Architecture Billings Index positive for third straight month

Billings at architecture firms accelerated to their strongest pace of growth since December 2010. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending.

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the October ABI score was 52.8, up from the mark of 51.6 in September. This score reflects an increase in demand for design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The new projects inquiry index was 59.4, compared to a mark of 57.3 the previous month.

“With three straight monthly gains – and the past two being quite strong – it’s beginning to look like demand for design services has turned the corner,” said AIA Chief Economist, Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. “With 2012 winding down on an upnote, and with the national elections finally behind us, there is a general sense of optimism. However, this is balanced by a tremendous amount of anxiety and uncertainty in the marketplace, which likely means that we’ll have a few more bumps before we enter a full-blown expansion.”

Key October ABI highlights:

Regional averages: South (52.8), Northeast (52.6), West (51.8), Midwest (50.8)
Sector index breakdown: multi-family residential (59.6), mixed practice (52.4), institutional (51.4), commercial / industrial (48.0)
Project inquiries index: 59.4

The regional and sector categories are calculated as a three-month moving average, whereas the index and inquiries are monthly numbers. +

(2.25.22) Alyson Steele, FAIA, LEED AP, has been elected president and chief executive officer of Quinn Evans, a nationally recognized firm providing architecture, planning, interior design, landscape architecture, and historic preservation services. Steele has been with the firm since 1997 and previously served as executive vice president and chief design officer. She succeeds Larry Barr, FAIA, who will continue to serve on the board of directors.

Architects | Feb 28, 2022

JLL continues expansion in Southwest with acquisition of San Diego’s Gilliland Construction Management

JLL announced that it has completed the acquisition of Gilliland Construction Management, a leader in project and construction management services for life sciences, lab, retail, hospitality, industrial, multifamily, and office properties.

Codes and Standards | Feb 24, 2022

Most owners adapting digital workflows on projects

Owners are more deeply engaged with digital workflows than other project team members, according to a new report released by Trimble and Dodge Data & Analytics.

Multifamily Housing | Feb 24, 2022

First new, mixed-use high-rise in Detroit’s central business district in nearly 30 years opens

City Club Apartments completed two multifamily projects in 2021 in downtown Detroit including the first new, mixed-use high-rise in Detroit’s central business district in nearly 30 years.

| Feb 24, 2022

Signs of ‘Antiwork’ appear in the architecture industry

Reddit's r/Antiwork forum highlights the mounting pressures everyday workers face in a purely capitalistic society. AEC industry professionals are not immune to these pressures.

Office Buildings | Feb 23, 2022

The Beam on Farmer, Arizona’s first mass timber, multi-story office building tops out

The Beam on Farmer, Arizona’s first mass timber, multi-story office building, topped out on Feb. 10, 2022.

Codes and Standards | Feb 21, 2022

More bad news on sea level rise for U.S. coastal areas

A new government report predicts sea levels in the U.S. of 10 to 12 inches higher by 2050, with some major cities on the East and Gulf coasts experiencing damaging floods even on sunny days.

Wood | Feb 18, 2022

$2 million mass timber design competition: Building to Net-Zero Carbon (entries due March 30!)

To promote construction of tall mass timber buildings in the U.S., the Softwood Lumber Board (SLB) and USDA Forest Service (USDA) have joined forces on a competition to showcase mass timber’s application, commercial viability, and role as a natural climate solution.