With all geographic regions and building project sectors showing positive conditions, there continues to be a heightened level of demand for design services signaled in the latest Architecture Billings Index (ABI). As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lead time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the August ABI score was 53.7, up from a score of 51.9 in the previous month. This score reflects an increase in design services provided by U.S. architecture firms (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The new projects inquiry index was 62.5, up from a reading of 59.5 the previous month, while the new design contracts index eased somewhat from 56.4 to 54.2.
“The August results continue a string of very positive readings from the design professions, pointing to future healthy growth across the major construction sectors, as well as across the major regions of the country,” said AIA Chief Economist, Kermit Baker, Hon. AIA, PhD. “Given the focus and discussions around the infrastructure needs of the nation, we expect strong growth in design activity for the coming months and years.”
View this press release online here: https://www.aia.org/pres
Key August ABI highlights:
• Regional averages: South (55.7), Northeast (54.3), Midwest (52.5), West (51.3)
• Sector index breakdown: commercial / industrial (57.6), multi-family residential (53.8), mixed practice (52.5), institutional (50.1)
• Project inquiries index: 62.5
• Design contracts index: 54.2
The regional and sector categories are calculated as a 3-month moving average, whereas the national index, design contracts and inquiries are monthly numbers.
Related Stories
Market Data | Apr 30, 2020
The U.S. Hotel Construction pipeline continued to expand year-over-year despite COVID-19 in the first quarter of 2020
Many open or temporarily closed hotels have already begun or are in the planning stages of renovating and repositioning their assets while occupancy is low or non-existent.
Market Data | Apr 29, 2020
5 must reads for the AEC industry today: April 29, 2020
A new Human performance Center and Construction employment declines in 99 metro areas.
Market Data | Apr 29, 2020
Construction employment declines in 99 metro areas in March from 2019
Industry officials call for new state and federal funding to add jobs.
Market Data | Apr 28, 2020
5 must reads for the AEC industry today: April 28, 2020
A virtual 'city-forest' to help solve population density challenges and planning for life in cities after the pandemic.
Market Data | Apr 27, 2020
5 must reads for the AEC industry today: April 27, 2020
Colleges begin building campus eSports arenas and PCL Construction rolls out portable coronavirus testing centers.
Market Data | Apr 24, 2020
6 must reads for the AEC industry today: April 24, 2020
Take a virtual tour of Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House and Construction Contractor Confidence plummets.
Market Data | Apr 23, 2020
Construction Contractor Confidence plummets in February
As of February 2020, fewer than 30% of contractors expected their sales to increase over the next six months.
Market Data | Apr 23, 2020
5 must reads for the AEC industry today: April 23, 2020
The death of the department store and how to return to work when the time comes.
Market Data | Apr 22, 2020
6 must reads for the AEC industry today: April 22, 2020
Repurposed containers can be used as rapid response airborne infection isolation rooms and virtual site visits help control infection on project sites.
Market Data | Apr 21, 2020
ABC's Construction Backlog Indicator down in February
Backlog for firms working in the infrastructure segment rose by 1.3 months in February while backlog for commercial and institutional and heavy industrial firms declined by 0.6 months and 0.7 months, respectively.