flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Construction economists optimistic about 2014 growth

Construction economists optimistic about 2014 growth

ABC’s quarterly Construction Backlog Indicator (CBI) will be released Aug. 19.


By Associated Builders and Contractors | August 5, 2014
Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Chief Economist Anirban Basu, American Institute of Architects (AIA) Chief Economist Kermit Baker and National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Chief Economist David Crowe provided a collaborative economic forecast combining their expert economic analysis on leading, present and lagging economic indicators.
 
"A combination of low interest rates; wealth effects stemming from a booming stock market and rising home prices; surging energy production; and expanding industrial output has helped position the U.S. economy for more rapid growth during the next several quarters," said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. "This will lead to more robust recovery in the U.S. nonresidential construction industry, which has also been aided by stable materials prices and improving commercial real estate fundamentals. ABC predicts 7 percent nominal nonresidential construction growth in 2014, despite ongoing challenges in the public construction segment."
 
"We continue to have an optimistic outlook for the commercial and industrial sectors for the rest of this year and into 2015," said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. "However, until we see state and local governments ramp up spending for new education, health care and public safety structures there likely won’t be a widespread acceleration in spending for the entire industry."
 
"Economic pick-up in the second quarter was coupled with a return in housing construction," said David Crowe, chief economist for NAHB. "We expect continued modest growth in housing construction as employment rises and more household formations take place. However, continued tight supplies of labor and land will put upward pressure on new home prices."
 
In addition to this forecast, AIA released its latest Architecture Billings Index (ABI) July 23, NAHB released its latest NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) July 16 and ABC’s quarterly Construction Backlog Indicator (CBI) will be released Aug. 19.

Related Stories

| Apr 27, 2012

China Mobile selects Leo A Daly to design three buildings at its new HQ

LEO A DALY, in collaboration with Local Design Institute WDCE, wins competition to design Phase 2, Plot B, of Campus.

| Apr 27, 2012

CSM Group names Comerford as senior project manager

Comerford’s responsibilities include directing and verifying contract compliance by the trade contractors to ensure the owner’s expectations are met in respect to a quality finished project.

| Apr 27, 2012

Hampton Bays Middle School winner of the first National Green Ribbon Schools Program

School was the first LEED-certified public school in the state of New York.

| Apr 26, 2012

USGBC announces inaugural Green Apple Day of Service

On Sept. 29, 2012, participants from all over the world will volunteer to make the schools and campuses in their communities healthier and more sustainable.

| Apr 26, 2012

Gensler's Leiserowitz: Employs holistic philosophy to foster clients' creativity, comfort

Leiserowitz became regional managing principal in Chicago for San Francisco-based architecture and design giant Gensler a little more than a year ago.

| Apr 26, 2012

Blackney Hayes Architects launches new engineering division

The new division, BHH Engineers, will be led by Mark Hershman, PE.

| Apr 26, 2012

Energy efficiency requirements heighten the importance of proper protection for roofing systems

Now more than ever, a well-insulated and well protected roof is critical in new or renovated commercial buildings.

| Apr 26, 2012

Orange County, Fla. high school receives NAIOP “Public Development of the Year” award

School replacement designed by SchenkelShultz Architecture and constructed by Williams Co.

| Apr 25, 2012

Bubble skyscraper design aims to purify drinking water

The Freshwater Skyscraper will address the issue of increasing water scarcity through a process known as transpiration

| Apr 25, 2012

Thornton Tomasetti/Fore Solutions provides consulting for Biologics Support Center

Project receives LEED Gold Certification.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category



Great Solutions

41 Great Solutions for architects, engineers, and contractors

AI ChatBots, ambient computing, floating MRIs, low-carbon cement, sunshine on demand, next-generation top-down construction. These and 35 other innovations make up our 2024 Great Solutions Report, which highlights fresh ideas and innovations from leading architecture, engineering, and construction firms.


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