Construction + Economy

In moving from 72.2 last month to 76.5 in March, the NEMA Electroindustry Business Confidence current conditions index reached its highest level since September 2005. Although some executives remarked on confusion in Washington and flashes of social unrest, signs of a strengthening economy noted by others were apparently widespread among panel members. The share of [...]

The Architecture Billings Index (ABI) dipped slightly into negative territory in January after a very strong showing in December. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate 9- to 12-month lead time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the January ABI score was [...]

NEMA’s Lighting System Shipment Index, a measure of demand for lighting equipment, decreased by 9.7% in 3Q 2016 compared to 3Q 2015 and 4.7% decrease compared to last quarter (2Q 2016). The decrease was driven by all components of the index which includes fixtures, emergency lighting, ballast, and lamp – large and miniature – components [...]

The Lighting Controls Association has published its monthly feature covering major indices and forecasts for the lighting industry and nonresidential construction. Check it out here.

Architects are calling on manufacturers of building products and materials to advance their digital capabilities, as well as their ability to consult and advise customers in the many phases of construction projects, according to a study published by The American Institute of Architects (AIA). The Architect’s Journey to Specification assesses the cultural, technical, and informational [...]

The first of the construction forecasts are rolling in. ConstructConnect did a fairly good analysis of the economic factors driving construction spending and produced a forecast. They’re forecasting growth in put-in-place construction spending in every market in 2017 except industrial/manufacturing, for which they’re predicting a significant decline. Overall, they’re forecasting 5.5% in nonresidential construction spending [...]

Coming off a modest increase after two consecutive months of contraction, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) recorded another small increase in demand for design services. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate 9- to 12-month lead time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) [...]

After seeing consecutive months of contracting demand for the first time in four years, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) saw a modest increase demand for design services. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate 9- to 12-month lead time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of [...]

U.S. architecture firms have experienced a near complete recovery from the Great Recession, which has allowed firm leaders to reinvest profits back into their businesses. These findings, along with an in depth look at topics such as firm billings, staffing, and international work, are covered in the The Business of Architecture: 2016 Firm Survey Report. [...]