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

| Jan 9, 2012

METALCON International 2012 announced

METALCON 2012 is scheduled for Oct. 9-11 at the Donald E Stephens Convention Center, Hall A, Rosemont, Ill.

| Jan 9, 2012

Lutron appoints Pessina president

In his 35-year career with Lutron, Pessina has acquired broad experience in the engineering, quality assurance and manufacturing areas.

Allan Kehrt

| Jan 9, 2012

A new journey for KSS Architects co-founder

Kehrt's legacy of projects include Rutgers University's Biomedical Engineering Building, the renovation and expansion of Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, the recent new campus center at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey and Princeton Township's Municipal Complex.

| Jan 8, 2012

TCA releases The Construction of Tilt-Up

The newest publication from the TCA is the second in a planned trilogy of resources covering the architecture, engineering and construction of Tilt-Up

Joel Colwell, AIA

| Jan 8, 2012

WHR Architects promotes Joel Colwell, AIA, to principal

With over 30 years of experience, Colwell has managed large-scale, complex projects for major healthcare systems as well as challenging smaller renovations and additions — all with notable success.

| Jan 8, 2012

3D PDF Converter for Autodesk Revit Labs Edition

Doug Wignall, AIA, RAIC, LEED AP HDR Architecture

| Jan 6, 2012

Doug Wignall named president of HDR Architecture

HDR Architecture, Inc. is known for its award-winning designs for urban environments, campuses and buildings in the healthcare, science and technology, civic, justice and higher education markets.

Gensler served as architect, Balfour Beatty US was the project's contractor, and

| Jan 6, 2012

Gensler unveils restoration and expansion of Houston's Julia Ideson building

The "new" building will serve as a repository of Houston memorabilia and rare archival material as well as the city's official reception space and a venue for exhibits, meetings and other special events.

Walgreen new architectural style

| Jan 6, 2012

New Walgreen's represents an architectural departure

The structure's exterior is a major departure from the corporate image of a traditional Walgreens design.

Summit Design + Build, LLC recently completed the new 12,000-sq. ft. LEED certif

| Jan 6, 2012

Summit Design+Build completes Park Place in Illinois

Summit was responsible for the complete gut and renovation of the former auto repair shop which required the partial demolition of the existing building, while maintaining the integrity of the original 100 year-old structure, and significant re-grading and landscaping of the site.

Top Articles

Products and Materials

5 multifamily tech products for your next project

Sports and Recreational Facilities

In the NIL era, colleges and universities are stepping up their sports facilities game

Codes and Standards

Austin, Texas, adopts AI-driven building permit software

More In Category

Healthcare Facilities

7 design lessons for future-proofing academic medical centers

HOK’s Paul Strohm and Scott Rawlings and Indiana University Health’s Jim Mladucky share strategies for planning and designing academic medical centers that remain impactful for generations to come.

Sports and Recreational Facilities

In the NIL era, colleges and universities are stepping up their sports facilities game

NIL policies have raised expectations among student-athletes about the quality of sports training and performing facilities, in ways that present new opportunities for AEC firms.

Codes and Standards

Austin, Texas, adopts AI-driven building permit software

After a successful pilot program, Austin has adopted AI-driven building permit software to speed up the building permitting process.

Resiliency

U.S. is reducing floodplain development in most areas

The perception that the U.S. has not been able to curb development in flood-prone areas is mostly inaccurate, according to new research from climate adaptation experts. A national survey of floodplain development between 2001 and 2019 found that fewer structures were built in floodplains than might be expected if cities were building at random.

Most Popular Content