Demand for design services from U.S. architecture firms continues to grow at a vigorous pace, according to a report issued by the American Institute of Architects in June of 2021. AIA’s Architecture Billings Index score for May rose to 58.5 compared to 57.9 in April. Any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings, and May’s ABI score is one of the highest in the index’s 25-year history. In the month of May, the new design contracts score reached its second consecutive record high with a score of 63.2, while new project inquiries also recorded a near-record high score at 69.2.
Regional averages:
- Midwest - 63.4
- South - 59.0
- West - 57.4
- Northeast - 54.2
Sector index breakdown:
- Commercial/industrial - 60.6
- Multi-family residential - 59.5
- Mixed practice - 57.9
- Institutional - 57.1
The regional and sector categories are calculated as a three-month moving average, whereas the national index, design contracts, and inquiries are monthly numbers.
