Reflecting the deteriorating conditions in the overall economy, demand for design services from architecture firms recorded a record fall, according to a report on April 22 from the American Institute of Architects.
AIA’s Architecture Billings Index 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.
“Though most architecture firms have made quick transitions to remote operations, the complete shutdown of business activity is severely impacting architects,” said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, Hon. AIA, Ph.D. “The 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.”
Key ABI figures for March include the following:
- Regional averages: West (45.3); South (44.2); Midwest (44.2); Northeast (38.4)
- Sector index breakdown: institutional (46.9); multi-family residential (43.3); commercial/industrial (41.9); mixed practice (40.6)
- Project inquiries index: 23.8
- Design contracts index: 27.1
