May 2009 AIA Billings Index Shows No Significant Improvement in Business

There has been a recent moderation in the downturn in design services billings, but the American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) Architecture Billings Index (ABI) reveals that an economic recovery has stalled.

As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate 9- to 12-month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending.

AIA reported the May ABI rating was 42.9, nearly identical to the 42.8 mark in April. This score still indicates an overall decline in demand for design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The new projects inquiry score was 55.2, the third straight month with a score in the mid-50s.

“The design and construction marketplace is extremely competitive right now,” said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. “Prospective clients are casting a wider net causing numerous firms to bid for the same project, which is why the high level of inquiries is not necessarily translating into additional billings for project work at many firms.”

Key May ABI highlights:

Regional averages: Northeast (48.3), Midwest (41.5), South (41.3), West (39.4)

Sector index breakdown: multi-family residential (45.5), mixed practice (44.5), commercial / industrial (43.1), institutional (38.0)

Project inquiries index: 55.2

Craig DiLouie

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