flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Architecture Billings Index continues its streak of soft readings

Market Data

Architecture Billings Index continues its streak of soft readings

Decline in new design contracts suggests volatility in design activity to persist.


By AIA | August 21, 2019

Courtesy AIA

Demand for design services in July remained essentially flat in comparison to the previous month, according to a new report released today from The American Institute of Architects (AIA).

AIA’s Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score of 50.1 in July showed a small increase in design services since June, which was a score of 49.1. Any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings. In July, the design contracts score dipped into negative territory for the first time in almost a year. Additionally, July billings softened in all regions except the West, and at firms of all specializations except multifamily residential.

“The data is not the same as what we saw leading up to the last economic downturn but the continued, slowing across the board will undoubtedly impact architecture firms and the broader construction industry in the coming months,” said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. “A growing number of architecture firms are reporting that the ongoing volatility in the trade situation, the stock market, and interest rates are causing some of their clients to proceed more cautiously on current projects.”

 

Key ABI highlights for July include:

— Regional averages: West (51.2); Midwest (48.9); South (48.3); Northeast (48.3)

— Sector index breakdown: multi-family residential (50.6); institutional (49.8); commercial/industrial (49.2); mixed practice (48.9)

— Project inquiries index: 54.9

— Design contracts index: 49.0

Related Stories

Industry Research | Jun 26, 2017

Time to earn an architecture license continues to drop

This trend is driven by candidates completing the experience and examination programs concurrently and more quickly.

Industry Research | Jun 22, 2017

ABC's Construction Backlog Indicator rebounds in 2017

The first quarter showed gains in all categories.

Market Data | Jun 21, 2017

Design billings maintain solid footing, strong momentum reflected in project inquiries/design contracts

Balanced growth results in billings gains in all sectors. 

Market Data | Jun 16, 2017

Residential construction was strong, but not enough, in 2016

The Joint Center for Housing Studies’ latest report expects minorities and millennials to account for the lion’s share of household formations through 2035.

Industry Research | Jun 15, 2017

Commercial Construction Index indicates high revenue and employment expectations for 2017

USG Corporation (USG) and U.S. Chamber of Commerce release survey results gauging confidence among industry leaders.

Market Data | Jun 2, 2017

Nonresidential construction spending falls in 13 of 16 segments in April

Nonresidential construction spending fell 1.7% in April 2017, totaling $696.3 billion on a seasonally adjusted, annualized basis, according to analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data released today by Associated Builders and Contractors.

Industry Research | May 25, 2017

Project labor agreement mandates inflate cost of construction 13%

Ohio schools built under government-mandated project labor agreements (PLAs) cost 13.12 percent more than schools that were bid and constructed through fair and open competition.

Market Data | May 24, 2017

Design billings increasing entering height of construction season

All regions report positive business conditions.

Market Data | May 24, 2017

The top franchise companies in the construction pipeline

3 franchise companies comprise 65% of all rooms in the Total Pipeline.

Industry Research | May 24, 2017

These buildings paid the highest property taxes in 2016

Office buildings dominate the list, but a residential community climbed as high as number two on the list.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category


Contractors

Nonresidential construction spending decreased 0.2% in June

National nonresidential construction spending declined 0.2% in June, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data published today by the U.S. Census Bureau. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, nonresidential spending totaled $1.21 trillion. Nonresidential construction has expanded 5.3% from a year ago.



Construction Costs

Data center construction costs for 2024

Gordian’s data features more than 100 building models, including computer data centers. These localized models allow architects, engineers, and other preconstruction professionals to quickly and accurately create conceptual estimates for future builds. This table shows a five-year view of costs per square foot for one-story computer data centers. 

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

Â