Construction + Economy

After starting out the year on a positive note, there was another minor increase in the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) last month. 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 [...]

NEMA’s Electroindustry Business Conditions Index (EBCI) for current conditions in North America rebounded in February, rising to the 50 point mark typically associated with a stable business environment. The gain came on the heels of a sharp drop in the wintery month of January. Confidence in future business conditions strengthened in February for the fifth [...]

After consecutive months of contracting demand for design services, there was a modest uptick in the Architecture Billings Index (ABI), produced by the American Institute of Architects (AIA). 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. AIA reported the [...]

My contribution to the Lighting Controls Association’s blog this month is a summary of indicators of current economic conditions in the construction industry, along with the latest AIA Consensus Construction Forecast. In short, overall nonresidential construction is projected to strongly rebound in 2014. Read it here.

NEMA’s Electroindustry Business Conditions Index (EBCI) for current conditions in North America slipped below the 50-point level typically associated with expansion in January for the first time since October 2012. The index declined for the third straight month, falling to 40.6 from 52.8 in December. On the plus side, confidence in future business conditions again [...]

Following consistently increasing demand for design services throughout most of 2013, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI), produced by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) has posted its first consecutive months of contraction since May and June of 2012. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate 9- to 12-month lead [...]

ARCHITECTURAL LIGHTING recently published an article by Bill Millard about the impact of the recent recession and current recovery on the lighting design profession. He writes: “An accelerated pace of work and a steep learning curve have become common practice for contemporary lighting designers. These demands are only partly the result of new technology, say [...]

After six months of steadily increasing demand for design services, the American Institute of Architects’ Architecture Billings Index (ABI) paused in November. 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 AIA reported the November ABI score was 49.8, [...]

IBISWorld’s Lighting Fixtures Manufacturing Market Research Report (NAICS 33512), published in October 2013, provides an analysis of the commercial and residential luminaire industry. Valuing the industry at $10 billion in sales, the report forecasts growth due to healthy prospects for residential construction and government intervention driving demand for energy-efficient lighting. The four largest manufacturers represent [...]