Architecture firms continue to report increasing demand for design services in September, according to a new report today from The American Institute of Architects (AIA).
The Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score for September was 56.6, which is up from August’s score of 55.6. Any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings from the prior month. During September, scoring for both the new project inquiries and design contracts moderated slightly, but remained in positive territory, posting scores of 61.8 and 54.7 respectively.
“The ABI scores over the last eight months continue to be among the highest ever seen in the immediate post-recession periods that have been captured throughout the index’s history,” said AIA Chief Economist, Kermit Baker, Hon. AIA, PhD. “However, it’s unlikely that revenue increases at architecture firms can sustain this pace. Given that growth in both new design contracts and project inquiries have moderated in recent months, we expect to see a similar path for the ABI.”
Key ABI highlights for September include:
• Regional averages: Midwest (57.7); South (57.0); West (56.0); Northeast (51.5)
• Sector index breakdown: mixed practice (58.8); commercial/industrial (58.1); multi-family residential (56.1); institutional (53.5)
The regional and sector categories are calculated as a three-month moving average, whereas the national index, design contracts and inquiries are monthly numbers.
Visit AIA’s website for more ABI information.
Related Stories
Market Data | Jun 11, 2021
The countries with the most green buildings
As the country that set up the LEED initiative, the US is a natural leader in constructing green buildings.
Market Data | Jun 7, 2021
Construction employment slips by 20,000 in May
Seasonally adjusted construction employment in May totaled 7,423,000.
Market Data | Jun 2, 2021
Construction employment in April lags pre-covid February 2020 level in 107 metro areas
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land and Odessa, Texas have worst 14-month construction job losses.
Market Data | Jun 1, 2021
Nonresidential construction spending decreases 0.5% in April
Spending was down on a monthly basis in nine of 16 nonresidential subcategories.
Market Data | Jun 1, 2021
Nonresidential construction outlays drop in April to two-year low
Public and private work declines amid supply-chain woes, soaring costs.
Market Data | May 24, 2021
Construction employment in April remains below pre-pandemic peak in 36 states and D.C.
Texas and Louisiana have worst job losses since February 2020, while Utah and Idaho are the top gainers.
Market Data | May 19, 2021
Design activity strongly increases
Demand signals construction is recovering.
Multifamily Housing | May 18, 2021
Multifamily housing sector sees near record proposal activity in early 2021
The multifamily sector led all housing submarkets, and was third among all 58 submarkets tracked by PSMJ in the first quarter of 2021.
Market Data | May 18, 2021
Grumman|Butkus Associates publishes 2020 edition of Hospital Benchmarking Survey
The report examines electricity, fossil fuel, water/sewer, and carbon footprint.
Market Data | May 13, 2021
Proliferating materials price increases and supply chain disruptions squeeze contractors and threaten to undermine economic recovery
Producer price index data for April shows wide variety of materials with double-digit price increases.