Billings at Architecture Firms Hold Steady in January

Architecture Billings Index (ABI), produced by the AIA Economics & Market Research Group, is a leading economic indicator that provides an approximately nine to 12 month glimpse into the future of nonresidential construction spending activity.

Following a healthy upturn in the fourth quarter, design billings at U.S. architecture firms remained flat in January, according to Kermit Baker, AIA Chief Economist. The national reading for the AIA's Architecture Billings Index (ABI) was 50, meaning that average billings in January exactly matched December levels.

The recovery in design activity at architecture firms continued in January, although the pace of growth slowed considerably. January marks the third straight month with ABI scores at the 50 level or higher, an encouraging sign that architecture firms are in the midst of a sustainable recovery.

Architecture firms have seen disappointing results on the employment front. Payroll positions on a not seasonally-adjusted basis were down 300 nationally in December (the most recent data available). For the year 2010, payroll positions were down by more than 20,000 (or 11.5 percent) from 2009 levels, and almost 57,000 (27 percent) from 2008 levels.

- Courtesy of AIA