Architecture Billings Index Jumped 6% to 55.0 in November

Washington, DC, December 21, 2017-The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the November Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score was 55.0, up from a score of 51.7 in the previous month. This score reflects an increase in design services provided by U.S. architecture firms (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings).

The new projects inquiry index was 61.1, up from a reading of 60.2 the previous month, while the new design contracts index rose slightly from 52.8 to 53.2.

“Not only are design billings overall seeing their strongest growth of the year, the strength is reflected in all major regions and construction sectors,” said AIA chief economist, Kermit Baker, Hon. AIA, PhD. “The construction industry continues to show surprising momentum heading into 2018.”

The regional averages were as follows: west, 54.8; northeast, 52.8; south, 52.8; and Midwest, 50.4.

Sector index breakdown was multi-family residential, 53.9; mixed practice, 53.6; commercial/industrial, 53.3; and institutional, 52.4.

The project inquiries index was 61.1, and the design contracts index was 53.2.

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