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

| Feb 1, 2012

‘Augmented reality’ comes to the job site

A new software tool derived from virtual reality is helping Building Teams use the power of BIM models more effectively.

| Feb 1, 2012

New ways to work with wood

New products like cross-laminated timber are spurring interest in wood as a structural material.

The interior design includes carpet with 65% recycled content, light fixtures re

| Feb 1, 2012

Blackney Hayes designs school for students with learning differences

The 63,500 sf building allows AIM to consolidate its previous two locations under one roof, with room to expand in the future.

| Feb 1, 2012

Two new research buildings dedicated at the University of South Carolina

The two buildings add 208,000 square feet of collaborative research space to the campus.

One notable newly certified LEED project in 2011 included the Wrigley Building i

| Feb 1, 2012

List of Top 10 States for LEED Green Buildings released?

USGBC releases list of top U.S. states for LEED-certified projects in 2011.

| Feb 1, 2012

ULI and Greenprint Foundation create ULI Greenprint Center for Building Performance

Member-to-member information exchange measures energy use, carbon footprint of commercial portfolios.

| Feb 1, 2012

AEC mergers and acquisitions up in 2011, expected to surge in 2012

Morrissey Goodale tracked 171 domestic M&A deals, representing a 12.5% increase over 2010 and a return to levels not seen since 2007.

Building owners must plan ahead for roof replacement to avoid emergency leak rem

| Jan 31, 2012

AIA CONTINUING EDUCATION: Reroofing primer, in-depth advice from the experts

Earn 1.0 AIA/CES learning units by studying this article and successfully completing the online exam.

The reconstruction of the Modern Theatre revived a city landmark. The project he

| Jan 31, 2012

28th Annual Reconstruction Awards: Modern day reconstruction plays out

A savvy Building Team reconstructs a Boston landmark into a multiuse masterpiece for Suffolk University.

Chapman Construction/Design, based in Newton, Mass., takes pride in its close-kn

| Jan 31, 2012

Chapman Construction/Design: ‘Sustainability is part of everything we do’

Chapman Construction/Design builds a working culture around sustainability—for its clients, and for its employees.

Top Articles

Warehouses

California bill would limit where distribution centers can be built

Laboratories

Traditional lab design doesn't address neurodiverse needs, study finds

Hospital Design Trends

Hospital benchmarking survey shows sharp rise in hospital energy costs

More In Category

Warehouses

California bill would limit where distribution centers can be built

A bill that passed the California legislature would limit where distribution centers can be located and impose other rules aimed at reducing air pollution and traffic. Assembly Bill 98 would tighten building standards for new warehouses and ban heavy diesel truck traffic next to sensitive sites including homes, schools, parks and nursing homes.

Laboratories

Traditional lab design doesn't address neurodiverse needs, study finds

A study conducted by ARC, HOK, and the University of the West of Scotland, has revealed that half (48.1%) of all survey respondents who work in laboratory settings identify as neurodivergent.

Laboratories

BSL conversions: A cost-efficient method to support high-containment research

Some institutions are creating flexible lab spaces that can operate at a BSL-2 and modulate up to a BSL-3 when the need arises. Here are key aspects to consider when accommodating a rapid modulation between BSL-2 and BSL-3 space.

MFPRO+ News

Major Massachusetts housing law aims to build or save 65,000 multifamily and single-family homes

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey recently signed far-reaching legislation to boost housing production and address the high cost of housing in the Bay State. The Affordable Homes Act aims to build or save 65,000 homes through $5.1 billion in spending and 49 policy initiatives.

Most Popular Content