Architecture Billings Grow for Fifth Month

Washington, DC, April 19, 2012 – The commercial sector continues to lead the Architecture Billings Index, which remained in positive territory for the fifth consecutive month in March.

AIA said the March ABI score was 50.4, following a mark of 51.0 in February, reflecting a slight increase in demand for design services.Any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings.

The new projects inquiry index was 56.6, down from mark of 63.4 the previous month.

“We are starting to hear more about improving conditions in the marketplace, with a greater sense of optimism that there will be greater demand for design services,” said AIA chief economist Kermit Baker.

“But that is not across the board and there are still a number of architecture firms struggling so progress is likely to be measured in inches rather than miles for the next few months.”

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