Skip to main content

Design billings increasing entering height of construction season

After beginning the year with a marginal decline, the Architecture Billings Index has posted three consecutive months of growth in design revenue at architecture firms. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lead time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the April ABI score was 50.9, down from a score of 54.3 in the previous month. This score still reflects an increase in design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The new projects inquiry index was 60.2, up from a reading of 59.8 the previous month, while the new design contracts index increased from 52.3 to 53.2.

“Probably even better news for the construction outlook is that new project work coming into architecture firms has seen exceptionally strong growth so far this year,” said AIA Chief Economist, Kermit Baker, Hon. AIA, PhD. “In fact, new project activity has pushed up project backlogs at architecture firm to their highest level since the design market began its recovery earlier this decade.”  

Key April ABI highlights:

•           Regional averages: South (55.3), Midwest (53.3), West (50.9), Northeast (50.7)

•           Sector index breakdown: institutional (54.0), mixed practice (53.4), commercial / industrial (52.4), multi-family residential (49.9)

•           Project inquiries index: 60.2

•           Design contracts index: 53.2

The regional and sector categories are calculated as a 3-month moving average, whereas the national index, design contracts and inquiries are monthly numbers.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Cooking Outside the Box - Fine Homebuilding

Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers. Designed by a passionate Dutchman who longed for a more functional kitchen, PITT Cooking’s independent gas burners take kitchen layout to a whole new level. Unlike the fixed grid of burners in a typical cooktop, PITT burners sit in individual holes in a countertop in a custom layout of your choosing (as long as they are at least 3-3/16-in. apart). This lets you match the spacing precisely to the way you cook. Plus you get the striking combination of a professional-grade kitchen with minimalist modern aesthetic. 3 burner sizes: small (2 kW), medium (3 kW), and combined wok/simmer (5 kW) 31 different kits with 1 to 6 burners each Available in aluminum or brass with cast-iron pan supports Burners easily disassemble for cleaning Pricing available on request pittcooking.com PITT Cooking’s wok ring slips right over the 5kW burners to perfectly support round-bottom pots or pans...

The Walk-in Shower Specialists In Los Angeles California

If you wish to look for a walk-in showering system, we're just a call away. We have been the shop to consider if you'd like custom bath and showering systems and we've been a popular choice for more than 12 years. Our designs are elegant and spacious and it could be equipped with popular features that will provide you with a calming spa-like experience every time you hit the shower. You could check out our extensive list of walk-in showers in Los Angeles CA from the best brands like Ella, Sterling and Dreamline and they come in various sizes that will fit any type of bathroom. These brands also provide selections for safety features such as comfortably positioned and easy-to-hold grab-bar, low floor threshold and a high weight supporting seating area. You could enjoy an energizing shower experience with our walk-in shower which can be customized to blend into any theme or background. We are also proud of our installation team because they're friendly and fast. All ...

Right On Hue - Ideas For Incorporating Color In Your Kitchen Remodel - Dover Home Remodelers

Right On Hue. Ideas for incorporating color in your kitchen remodel When it comes to bringing color into the kitchen, many homeowners take an all-or-nothing approach. What I hear most often from customers during the design stage of a kitchen remodel is that their overwhelming fear is committing to a color that will lock them in—and adversely affect resale. But it doesn’t have to be that way. If you’d like to add color to your kitchen, there are options for creatively incorporating your favorite hues into your remodel without being completely landlocked. Start by identifying your color personality and tolerance. Then add color to your space in a way that suits your taste and stays within your comfort zone. The Minimalist. Clean, simple and classic: These homeowners are drawn to the all-white kitchen trend with quartz or marble countertops, white cabinets and white subway tile. Easy (and non-permanent) ways to add contrasting color in these spaces include: Textiles: Kitchen towels...