{"id":10921,"date":"2015-08-31T09:33:04","date_gmt":"2015-08-31T13:33:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.constructionspecifier.com\/?p=10921"},"modified":"2015-08-31T09:33:04","modified_gmt":"2015-08-31T13:33:04","slug":"abi-indicates-healthy-demand-in-non-residential-projects","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.constructionspecifier.com\/abi-indicates-healthy-demand-in-non-residential-projects\/","title":{"rendered":"ABI indicates healthy demand in non-residential projects"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Downtown<\/a>
Despite the slight decline in July\u2019s Architecture Billing Index (ABI), the American Institute of Architects (AIA) says the demand is steady. Photo courtesy BigStockPhoto.com\/Scanrail<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the Architecture Billing Index (ABI) is reflecting a sustained demand for design services in nearly all non-residential project types.<\/p>\n

ABI is a leading economic indicator of construction activity. It reflects the approximate nine-to 12-month lead time between architecture billings and construction spending. The July ABI score was 54.7\u2014down one point from 55.7 in June. However, this score still reflects an increase in design services because any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn top of what has been a flurry of design activity in recent months, some architects are reporting a break in the log jam created by clients placing projects on hold for indefinite periods, which bodes well for business conditions in the months ahead,\u201d said Kermit Baker, AIA chief economist. \u201cThere is some uneasiness in the design community that rapid growth in construction costs could escalate beyond development capital and municipal budgets, which could trigger some contraction in the marketplace down the road.\u201d<\/p>\n

The regional average ABI scores include:<\/p>\n