AIA's ABI Score Declines In May, Signaling Deteriorating Conditions For U.S. Architectural Firms

Washington, DC – The AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score declined significantly in May to 42.4, as more firms reported a decrease in billings than the month prior. April's ABI score was 48.3. Anything under 50 represents a decline in conditions.

"The decline in the May ABI score continues a year and a half of weakness in design billings at U.S. architecture firms. However, firms only reported modest declines over the first half of this period,” said Kermit Baker, PhD, AIA Chief Economist. “Over the past nine months, volatility has increased, and scores have softened more significantly, with the May score the weakest reported since the end of the pandemic recession."

The pipeline of new work coming into firms is showing increasing softness. While inquiries into new projects continue to increase, they did so at a slower pace than in recent months. Additionally, architecture firm billings remained soft across all regions and sectors in May. Billings declined at firms in all regions of the country for the fourth consecutive month, as conditions remained weakest at firms located in the Midwest.

The ABI score is a leading economic indicator of construction activity, providing an approximately nine-to-twelve-month glimpse into the future of nonresidential construction spending activity. The score is derived from a monthly survey of architecture firms that measures the change in the number of services provided to clients.

Key ABI highlights for May include:
•    Regional averages: Northeast (47.7); Midwest (41.7); South (46.0); West (46.3)
•    Sector index breakdown: commercial/industrial (48.2); institutional (43.2); mixed practice (firms that do not have at least half of their billings in any one other category) (42.8); multifamily residential (47.3)
•    Project inquiries index: 52.1
•    Design contracts index: 45.6

The regional and sector categories are calculated as three-month moving averages and may not always average out to the national score.

Visit AIA’s website for detailed information about this, and past billing index reports.

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.