Demand for design services in May saw few signs of rebounding following a record drop in billings the month prior, according to a new report today from The American Institute of Architects (AIA).
AIA’s Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score for May was 32.0 compared to 29.5 in April, but still represents a significant decrease in services provided by U.S. architecture firms (any number below 50 indicates a decrease in billings). In May, the decline in new project inquiries and design contract scores moderated from April, posting scores of 38.0 and 33.1 respectively.
“A large portion of the design and construction industry remains mired in steep cutbacks as many businesses and organizations are still trying to figure out what actions make sense in this uncertain economic environment,” said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, Hon. AIA, PhD. “There are growing signs of activity beginning to pick up in some areas, but others are seeing a pause as pandemic concerns continue to grow.”
Key ABI figures for May include:
— Regional averages: West (36.0); South (30.6); Midwest (29.7); Northeast (25.1)
— Sector index breakdown: institutional (35.7); multi-family residential (34.8); mixed practice (28.5); commercial/industrial (24.8)
— Project inquiries index: 38.0
— Design contracts index: 33.1
The regional and sector categories are calculated as a three-month moving average, whereas the national index, design contracts and inquiries are monthly numbers.
Related Stories
Market Data | May 15, 2020
6 must reads for the AEC industry today: May 15, 2020
Nonresidential construction employment sees record loss and Twitter will keep all of its office space.
Market Data | May 15, 2020
Nonresidential construction employment sees record loss in April
The construction unemployment rate was 16.6% in April, up 11.9 percentage points from the same time last year.
Market Data | May 14, 2020
5 must reads for the AEC industry today: May 14, 2020
The good news about rent might not be so good and some hotel developers consider whether to abandon projects.
Market Data | May 13, 2020
House democrats' coronavirus measure provides some relief for contractors, but lacks other steps needed to help construction
Construction official says new highway funding, employee retention credits and pension relief will help, but lack of safe harbor measure, Eextension of unemployment bonus will undermine recovery.
Market Data | May 13, 2020
5 must reads for the AEC industry today: May 13, 2020
How to design resilient libraries in a post-covid world and vacation real-estate markets are 'toast.'
Market Data | May 12, 2020
ABC’s Construction Backlog Indicator falls in April; Contractor Confidence rebounds from historic lows
Nonresidential construction backlog is down 0.4 months compared to the March 2020 ABC survey and 1.7 months from April 2019.
Market Data | May 12, 2020
6 must reads for the AEC industry today: May 12, 2020
A 13-point plan to reduce coronavirus deaths in nursing homes and Bjarke Ingels discusses building on Mars.
Market Data | May 11, 2020
Interest in eSports is booming amid COVID-19
The industry has proved largely immune to the COVID-19 pandemic due to its prompt transition into online formats and sudden spike in interest from traditional sports organizations.
Market Data | May 11, 2020
6 must reads for the AEC industry today: May 11, 2020
Nashville residential tower will rise 416 feet and the construction industry loses 975,000 jobs.
Market Data | May 8, 2020
Construction industry loses 975,000 jobs in April as new association survey shows deteriorating demand for construction projects
Association partner Procore also releases near real-time construction data measuring impacts of coronavirus as association calls for new measures.