by Jonathan McGaha | August 31, 2008 12:00 am
The Architecture Billings Index still showed difficult times for the nonresidential construction market though the index increased in July. The American Institute of Architects, Washington, D.C., reported the July rating was 46.8, up slightly from the 46.1 mark in June. The inquiries for new projects score was 54.6. Despite having the highest score since January, the index was still below the 50 threshold for the sixth straight month. The index, considered a leading economic indicator of construction activity, indicates that business levels at architecture firms continue to suffer. “Financing for new projects continues to be a problem,” said AIA’s Chief Economist Kermit Baker, Ph.D., Hon. AIA. “Many projects are being reconsidered due to construction cost increases. And while there are a good number of projects still in the queue, owners are taking longer to proceed to the next phase of the design process. ”July index highlights:
• Regional averages: Midwest (50.0), South (47.7), Northeast (46.5), West (42.2)
• Sector index breakdown: institutional (53.6), commercial/industrial (48.8), mixed practice (45.6), multifamily residential (39.2)
• Project inquiries index: 54.6
Source URL: https://www.metalarchitecture.com/news/industry-news/architecture-billings-index-rebounds-1/
Copyright ©2026 Metal Architecture unless otherwise noted.