Stories in the News onaia
Architecture Billings Index in June declines, signaling 'period of soft demand for design services'
Jul 17, '19 1:20 PM EST
Demand for design services at architecture firms decreased in June in comparison to the previous month, according to a new report today from The American Institute of Architects (AIA).
AIA's Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score for June was 49.1, which is down from 50.2 in May. Any score below 50 indicates a decrease in billings. Both the project inquiries index and the design contracts index continued to soften in June but remained positive. — AIA
"With billings declining or flat for the last five months, it appears that we are settling in for a period of soft demand for design services," said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. "With the new design contracts score reaching a 10-month low and the project inquiries score hitting...	View full entry
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Home Design Trends Survey shows healthy business conditions for residential architects
The overall size of new homes peaked in 2016 for this cycle and for the last three years has continued to moderate, according to new survey results from the American Institute of Architects (AIA).
The Home Design Trends Survey for the second quarter of 2019—focusing on home and property design—also found that homeowners continue to place a priority on accessibility features. — AIA
"With home sizes plateauing and lot sizes continuing to decline, it isn't shocking to see where that additional focus is going," commented AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. "Homeowners want more flexibility in their space, both inside and outside the house, and they want to use...	View full entry
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Architecture Billings Index in May remains flat
Demand for design services in May remained essentially flat in comparison to the previous month, according to a new report [...] from The American Institute of Architects (AIA).
AIA's Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score for May showed a small increase in design services at 50.2, which is slightly down from 50.5 in April. Any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings. Both the project inquiries index and the design contracts index softened in May but remained positive. — AIA
"The last four consecutive months, firm billings have either decreased or been flat, the longest period of that level of sustained softness since 2012," said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. "While both inquiries into new projects and the value of new design contracts remained...	View full entry
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Former Internment Camp becomes Immigrant Shelter
By Antonio Pacheco
The Trump Administration has opted to use an Army base in Oklahoma to hold growing numbers of immigrant children in its custody after running out of room at government shelters.
Fort Sill, an 150-year-old installation once used as an internment camp for Japanese-Americans during World War II, has been selected to detain 1,400 children until they can be given to an adult relative, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. — Time.com
As of April 30, 2019, the department of Health and Human Services has taken 40,900 children seeking asylum into custody along the southern border, a 57% increase from 2018, according to Time. The surge in detainees has overwhelmed existing and new temporary detention facilities in southern...	View full entry
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The AIA works towards improving how it awards architects in conjunction with the rise of the #MeToo movement
Jun 6, '19 1:57 PM EST
The plight of sexual harassment claims and news of misconduct within the profession continues to surface as more practicing architects stress the importance of equity in the workplace, representation, and accountability. The global rise of the #MeToo movement has impacted several industries, the...	View full entry
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Architecture Billings Index in April shows slight rebound
Following a sizable decrease in demand for design services in March, the April Architecture Billings Index (ABI) climbed back into positive territory according to a new report today from The American Institute of Architects (AIA).
AIA's ABI score for April showed a small increase in design services at 50.5 in April, which is up from 47.8 [...] Despite this and the positive overall billings score, most regional and sector indicators continue to display decreasing demand for design services. — AIA
"In contrast to 2018, conditions throughout the construction sector recently have become more unsettled," said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. "Though we may not be at a critical inflection point, the next several months of billing data will be indicative of the health of the...	View full entry
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AIA announces four recipients of the Upjohn Research Initiative
By Anastasia Tokmakova
Supporting applied research projects that 'enhance the value of design and professional practice knowledge', The AIA Upjohn Research Initiative funds up to six research grants of $15,000 to $30,000 annually for projects completed within an 18-month period. This year's grants recipients are: ...	View full entry
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Architecture Billings Index in March dips into negative terrain after prolonged period of growth
Apr 24, '19 6:20 PM EST
Following consistently increasing demand for design services for over two years, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) dipped into negative territory in March, according to a new report [...] from The American Institute of Architects (AIA).
The ABI score for March was 47.8, down from 50.3 in February. Indicators of work in the pipeline, including inquiries into new projects and the value of new design contracts remained positive. — AIA
"Though billings haven't contracted in a while, it is important to note that it does follow on the heels of a particularly tough late winter period for much of the country," said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. "Many indicators of future work at firms still remain positive...	View full entry
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Architecture Billings Index in February dips but remains positive
Architecture firm billings growth softened in February but remained positive, according to a new report today from The American Institute of Architects (AIA).
AIA's Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score for February was 50.3, down from 55.3 in January. Indicators of work in the pipeline, including inquiries into new projects and the value of new design contracts remained positive. — AIA
"Overall business conditions at architecture firms across the country have remained generally healthy," said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, Hon. AIA, PhD. "Firms in the south recorded continued strong design activity, likely reflecting a healthy regional economy and ongoing rebuilding from...	View full entry
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Architecture Billings Index in January shows strong start to 2019 despite government shutdown
Feb 21, '19 9:00 AM EST
Starting the year on a strong note, architecture firm billings growth strengthened in January to a level not seen in the previous twelve months according to a new report released today from The American Institute of Architects (AIA).
AIA's Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score for January was 55.3 compared to 51.0* in December. Indicators of work in the pipeline, including inquiries into new projects and the value of new design contracts, also strengthened in January. — AIA
"The government shutdown affected architecture firms but doesn't appear to have created a slowdown in the profession," said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, Hon. AIA, PhD. "While AIA did hear from a few firms that were experiencing significant cash flow issues due to the shutdown, the...	View full entry
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Architecture Billings Index in December closes 2018 slower but positive
Architecture firm billings growth softened in December but remained positive for the fifteenth consecutive month, according to a new report released today from The American Institute of Architects (AIA). AIA's Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score for December was 50.4 compared to 54.7 in November. Despite the positive billings, a softening in growth was seen across several regions and sectors, as well as in project inquiries and design contracts. — AIA
"Given the concerns over the ongoing tariff situation, it is not surprising to see a bit of a slowdown in progress on current projects," said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. "Growing anxiety over unstable business conditions and the partial shutdown of the government may...	View full entry
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Sainsbury Wing by Venturi, Scott Brown wins 2019 AIA Twenty-Five Year Award
Jan 8, '19 8:27 PM EST
After no one received the prize last year, there was a more positive outcome for the AIA's Twenty-Five Year Award for 2019. Today, the AIA announced Venturi, Scott Brown and Associates' Sainsbury Wing at the National Gallery in London as this year's recipient. Established in 1969, the annual award...	View full entry
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Architecture will be recognized as STEM
By Shane Reiner-Roth
Dec 27, '18 5:56 PM EST
In a big win for architects, the US House of Representatives passed the Senate version of H.R.2353, the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education (CTE) Act on Tuesday. Architects across the country led the charge to pass this bill, highlighting its promise in discussions with their representatives. — AIA
The academic grouping known as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) has long been regarded as the antithesis to the creative fields of art, music, and architecture. But the bill recently passed by the US House of Representatives allows states to use federal money to modernize...	View full entry
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Architecture Billings Index in November shows fourteenth consecutive month of growth
Dec 21, '18 9:00 AM EST
Architecture firm billings growth expanded in November by a healthy margin, according to a new report today from The American Institute of Architects (AIA).
AIA's Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score for November was 54.7 compared to 50.4 in October. With the strongest billings growth figure since January and continued strength in new project inquiries and design contracts, billings are closing the year on a strong note. — AIA
"Despite some concerns about a potential economic downturn, architecture firms continue to report strong billings, inquiries, and new design contracts," said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, Hon. AIA, PhD. "For the coming year, concerns about the economy among architecture firm leaders tend...	View full entry
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William J. Bates inaugurated as 2019 AIA President
Following the announcement of his appointment in 2017, architect William J. Bates was inaugurated as the 2019 President of the AIA last Friday, December 7. Bates recently retired from the Eat'n Park Hospitality Group, where he worked as the vice president of real estate and oversaw the...	View full entry
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