Fewer architecture firms report declining billings in January compared to billing activity in December, according to a new report today from The American Institute of Architects (AIA). 

AIA’s Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score for January was 49.3* compared to 48.4 in December (any score below 50 indicates a decline in firm billings). Last month’s score indicates overall revenue at U.S architecture firms continued to decline from December to January, however, the pace of decline slowed. Inquiries into new projects during January grew, with a score of 55.2 compared to 52.6 in December. The value of new design contracts also reflected an easing in the pace of decline, rising to a score of 53.4 in January from 50.0 the previous month.

“While the downturn in design activity extended to four months in January, there are signs of easing,” said AIA Chief Economist, Kermit Baker, Hon. AIA, PhD. “In particular, architecture firms reported that new project work has begun to increase, signifying that this decline in billings may reverse in the coming months.”

Key ABI highlights for January include:

• Regional averages: Midwest (51.6); West (51.3); Northeast (50.9);  South (46.9)
• Sector index breakdown: mixed practice (56.0); institutional (48.6); commercial/industrial (46.8); multi-family residential (45.9)

The regional and sector categories are calculated as three-month moving averages and may not always average out to the national score.

*Every January the AIA research department updates the seasonal factors used to calculate the ABI, resulting in a revision of recent ABI values.