The Architecture Billings Index rose 0.8 to 47.6 in August, according to the American Institute of Architects, Washington, D.C. A reading below 50 indicates a decline in billings, a leading indicator of construction activity about nine to 12 months in the future. The inquiries for new projects score was 52.4. There is, however, continued demand for projects such as schools, hospitals and government buildings; the institutional category of the ABI has been positive since 2004. The strongest billings were recorded in the Midwest with a reading of 49.4, and the South was the weakest region at 45.
ABI for August
This Month’s Features
Editor’s Corner: 26 years in the process – Solatube’s sustainability journey
“You have to take baby steps.” … That’s how Dr. Neall Digert, vice president of innovation and market development at Kingspan Light + Air, describes...
Editor’s Corner: 70% and counting – Kingspan’s sustainability journey
“We are a for-profit company” … It’s not something you would expect to hear during a conversation about sustainability, but Brent Trenga, director of sustainability...
Education, advocacy, and metal building excellence
Metal building systems extend far beyond the basic, box-like structures that many architects may still associate with them. Today, they support complex designs, varied...
Bracing for the future
In metal building design, owners want to know the cost and delivery. Architects think about openings, elevations, space planning, and how the building will...
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November 2026
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