Navigating Shifting Waters: ABI Report for August 2023
In the ever-evolving landscape of architecture and construction, staying informed is paramount. The August 2023 Architecture Billings Index (ABI) Report sheds light on the latest developments in the industry. Let’s dive into the key takeaways:
Moderate Softening in Business Conditions
Despite the ongoing challenges, the ABI score for August stands at 48.1, indicating modest softening in business conditions within architecture firms. This marks the eleventh consecutive month of relatively stable billings, following a robust growth period throughout much of 2021 and 2022. Additionally, signs suggest a potential slowdown in the pipeline of future projects. While new project inquiries remained strong in August, the value of newly signed design contracts declined for the first time since April, indicating fewer clients initiating new projects.
Regional Variations
Regional variations in business conditions are notable. Firms located in the West experienced an eleventh consecutive month of billing declines, while those in the South and Northeast maintained relatively stable billings. A significant shift occurred in the Midwest, which had previously reported robust billings for nine consecutive months but now faces declining conditions.
Specialization Matters
Specialization plays a crucial role. Firms specializing in multifamily residential projects witnessed softening conditions, while those focused on commercial/industrial projects reported billings growth for the third consecutive month. Institutions-oriented firms experienced modest declines.
Broader Economic Overview
August brought some moderation in the broader economy. Nonfarm payroll employment increased by 187,000 new positions, slightly below the previous year’s monthly average. The architecture services sector added 100 new positions in July, following a growth of 1,000 positions the prior month. Inflation showed a slight uptick, primarily driven by rising gas prices, although there were also minor increases in vehicle and food prices.
Federal Reserve Insights
The Federal Reserve’s Beige Book report for July and August indicated overall modest economic growth. Single-family residential construction has seen an uptick in some areas due to constrained housing supply. Nonresidential construction increased in certain districts, particularly in commercial construction.
Exploring Outsourcing
With staffing challenges persisting, a survey explored the outsourcing of domestic design work offshore. Only 16% of respondents reported current outsourcing, with multifamily residential firms and large firms being more inclined toward this practice. The majority of firms outsourcing were generally satisfied with the quality of work.
International Projects and Billings
A closer look at international projects revealed that just 8% of firms currently have billings from such projects. The majority reported billings remained consistent over the past six months.
As the industry continues to evolve, staying informed is essential. Join Kermit Baker, AIA’s Chief Economist, on Thursday, October 19 at 2 PM ET for the quarterly update on the latest economic data and industry insights.
Source: www.aia.org with additional information added by GlassBalkan
