Architecture Billings Index ends 2019 on a high note

After a somewhat bumpy spring and summer, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) closed out the year on a positive note with three consecutive months of modest growth.

A strong winter

• Architecture Billings Index Score for December: 52.5
• Project inquiries index: 58.7
• Design contracts index: 53.4

A new report from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) highlights that the ABI registered a score of 52.5 for the month of December, up from 51.9 in November and 52.0 in October. According to how the index is tabulated, any score above 50.0 indicates an increase in the demand for design services, while a score below 50 indicates a decline in demand. The three-month growth spurt follows contractions that took place over the summer, when the ABI scored 49.7 in September and 47.2 in August. 

December's positive score was fueled by growth in both new project inquiries and design contract executions, which surged to show scores of 58.7 and 53.4, respectively. It appears that the mid-year slump w...