{"id":111016,"date":"2020-04-27T13:17:50","date_gmt":"2020-04-27T17:17:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.constructionspecifier.com\/?p=111016"},"modified":"2020-04-27T17:15:25","modified_gmt":"2020-04-27T21:15:25","slug":"architecture-billings-fall-to-a-record-low","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.constructionspecifier.com\/architecture-billings-fall-to-a-record-low\/","title":{"rendered":"Architecture billings fall to a record low"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"The<\/a>
The American Institute of Architects\u2019 (AIA\u2019s) Architecture Billings Index (ABI) points to major downturn in commercial construction due to COVID-19.<\/span>
Photo \u00a9 www.bigstockphoto.com<\/span><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Reflecting the deteriorating conditions in the overall economy due to the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for design services from architecture firms recorded a steep decline, according to a new report from the American Institute of Architects<\/a> (AIA).<\/p>\n

AIA\u2019s Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score of 33.3 for March reflects a decrease in design services provided by U.S. architecture firms (any score below 50 indicates a decrease in billings). During March, both the new project inquiries and design contracts scores dropped dramatically, posting scores of 23.8 and 27.1 respectively.<\/p>\n

\u201cThough most architecture firms have made quick transitions to remote operations, the complete shutdown of business activity is severely impacting architects,\u201d said Kermit Baker, Hon. AIA, PhD, AIA chief economist. \u201cThe dramatic pullback in new and ongoing design projects reflects just how quickly and fundamentally business conditions have changed across the country and around the world in the last month as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.\u201d<\/p>\n

Key ABI figures for March include the following:<\/p>\n