flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
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.

 

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 

Related Stories

| Apr 26, 2012

Blackney Hayes Architects launches new engineering division

The new division, BHH Engineers, will be led by Mark Hershman, PE.

| Apr 26, 2012

Energy efficiency requirements heighten the importance of proper protection for roofing systems

Now more than ever, a well-insulated and well protected roof is critical in new or renovated commercial buildings.

| Apr 26, 2012

Orange County, Fla. high school receives NAIOP “Public Development of the Year” award

School replacement designed by SchenkelShultz Architecture and constructed by Williams Co.

| Apr 25, 2012

Bubble skyscraper design aims to purify drinking water

The Freshwater Skyscraper will address the issue of increasing water scarcity through a process known as transpiration

| Apr 25, 2012

Thornton Tomasetti/Fore Solutions provides consulting for Biologics Support Center

Project receives LEED Gold Certification.

| Apr 25, 2012

McCarthy introduces high school students to a career in construction

High school students from the ACE Mentoring Program tour the new CHOC Children’s Patient Tower in Orange, Calif.

| Apr 25, 2012

Missner Group names McCrory VP of property management

McCrory will be responsible for overseeing the financial and operational needs of the firm’s commercial real estate portfolio which includes more than two million square feet of property.

| Apr 25, 2012

Rogers joins Morgan/Harbour as senior project manager

Rogers will also manage the construction process and daily activities as well as act as the interface between the subcontractors, owners, municipalities and regulatory agencies

| Apr 25, 2012

J.C. Anderson selected for 50,000-sf build out at Chicago’s DePaul University

The build-out will consist of the construction of new offices, meeting rooms, video rooms and a state-of-the-art multi-tiered Trading Room.

| Apr 24, 2012

ULI Real Estate Consensus Forecast, projects improvements for the real estate industry through 2014

Survey is based on opinions from 38 of the nation’s leading real estate economists and analysts and suggests a marked increase in commercial real estate activity, with total transaction volume expected to rise from $250 billion in 2012 to $312 billion in 2014.

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