The Architecture Billings Index rose more than two points to 54.2 last month, compared to 52 in November, said the trade association in a news release. A score above 50 indicates an increase in demand for design services and an increase in billings.
And the new projects inquiry index also rose to 62.6 in December, compared to 61.4 in the previous month.
“This is more promising news that the design and construction industry is continuing to move toward a recovery,” said Kermit Baker, AIA’s chief economist. “However, historically December is the most unpredictable month from a business standpoint, and therefore the most difficult month from which to interpret a trend. The coming quarter will give us a much better sense of the strength of the apparent upturn in design activity. ”
Three of the four regions of the country saw index scores above 50: Northeast at 55.3; South at 54.8; Midwest at 52.9; and West at 48.4.
Multifamily had the strongest index score in December, registering at 60.1. That was followed by commercial and industrial at 52.7, institutional at 50.6 and mixed-use at 47.8.
The American Institute of Architects said a key economic indicator for the architecture and construction industries rose for the second consecutive month in December.
The Architecture Billings Index rose more than two points to 54.2 last month, compared to 52 in November, said the trade association in a news release. A score above 50 indicates an increase in demand for design services and an increase in billings.
And the new projects inquiry index also rose to 62.6 in December, compared to 61.4 in the previous month.
“This is more promising news that the design and construction industry is continuing to move toward a recovery,” said Kermit Baker, AIA’s chief economist. “However, historically December is the most unpredictable month from a business standpoint, and therefore the most difficult month from which to interpret a trend. The coming quarter will give us a much better sense of the strength of the apparent upturn in design activity. ”
Three of the four regions of the country saw index scores above 50: Northeast at 55.3; South at 54.8; Midwest at 52.9; and West at 48.4.
Multifamily had the strongest index score in December, registering at 60.1. That was followed by commercial and industrial at 52.7, institutional at 50.6 and mixed-use at 47.8."
The Architecture Billings Index rose more than two points to 54.2 last month, compared to 52 in November, said the trade association in a news release. A score above 50 indicates an increase in demand for design services and an increase in billings.
And the new projects inquiry index also rose to 62.6 in December, compared to 61.4 in the previous month.
“This is more promising news that the design and construction industry is continuing to move toward a recovery,” said Kermit Baker, AIA’s chief economist. “However, historically December is the most unpredictable month from a business standpoint, and therefore the most difficult month from which to interpret a trend. The coming quarter will give us a much better sense of the strength of the apparent upturn in design activity. ”
Three of the four regions of the country saw index scores above 50: Northeast at 55.3; South at 54.8; Midwest at 52.9; and West at 48.4.
Multifamily had the strongest index score in December, registering at 60.1. That was followed by commercial and industrial at 52.7, institutional at 50.6 and mixed-use at 47.8."
Refererence: Bussines Journal
