Washington, D.C.- based American Institute of Architects (AIA) announced Wednesday that the Architecture Billing Index (ABI) indicated a growth in design activity in September, for the first time since January 2008.
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 AIA reported the September ABI score was 50.4, up from a reading of 48.2 the previous month, reflecting an increase in demand for design services. The new projects inquiry index was also up sharply, moving from 54.6 to 62.3 - the highest mark since July 2007.
AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD. commented that "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."