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
| Dec 20, 2011
BCA’s Best Practices in New Construction available online
This publicly available document is applicable to most building types and distills the long list of guidelines, and longer list of tasks, into easy-to-navigate activities that represent the ideal commissioning process.
| Dec 20, 2011
Aragon Construction leading build-out of foursquare office
The modern, minimalist build-out will have elements of the foursquare “badges” in different aspects of the space, using glass, steel, and vibrantly painted gypsum board.
| Dec 20, 2011
HOAR Construction opens Austin, Texas office
Major projects in central Texas spur firm’s growth.
| Dec 19, 2011
HGA renovates Rowing Center at Cornell University
Renovation provides state-of-the-art waterfront facility.
| Dec 19, 2011
Chicago’s Aqua Tower wins international design award
Aqua was named both regional and international winner of the International Property Award as Best Residential High-Rise Development.
| Dec 19, 2011
Summit Design+Build selected as GC for Chicago recon project
The 130,000 square foot building is being completely renovated.
| Dec 19, 2011
USGBC welcomes new board directors?
Board responsible for articulating and upholding the vision, values, mission of organization.
| Dec 19, 2011
Davis Construction breaks ground on new NIAID property
The new offices will total 490,998 square feet in a 10-story building with two wings of 25,000 square feet each.
| Dec 19, 2011
Survey: Job growth driving demand for office and industrial real estate in Southern California
Annual USC Lusk Center for Real Estate forecast reveals signs of slow market recovery.
| Dec 16, 2011
Goody Clancy-designed Informatics Building dedicated at Northern Kentucky University
The sustainable building solution, built for approximately $255-sf, features innovative materials and intelligent building systems that align with the mission of integration and collaboration.