18 AL CONSTRUCTION NEWS JAN-MAR 2017
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• F O R A L A B A M A •
Industry Outlook & Trends
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ARCH ITECTU R E FI R M S CLOS E
2016 WITH TH E STRONG E ST
PE R FOR MANCE OF TH E YEAR
The Architecture Billings Index (ABI)
concluded the year in positive terrain,
with the December reading capping off
three straight months of growth in design
billings. As a leading economic indica-
tor of construction activity, the ABI
reflects the approximate nine to twelve
month lead time between architecture
billings and construction spending. The
American Institute of Architects (AIA)
reported the December ABI score was
55.9, up sharply from 50.6 in the previ-
ous month. This score reflects the largest
increase in design services in 2016 (any
score above 50 indicates an increase in
billings). The new projects inquiry index
was 57.2, down from a reading of 59.5 the
previous month.
"The sharp upturn in design activity
as we wind down the year is certainly
encouraging. This bodes well for the
design and construction sector as we
enter the new year"," said AIA Chief
Economist, Kermit Baker, Hon. AIA, PhD.
"However, December is an atypical month
for interpreting trends, so the coming
months will tell us a lot more about con-
ditions that the industry is likely to see
in 2017."
Architecture Billings Index Ends Year on Positive Note
"The sharp upturn in design activity as we wind
down the year is certainly encouraging."