Construction + Economy

The business environment has improved markedly since December 2009, according to electrical equipment manufacturers polled in NEMA’s most recent business confidence survey. The Electroindustry Business Confidence Index (EBCI) for current North American conditions rose sharply in March 2010 for a third straight month, increasing 7.2 points to 71.7–its highest level since May 2004. Nonetheless, though [...]

Construction spending during February 2010 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $846.2 billion, 1.3% lower than the revised January 2010 estimate of $857.8 billion and 12.8% below the February 2009 estimate of $970.4 billion, according to new Commerce Department figures. (Note these are estimates and subject to change over the next several [...]

A new program to inform building owners and operators, tenants and prospective buyers on the energy use of buildings, similar to a nutrition label on food or miles per gallon ratings on cars, has recently been launched to encourage the building industry to find ways to cut energy use and costs. The Building Energy Quotient [...]

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Following a drop of nearly three points, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) nudged up almost two points in February. 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. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the February ABI rating was [...]

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Construction spending during January 2010 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $884.1 billion, 0.6% lower than the revised December 2009 estimate of $889.6 billion and 9.3% below the January 2009 estimate of $974.3 billion, according to new Commerce Department figures. (Note these are estimates and subject to change over the next several [...]

Beginning its third year of negative conditions, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) had a drop of almost three points in January. 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. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the January ABI [...]

A new standard for the design of high-performance green buildings is set to revolutionize the building industry. Published by ASHRAE in conjunction with IES and the U.S. Green Building Council, Standard 189.1, Standard for the Design of High-Performance, Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, is the first code-intended commercial green building standard in the United [...]