Construction + Economy

The Architecture Billings Index (ABI) returned to positive territory in September after a slight dip in August, and has seen growth in six of the first nine months of 2015. 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 [...]

NEMA’s Electroindustry Business Conditions Index (EBCI) for current conditions in North America fell 10 points in September, dropping to 42.5. Fifteen percent of panelists reported the business environment facing electrical equipment manufacturers improved in September, while 30% claimed it worsened. Meanwhile, the EBCI for future North American conditions declined modestly to 52.5 in September after [...]

The U.S. Department of Energy reached a significant milestone in bringing the building community together by releasing a common definition of a zero energy building, or what is also referred to as a “net zero energy” or “zero net energy” building. After leading an extensive stakeholder engagement process over the past year and a half, [...]

Construction growth is not only predicted to rise this year to 6%, but is also expected to climb to 7% in 2016, reaching $1.09 billion, the highest total since 2008, unadjusted for inflation, according to the Q315 FMI Construction Outlook. The Q3 FMI Construction Outlook forecasts growth for 17 sectors, across residential, non-residential and non-building [...]

The Architecture Billings Index (ABI) slipped in August after showing mostly healthy business conditions so far this year. 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 August ABI score was 49.1, [...]

The Architecture Billings Index (ABI) is reflecting healthy and sustained demand for design services in nearly all nonresidential project types. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lead time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the July ABI [...]

After improving by more than 20 points in July, NEMA’s Electroindustry Business Conditions Index (EBCI) for current conditions in North America declined by 15 points in August to settle at 52.5. Meanwhile, the EBCI for future North American conditions held steady at 55, following a modest improvement in July. Thirty-five percent of panelists expect business [...]

Residential, industrial and power sector construction has boosted construction spending to its highest projected level in seven years, based on Commerce Department numbers issued in July. Commerce said construction spending rose 0.7% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.08 trillion, the highest level of spending since 2008. Total construction spending has increased 13.7% in [...]

A new 2015 market research report by Research and Markets provides an in-depth evaluation of the architectural services industry in the United States. Sample findings: * In 2011, industry sales were $27 billion. * Over the past 3 years, the industry has grown at an annual rate of 3.5%. * There are 19,731 companies in [...]