ABI Shows Increase in Demand

May 19, 2021
Industry News

Third Consecutive Month of Positive Billings

The Architecture Billings Index score for April was 57.9, gaining 2.3 points from the March reading.

“This recent acceleration in the demand for design services demonstrates that both consumers and businesses are feeling much more confident about the economic outlook,” said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA.

In April the Project Inquiries index was 70.8, up from 66.9 the previous month. The Design Contracts index was 61.7, up from 55.7. Both were record highs.

Regional averages for April were as follows:

March April
West 52.8 52.4
South 55.8 58.3
Midwest 56.5 60.6
Northeast 50.8 55.0

Baker added, “The pent-up demand for new and retrofitted facilities is keeping architecture firms in all regions and building sectors busy.”