The Work-on-the-Boards monthly survey of AIA members has drawn the attention of the U.S. Commerce Department, The Wall Street Journal, and Public Radio International in recent weeks because the survey may allow construction forecasters to see an additional two to three quarters into the future. AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA, created the survey seven years ago to monitor architecture firm inquiries and billings.

These results offer precursors to activity in the construction industry, which accounts for 8 percent of the U.S. economy, Baker told Assistant Treasury Secretary Mark Warshawsky on March 4. The secretary expressed interest in adding the survey results to the Commerce Department’s aggregate figures on construction spending, and The Wall Street Journal reported on March 24 that “outside experts see potential in the numbers.”

Through wider distribution of survey results, the AIA will continue to advocate the importance of architects to the economy. For example, AIA Economics and Market Research Director Diego Saltes took the message to the airwaves March 24 in an interview on Public Radio International’s Marketplace.

To learn more about the survey and enroll as a participant, visit AIA.org.

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