Commercial/Industrial: 53.8 Institutional: 50.8 Residential: 51.2

40

45

50

55

60

Nov-18Jul-18Mar-18Nov-17

SectorFirms with commercial/industrial specialization report strongest billings growth

Graphs represent data from November 2017–November 2018 across the three sectors. 50 represents the diffusion center.A score of 50 equals no change from the previous month. Above 50 shows increase; Below 50 shows decrease. 3-month moving average.

40

45

50

55

60

Nov-18Jul-18Mar-18Nov-17

RegionalBusiness conditions improve around the country, although softness remains in the West

Graphs represent data from November 2017–November 2018 across the four regions. 50 represents the diffusion center. A score of 50 equals no change from the previous month. Above 50 shows increase; Below 50 shows decrease. 3-month moving average.

West:

49.0Midwest:

53.1

South:

50.5Northeast:

56.8

NationalArchitecture firm billings strengthen in November

Graphs represent data from November 2017–November 2018.Above 50 Below 50

No changefrompreviousperiod

BillingsInquiriesDesign Contracts

Architecture Billings Index (ABI)November 2018

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45

50

55

60

65

Nov–18Oct–18Sep–18Aug–18Jul–18Jun-18May-18Apr–18Mar–18Feb-18Jan-18Dec-17Nov-17

54.2 54.755.1 52.0 52.8

PracticeFirm staffing, management top business-related concerns for architecture firms for 2019units: % of firms selecting issue as one of their top three business-related concerns for the coming year

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

Retaining current staff

Dealing with competition from other architecture firms or other design professionals

Negotiating appropriate project fees

Identifying new clients and new markets/enhancing firm business planning/marketing

Coping with volatile construction/building materials costs

Managing rising costs of running a firm (e.g., space rents; healthcare costs; liability insurance)

Dealing with firm ownership transition issues

Coping with an unpredictable economy

Increasing firm profitability

Identifying new qualified staff with appropriate technical and project management skills

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

National Regional Sector Practice

ABI

The Architecture Billings Index (ABI) is a diffusion index derived from the monthly Work-on-the-Boards survey, conducted by the AIA Economics & Market Research Group. The ABI serves as a leading economic indicator that leads nonresidential construction activity by approximately 9-12 months. The survey panel asks participants whether their billings increased, decreased, or stayed the same in the month that just ended. According to the proportion of respondents choosing each option, a score is generated, which represents an index value for each month. An index score of 50 represents no change in firm billings from the previous month, a score above 50 indicates an increase in firm billings from the previous month, and a score below 50 indicates a decline in firm billings from the previous month.

*All graphs represent data from November 2017–November 2018.