left shadow main shadow main shadow
main shadow
Ld logo
Professional Ligting top_banner
Home top navigation Jobs/Events/News top navigation Catalogs top navigation Manufacturers top navigation Lighting Products top navigation Newsletter Sign-Up top navigation Apps_Blogs top navigation Lighting Feeds
Subpage Top Grad
Indoor Lighting
Left Navigation
Outdoor Lighting
Left Navigation
LED Lighting
Left Navigation
Ballast/Transformers
Left Navigation
Controls
Left Navigation
Lamps/LED
Left Navigation
Emergency/Exit
Left Navigation
Site Sponsors
Sponsors Images
Sponsors Images
Sponsors Images
Sponsors Images
Sponsors Images
Sponsors Images
Sponsors Images
Sponsors Images
Sponsors Images
Sponsors Images
Sponsors Images
Sponsors Images
Sponsors Images
Sponsors Images
Sponsors Images
Sponsors Images
Sponsors Images
Sponsors Images
Sponsors Images
Sponsors Images
Sponsors Images
Sponsors Images
Sponsors Images
Sponsors Images
Sponsors Images
Industry News
Architecture Billings Index Is Positive For First Time In Over Two Years
October 20, 2010

For the first time since January 2008, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) indicated a growth in design activity in September, increasing for the fourth straight month. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the September ABI score was 50.4, up from a reading of 48.2 the previous month. This score reflects an increase in demand for design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The new projects inquiry index was also up sharply, moving from 54.6 to 62.3 – the highest mark since July 2007.

“This is certainly encouraging news, but we will need to see consistent improvement over the next few months in order to feel comfortable about the state of the design and construction industry,” said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. “While there has been increasing demand for design services, it is happening at a slow rate and there continue to be other obstacles that are preventing a more accelerated recovery. Still, the strong upturn in design activity in the commercial and industrial sector certainly suggests that this upturn can possibly be sustained.”

Key September ABI highlights:

-Regional averages: Northeast (56.7), Midwest (51.0), South (47.0), West (44.5)

-Sector index breakdown: commercial / industrial (56.3), institutional (47.9), multi-family residential (47.0), mixed practice (44.2)

-Project inquiries index: 62.3

About the AIA Architecture Billings Index
The Architecture Billings Index is derived from a monthly “Work-on-the-Boards” survey and produced by the AIA Economics & Market Research Group. Based on a comparison of data compiled since the survey’s inception in 1995 with figures from the Department of Commerce on Construction Put in Place, the findings amount to a leading economic indicator that provides an approximately nine to twelve month glimpse into the future of nonresidential construction activity. The diffusion indexes contained in the full report are derived from a monthly survey sent to a panel of AIA member-owned firms. Participants are asked whether their billings increased, decreased, or stayed the same in the month that just ended. According to the proportion of respondents choosing each option, a score is generated, which represents an index value for each month. The regional and sector data is formulated using a three-month moving average.


About The American Institute of Architects
For over 150 years, members of the American Institute of Architects have worked with each other and their communities to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings and cityscapes. By using sustainable design practices, materials, and techniques, AIA architects are uniquely poised to provide the leadership and guidance needed to provide solutions to address climate change. AIA architects walk the walk on sustainable design. Visit www.aia.org. Twitter: http://twitter.com/AIA_Media

 

Trans
Banners
Banners
Trans
Trans
Main Shadow Right
Main Shadow Left
Indoor Lighting  |   Outdoor Lighting  |   LED Lighting  |   Ballast/Transformers  |   Controls  |   Lamps/LED  |   Emergency/Exit  |   Manufacturers  |   Lighting Products  |   Events  |   Jobs  |   Industry News  |   New Catalogs  |   Site Map  |   Advertising Information
LIGHTDIRECTORY - LightDirectory.com, P.O. Box 795, Oswego, IL 60543.
Trans
Main Shadow Right