February 22, 2008
  January Drop in Billings Index May Point to More Sustained Downturn
Commercial/industrial and institutional firms have been reporting weaker business conditions for past several months
U.S. architecture firms reported another decline in billings in January as concerns over a slower economy appear finally to be affecting the nonresidential construction sector, according to Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. Businesses are expressing a growing uneasiness over the possibility of a national economic recession and, as such, are cutting back on their plans for expanding their facilities. Architecture firms specializing in the commercial/industrial sector have reported the steepest downturn over the past several months. Also from our Work-on-the-Boards Survey, respondents tell us that adoption of BIM is advancing rapidly.

kiplinger connection
The Economy • Energy • Rival Interests
The Economy: Is superconsumption dead?
Energy: Brazil’s new oil field shifts production race.
Rival Interests: Existing businesses slighted when newcomers arrive.

AIA Joins Coalition Proposing New National Academy
A growing coalition of national organizations focused on the built environment has agreed to create a new National Academy of Environmental Design (NAED) to coordinate research; generate new knowledge; distribute vital information; and make recommendations to policy makers on how to reduce the negative impact of cities, buildings, landscapes, and transportation on our global climate. The coalition’s steering committee will work to organize the NAED with a plan to seek congressional support for its establishment in 2009.

 

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Welcome to the Business Zone
This is the place for our monthly Work-on-the-Boards survey report, quarterly Housing Trends survey report, and biannual Consensus Forecast, all by AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. You’ll also find tips for managing the business side of your practice, as well as the weekly Kiplinger Connection.