A new report from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) reports that demand for design services from U.S. architecture firms grew at an accelerated pace in August. The Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score for August 2022 increased to 53.3 from July’s score of 51.0, as firms report an increase in billings. Any score above 50 […]

Information from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) shows that architecture firms reported increasing demand for design services in June, according to the Architectural Billings Index (ABI). The ABI score for June was 53.2, which is down slightly from May’s score of 53.5. It still indicates moderately strong business conditions overall, as any score above […]

According to a new report this week from the American Institute of Architects (AIA), demand for design services grew slightly between January and February. AIA’s Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score for February was 51.3, up from a score of 51.0 in January. Any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings. Firms reported both project […]

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has reported that architecture firms began 2022 with a slight improvement in business conditions. AIA’s Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score for January was 51.0. Scores over 50 indicate billings growth. Inquiries into new work and the value of new design contracts both remained strong with scores of 61.9 and […]

Well, dear readers, it’s almost November, and what a strange ride it’s been since we commenced this COVID-induced journey in March 2020. Journey/nightmare … whatever you want to call it—both words apply. Yes, sales are up—way up, but along with that comes supply chain nightmares, logistical challenges, and a non-existent labor pool, the likes of […]

A new report from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) indicates architecture firms continued to report increasing demand for design services in September. The Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score for September was 56.6, which is up from August’s score of 55.6. Any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings from the prior month. In […]

Annual predictions surrounding housing starts and remodeling activity always include a mix of good and bad news. Perhaps remodeling activity was strong, but housing starts were stagnant. Often, economists would point to the future, even a year or two out, and have some end in sight—a sign of hope. This year, when Kermit Baker, chief […]

After a subdued period led by supply chain issues and inflated pricing for materials, numerous indicators for home building and builder confidence rebounded in recent weeks, filing in with architectural billings. The Architecture Billings Index (ABI) recorded its seventh consecutive positive month, according to the American Institute of Architects (AIA). The ABI score for August […]

Two leading indicators for construction forecasting registered opposing measures last week—one pointing to a downturn in builder confidence, while the other indicates more construction projects could be on the way for multifamily. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) announced that builder confidence reached a 13-month low, according to the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index […]

While the U.S. economy shrank by 3.5% in 2020, spending on home improvements and repairs grew more than 3%, to nearly $420 billion, as households modified living spaces in response to COVID-19. This is according to Improving America’s Housing 2021, a new report released last week by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. “From 2010 […]