The American Institute of Architects has just released its Architecture Billings Index for the month of July, highlighting further stability in the demand for design services for the third month in a row.

The index score was recorded at 50.0, indicating a flat figure (anything above 50.0 is considered an increase) that follows June’s total of 50.1. The score reflects an increased demand from firms specializing in commercial/industrial projects, which helps bolster the index against declines that were recorded across the residential sector.

“This is the third straight month that billings at architecture firms have stabilized,” the AIA’s Chief Economist Kermit Baker said. “New project work has been even stronger over this period. This suggests that design work may finally begin to increase over the coming months, although somewhat modestly.”

July ABI Highlights

• Regional averages: Midwest (51.6); West (49.6); Northeast (49.3); South (48.9)

• Sector index breakdown: commercial/industrial (52.7); institutional (51.2); mixed practice (firms that do not have at least half of their billings in any one other category) (46.3); multifamily residential (45.4)

• Project inquiries index: 54.5

• Design contracts index: 50.0

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