating a successful life sciences facility within the shell of a former office building can be much like that old “square peg round hole” paradigm. Two experts offer important advice.

The Weekly show, Mar 4, 2021: Bringing AI to the masses, meet the team behind the award-winning Central Station Memphis hotel

AEC Tech | Mar 4, 2021

The Weekly show, March 4, 2021: Bringing AI to the masses, and Central Station Memphis hotel

This week on The Weekly show, BD+C editors speak with AEC industry leaders about the award-winning Central Station Memphis hotel reconstruction project, and how Autodesk aims to bring generative design and AI tools to the AEC masses.

ReefLine stair sculpture

Architects | Mar 1, 2021

OMA designs 7-mile-long underwater sculpture park

The project will be completed in several phases.

Architects | Mar 1, 2021

AIA elevates 102 members to the College of Fellows

AIA fellowship recognizes significant contributions to the profession of architecture and society.

Top Articles

MFPRO+ New Projects

BIG’s One High Line finally reaches completion in New York City’s West Chelsea neighborhood

Urban Planning

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

Building Enclosure Systems

Winners of Building Envelope Innovation Prize focus on secondary glazing

More In Category

MFPRO+ New Projects

BIG’s One High Line finally reaches completion in New York City’s West Chelsea neighborhood

One High Line, a luxury residential project spanning a full city block in New York’s West Chelsea neighborhood, reached completion this summer following years of delays related to investor lawsuits.

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.

MFPRO+ New Projects

Luxury waterfront tower in Brooklyn features East River and Manhattan skyline views

Leasing recently began for The Dupont, a 41-story luxury rental property along the Brooklyn, N.Y., waterfront. Located within the 22-acre Greenpoint Landing, where it overlooks the newly constructed Newtown Barge Park, the high-rise features East River and Manhattan skyline views along with 20,000 sf of indoor and outdoor communal space.

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.

Most Popular Content