Inquiries Into New Projects Up Modestly In AIA's Latest Billings Survey

Washington, DC – The American Institute of Architects' AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score for November was 45.3, marking the 13th consecutive month of declining billings at architecture firms, and the 35th month of a score below 50 out of the last 38.

Inquiries into new projects did increase modestly, but the value of newly signed design contracts continued to soften. Firms are unlikely to see a significant increase in billings until work in the pipeline resumes.

“Weakness in business conditions at architecture firms continues to be widespread, with declining billings across all major specializations and in every region except the Midwest,” said Kermit Baker, PhD, AIA Chief Economist. “However, inquiries for new projects continued to increase, and design activity at firms in the Midwest – a region that traditionally has had a disproportionate share of manufacturing activity – appears to have hit its bottom for this cycle and is expected to continue to improve.”

Key ABI highlights for November include:
•    Regional averages: Midwest (52.3); South (46.1); West (43.6); Northeast (43.1)
•    Sector index breakdown: institutional (47.6); multifamily residential (46.6); commercial/industrial (45.2); mixed practice (firms that do not have at least half of their billings in any one other category) (44.5)
•    Project inquiries index: 51.4
•    Design contracts index: 42.7

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

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.