Architecture Billings Index in US upticks in November

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported this week that after coming off a modest increase after two consecutive months of contraction, the U.S. focused Architecture Billings Index (ABI) recorded another small increase in demand for design services. The November ABI score was 50.6, essentially unchanged from the mark of 50.8 in the previous month. This score reflects a slight increase in design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings).  The new projects inquiry index was 59.5, up from a reading of 55.4 the previous month. "Without many details of the policies proposed, it's still too early to tell the likely impact of the programs of the new administration," said AIA Chief Economist, Kermit Baker, Hon. AIA, PhD. "However, architects will be among the first to see what new construction projects materialize and what current ones get delayed or cancelled, so the coming months should tell us a lot about the future direction of the construction market." Key November 2016 ABI highlights:

• Regional averages: South (51.3), Midwest (50.9), Northeast (50.8), West (48.6)

• Sector index breakdown:  multi-family residential (51.7), mixed practice (51.3), commercial / industrial (50.4), institutional (49.5)

• Project inquiries index: 59.5

• Design contracts index: 50.2

Viewed 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.