AIA: Demand For Design Services Accelerated In August
Washington, DC – Demand for design services from U.S. architecture firms grew at an accelerated pace in August, according to a new report from The American Institute of Architects (AIA). AIA’s Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score
for August rose to 53.3 compared to 51.0 in July (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings).
In addition to a rising ABI, the August score for new project inquiries rose to 57.9 from 56.1 the previous month. Conversely, the design contracts score softened slightly with a score of 52.3, down from 52.9 in July.
“While a strengthening billings score is encouraging, the flat scoring across regions and sectors is indicative of a nationwide deceleration over the next several months, said AIA Chief Economist, Kermit Baker, Hon. AIA, PhD. “A variety of
economic storm clouds continue to gather, but since design activity continues to increase, we can expect at least another 9–12-month runway before building construction activity is negatively affected.”
Key ABI highlights for
August include:
• Regional averages: South (52.9); Midwest (51.4); West (50.2); Northeast (49.8)
• Sector index breakdown: multi-family residential (52.0); institutional (52.0); commercial/industrial (51.2); mixed practice (51.2)
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.
About The American Institute Of Architects
For over 150 years, members of the American Institute of Architects have worked with each other and their communities to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings and cityscapes. Members adhere to a code of ethics and professional conduct to ensure the highest standards in professional practice. Embracing their responsibility to serve society, AIA members engage civic and government leaders and the public in helping find needed solutions to pressing issues facing our communities, institutions, nation and world. For more information, visit www.aia.org.