The AIA’s Architectural Billings Index took a nearly three-point jump in August, climbing into positive territory for the first time in five months. The ABI hit 50.2, up from 48.7 in July. A score above 50 indicates an increase in architectural billings.
By region, the South showed greatest strength (52.2), followed by the West (51.2), the Northeast (45.5), and the Midwest (45.3).
Strong categories: multifamily residential (53.0), institutional (50.2), commercial/industrial (47.9), and mixed practice (46.8)
The so-called new projects index was at a relatively healthy 57.2, up from 56.3 the previous month. But AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA, cautions that design activity is likely to alternate between modest growth and modest decline for the foreseeable future. “Until the economy is on firmer ground, there aren’t likely to be strong increases in design services,” he says. +
Related Stories
| Jun 5, 2012
Walker Parking opens office in Abu Dhabi
Walker has been in Abu Dhabi since May 2011 but in a temporary office suite.
| Jun 5, 2012
Glumac hires Drit Shoemaker as new director of business development
Shoemaker will research, connect, and forge new client relationships with architects, developers, owners and brokers while strengthening relationships with current clients.
| Jun 5, 2012
Hoffman Architects Arbuckle elected president of New York/Tri-State DOCOMOMO
As chapter president, Arbuckle will guide and oversee the organization's efforts on behalf of Modern buildings and sites, and he will act as the main spokesperson for the organization.
| Jun 4, 2012
Brownfield goes green
Chicago Center for Green Technology uses high-speed, energy-efficient hand dryers to share its green message and earn LEED credits.
| Jun 4, 2012
KBE Building and CTA Construction awarded Project of the Year from CMAA
Award given for work done on the renovation of Beverly High School in Beverly, Mass.
| Jun 4, 2012
Pressley promoted to Senior VP and CIO at Hill International
Pressley will be responsible for managing all of Hill's information technology systems and software worldwide.
| Jun 4, 2012
Stalco Construction promotes Scott Pavick to chief estimator
Pavick manages the estimating department and is responsible for developing cost estimates and budgets, value engineering, and subcontractor bid evaluation and negotiations.
| Jun 4, 2012
HBD Construction to build new training campus in St. Louis
Larger campus facility will expand training opportunities for plumbers and pipefitters.
| Jun 1, 2012
New BD+C University Course on Insulated Metal Panels available
By completing this course, you earn 1.0 HSW/SD AIA Learning Units.
| Jun 1, 2012
Caruso to lead Gensler’s Asia talent development
Caruso will be based in Shanghai and working with the Gensler offices in Japan, China, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, and India until the spring of 2013.