Design Billings Keep Climbing: AIA

Architecture firms in the U.S. remain in positive territory, as demand for design services rose again in September, according to the American Institute of Architects’ latest Architecture Billings Index. The ABI score increased one full point month-over-month, going from 55.6 in August to 56.6 in September.

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According to Kermit Baker, chief economist with the American Institute of Architects, the ABI scores over the last eight months continue to be among the highest ever seen in the immediate post-recession periods that have been captured throughout the index’s history, underscoring just how strong the bounce back has been this year following the abrupt downturn in 2020.

ABI, National, September 2021. Chart courtesy of the American Institute of Architects

Over the last year, the ABI score dropped as low as 42.3 in December 2020, highlighting the challenging times, as scores below 50 signify a decrease in billings growth. However, the ABI score finally surpassed 50 in February 2021, when it jumped more than eight points month-over-month to 53.3. The figure has remained above 50 ever since.

Regional and sector disparities

Billings in the Midwest outpaced all other regions with a score of 57.7, an increase from its second-place score of 55.2 in August. The West, which held the first-place position last month with a score of 57.2, dropped to a third-place score of 56 in September. The South saw its billings rise to second place with a score of 57. The Northeast, however, continued to hold the last-place position and even saw its billings decrease a bit, dropping from 51.7 in August to 51.5 in September.

ABI, Regional, September 2021. Chart courtesy of the American Institute of Architects

September brought changes at the sector level as well. Firms with a focus on residential projects recorded a month-over-month score increase from 54.3 to 56.1, pushing the sector up from third place in August to second place in September. The notable increase in residential billings, however, left firms that focus on institutional projects in last place with a score of 53.5. Architectural firms that engage predominantly in commercial/industrial projects remained on top as the score increased from 54.7 to 58.1.

More of the same…for now

The future remains bright for the architecture industry, as firms indicate that they have an ample pipeline of projects. Furthermore, firms are still seeing a solid level of inquiries into new projects despite some moderation, and they report that the value of new design contracts is maintaining its strength. But the increasingly positive trend in ABI scores is not destined to last for the long term.

ABI, Sector, September 2021. Chart courtesy of the American Institute of Architects

Baker noted in the report that it’s unlikely that revenue increases at architecture firms can sustain this pace. “Given that growth in both new design contracts and project inquiries have moderated in recent months, we expect to see a similar path for the ABI,” he added.

Read the full report by the American Institute of Architects.