AIA Billings "Healthy and Sustained" in July

Washington, DC, August 20, 2015—The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has reported a "healthy and sustained" Architectural Billings Index (ABI) for the month of July with a score of 54.7.

Though slightly down from a mark of 55.7 in June, the July ABI score reflects an increase in design services within the U.S.

The new projects inquiry index was 63.7, up slightly from a reading of 63.4 the previous month.

“On top of what has been a flurry of design activity in recent months, some architects are reporting a break in the logjam created by clients placing projects on hold for indefinite periods, which bodes well for business conditions in the months ahead,” said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, Hon. AIS, PhD. “There is some uneasiness in the design community that rapid growth in construction costs could escalate beyond development capital and municipal budgets, which could trigger some contraction in the marketplace down the road.”

Regional averages for July were as follows: Midwest, 58.2; South, 55.7; Northeast, 53.5; and West, 53.8.

July’s sector index breakdown was multi-family residential, 49.8; mixed practice, 56.8; commercial/industrial, 53.4; and institutional, 57.3.

Key July ABI Highlights included the project inquiries index with a score of 63.7 and the design contracts index with a score of 54.5.

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