The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Economics & Market Research Group’s Architecture Billings Index (ABI) gained 0.6 points to 47.2 in August but remained below the 50 threshold. Fewer firms noted a drop in billings than in July, though most continued to report a slow market. Midwest firms posted moderate gains for the first time in almost a year, and billings held mostly steady in the West, while Northeast firms sank to the weakest reading since 2020. Firms in the commercial/industrial sector reported small gains, while all other segments remained down. New project inquiries grew slightly, but the value of newly signed design contracts decreased again. An ABI score above 50 indicates growth. See AIA
