Oct. 7, 2014: Construction Activity Index Continues to Show Strength
Institutional Sector Posts Largest Gain Since 2007
WASHINGTON — On the heels of recording its strongest pace of growth since 2007, there continues to be a high level of demand for design services signaled in the latest Architecture Billings Index (ABI). A leading economic indicator of construction activity, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the August ABI score was 53, down from 55.8 in July. This score reflects an increase in design activity (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The new projects inquiry index was 62.6, following a very strong mark of 66 the previous month.
The AIA has also added a new indicator measuring the trends in new design contracts at architecture firms that can provide a strong signal of the direction of future architecture billings. The score for design contracts in August was 56.9.