AIA’s Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score for January was 51.0 compared to 51.0* in December (any score over 50 indicates billings growth). Inquiries into new work and the value of new design contracts both remained strong with scores of 61.9 and 56.1 respectively.
“Architecture billings, while remaining at very healthy levels in recent months, have slowed considerably from the middle of last year,” said AIA Chief Economist, Kermit Baker, Hon. AIA, PhD. “This no doubt reflects delays in the construction sector caused by supply challenges for both labor and materials, as well as ongoing staffing constraints at architecture firms.”
Key ABI highlights for January include:
Regional averages: South (61.2); Midwest (51.5); West (47.6); Northeast (46.8)
Sector index breakdown: mixed practice (59.3); commercial/industrial (54.2); multi-family residential (50.1); institutional (47.3)
Project inquiries index: 61.9
Design contracts index: 56.1
The regional and sector categories are calculated as a three-month moving average, whereas the national index, design contracts and inquiries are monthly numbers.
Related Stories
Industry Research | Mar 23, 2022
Architecture Billings Index (ABI) shows the demand for design service continues to grow
Demand for design services in February grew slightly since January, according to a new report today from The American Institute of Architects (AIA).
Codes and Standards | Mar 1, 2022
Engineering Business Sentiment study finds optimism despite growing economic concerns
The ACEC Research Institute found widespread optimism among engineering firm executives in its second quarterly Engineering Business Sentiment study.
Codes and Standards | Feb 24, 2022
Most owners adapting digital workflows on projects
Owners are more deeply engaged with digital workflows than other project team members, according to a new report released by Trimble and Dodge Data & Analytics.
Market Data | Feb 15, 2022
Materials prices soar 20% between January 2021 and January 2022
Contractors' bid prices accelerate but continue to lag cost increases.
Market Data | Feb 4, 2022
Construction employment dips in January despite record rise in wages, falling unemployment
The quest for workers intensifies among industries.
Market Data | Feb 2, 2022
Majority of metro areas added construction jobs in 2021
Soaring job openings indicate that labor shortages are only getting worse.
Market Data | Feb 2, 2022
Construction spending increased in December for the month and the year
Nonresidential and public construction lagged residential sector.
Market Data | Jan 31, 2022
Canada's hotel construction pipeline ends 2021 with 262 projects and 35,325 rooms
At the close of 2021, projects under construction stand at 62 projects/8,100 rooms.
Market Data | Jan 27, 2022
Record high counts for franchise companies in the early planning stage at the end of Q4'21
Through year-end 2021, Marriott, Hilton, and IHG branded hotels represented 585 new hotel openings with 73,415 rooms.
Market Data | Jan 27, 2022
Dallas leads as the top market by project count in the U.S. hotel construction pipeline at year-end 2021
The market with the greatest number of projects already in the ground, at the end of the fourth quarter, is New York with 90 projects/14,513 rooms.