Piggybacking on recent data specific to the architecture industry, a new Quarterly Market Forecast from business consultant group PSMJ Resources indicates that current and near-term construction activity has steeply fallen off in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Like recent findings published by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Architecture Billings Index (ABI) report for April, PSMJ finds that demand for construction activity has fallen in nearly all the industry sectors it measures, with commercial development impacted the most. 

Also like the ABI, PSMJ's survey has registered historically low economic conditions. The survey, according to PSMJ, consists of "193 responses from the consistent group of hundreds of A/E/C firm leaders who regularly complete the quarterly survey."

The survey indicates a glimmer of hope, however, reporting that "Public-sector markets generally held up better than private-sector and mixed markets." 

The report continues: "Among the 12 markets measured in the QMF, only water/wastewater was in positive territory with an [Net Plus/Minus Index] of 5%. Energy/Utilities checked in at -3%, followed by Transportation (-6%), Healthcare (-8%) and Other Government Buildings (-15%). All five top-rated markets have representation from public-sector clients."

Private clients, the report indicates, have fared less well throughout the crisis.