With all geographic regions and building project sectors showing positive conditions, there continues to be a heightened level of demand for design services [...] the August ABI score was 53.7, up from a score of 51.9 in the previous month. This score reflects an increase in design services provided by U.S. architecture firms [...]. The new projects inquiry index was 62.5, up from a reading of 59.5 the previous month, while the new design contracts index eased somewhat from 56.4 to 54.2. — AIA
"The August results continue a string of very positive readings from the design professions, pointing to future healthy growth across the major construction sectors, as well as across the major regions of the country,” said AIA Chief Economist, Kermit Baker, Hon. AIA, PhD. “Given the focus and discussions around the infrastructure needs of the nation, we expect strong growth in design activity for the coming months and years."
The AIA reports these key ABI stats for the month of August:
All graphs represent data from August 2016 - August 2017. Images provided by the American Institute of Architects.
2 Comments
Am I misreading the per sector breakdown, dataviz, or does it actually NOT show continued "billings growth". In two of three, the trend (at least between April-Aug 17) seems headed down. Even if above 50...
Nam, IMO, the ABI graphics are poorly designed ... possibly the index itself is poorly designed (but maybe just poorly understood). Per most people's intuitive understanding of graphs, you would be correct, the trend is downward. However, the ABI is calculated so that 50 is no change from the previous month, numbers greater than 50 show growth from the previous month, and numbers below 50 show decrease.
So while the visualization may graphically show a decline from say 53 one month to 51 the next, growth is still trending upward in that the numbers (still above 50) are still showing an increase from month to month. The downward trend you noted of certain sectors between Apr-Aug 17 is showing a potential trend of slowing growth, but it is still growth.
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