AIA Billings Index Numbers Show Significant Improvement In October

Washington, DC – Business conditions at architecture firms remained soft as the fourth quarter of 2025 began but showed definite signs of improvement, according to the latest data from the American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) Architecture Billings Index (ABI).

The ABI score rose to 47.6 in October from 43.3 in September, indicating that while a majority of firms still saw a decline in their billings, the share was smaller than it was last month. Inquiries into new projects also saw their most significant increase in a year and a half. Despite this positive movement, challenges persist as the value of new design contracts decreased again.

“Architecture firms estimate that billings declined modestly this year. Unfortunately, they are not expecting a significant turnaround in 2026,” said Kermit Baker, PhD, AIA Chief Economist. “About a third of firms nationally project that their billings will increase this coming year, and a slightly higher share expect them to remain about the same. Firms with a multifamily specialization are the most optimistic about prospects for 2026.”

Key ABI highlights for October include:

•    Regional averages: Midwest (49.6); South (45.3); Northeast (45.1); West (42.1)
•    Sector index breakdown: multifamily residential (46.8); commercial/industrial (43.9); institutional (46.1); mixed practice (firms that do not have at least half of their billings in any one other category) (44.0)
•    Project inquiries index: 54.8
•    Design contracts index: 47.1

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

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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.