As featured in DesignandBuildwithMetal.com, “AIA’s ABI suggests rapidly growing demand for design services.” A ccording to a new report from The American Institute of Architects (AIA), the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) logged its second positive mark since the beginning of the pandemic. AIA’s ABI score for March rose to 55.6 compared to 53.3 in February (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). Scores for both new projects inquiries and new design contracts strengthened to 66.9 and 55.7 respectively.  March also marked the first time in three years all building sectors and regions posted positive scores.

Key ABI highlights for March include:

• Regional averages: Midwest (56.5); South (55.8); West (52.8); Northeast (50.8)
• Sector index breakdown: commercial/industrial (57.0); mixed practice (54.9); institutional (54.4); multi-family residential (52.6)
• Project inquiries index: 66.9
• Design contracts index: 55.7

Visit AIA’s website for more ABI information.

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