AIA Billings Index Rebounded in September

Washington, DC, October 22, 2015—The Architecture Billings Index (ABI) returned to positive territory with a score of 53.7 after a slight dip in August, where it fell to 49.1, and has seen growth in six of the nine months of the year so far, according to the American Institute of Architects.

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 new projects inquiry index was 61.0, down from a reading of 61.8 the previous month.

“Aside from uneven demand for design services in the Northeast, all regions are project sectors are in good shape,” said AIA chief economist Kermit Baker, Hon. AIA, PhD. “Areas of concern are shifting to supply issues for the industry, including volatility in building materials costs, a lack of a deep enough talent pool to keep up with demand, as well as a lack of contractors to execute design work.”

For September, key regional averages were South, 54.5; Midwest, 54.2; West, 51.7; and Northeast, 43.7.

The sector index breakdown was as follows, mixed practice, 52.6; institutional 51.5; commercial / industrial, 50.9; multi-family residential, 49.5.

The project inquiries index was 61.0, and the design contracts index was 53.2.

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