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

| Dec 9, 2011

BEST AEC FIRMS 2011: EYP Architecture & Engineering

Expertise-Driven Design: At EYP Architecture & Engineering, growing the business goes hand in hand with growing the firm’s people.

| Dec 8, 2011

Keast & Hood Co. part of Statue of Liberty renovation team

Keast & Hood Co., is the structural engineer-of-record for the year-long $27.25 million renovation of the Statue of Liberty. 

| Dec 8, 2011

HDR opens office in Shanghai

The office, located in the Chong Hing Finance Center in Shanghai’s busy Huangpu District, will support HDR’s design efforts throughout Asia. 

| Dec 8, 2011

HOK elevates the green office standard

Firm achieves LEED Platinum certification in New York office that overlooks Bryant Park.

| Dec 7, 2011

ACE Mentor Program receives Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Math and Engineering Mentoring

Thornton Tomasetti founding principal Charles H. Thornton responsible for launching ACE.

| Dec 7, 2011

NSF International qualifies first wallcoverings distributor to the New American National Standard for Sustainable Wallcoverings

TRI-KES demonstrates leadership in environmental stewardship as the first distributor to earn qualification.

| Dec 7, 2011

DPR Foundation awards $590,000 to youth organizations

Grants will fund programs for disadvantaged kids across six states.

| Dec 7, 2011

Autodesk agrees to acquire Horizontal Systems

Acquisition extends and accelerates cloud-based BIM solutions for collaboration, data, and lifecycle management.

| Dec 7, 2011

ICS Builders and BKSK Architects complete St. Hilda’s House in Manhattan

The facility's design highlights the inherent link between environmental consciousness and religious reverence.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

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.




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