Demand for Design Services Continues to Slow

Demand for design services from architecture firms continued to decrease in November, according to a new report from The American Institute of Architects.

The pace of decline during November accelerated from October, posting an Architecture Billings Index score of 46.6 from 47.7. The pace of inquiries into new projects slowed, but remained positive with a score of 52, however new design contracts remained in negative territory with a score of 46.9.

Key ABI highlights for November include:

• Regional averages: South (50.5); Midwest (47.6); West (45.8); Northeast (42.4)
• Sector index breakdown: mixed practice (51.5); institutional (47.7); multi-family residential (46.1); commercial/industrial (44.2)

The regional and sector categories are calculated as a three-month moving average, whereas the national index, design contracts and inquiries are monthly numbers.

Visit AIA’s website for more ABI information.