AIArchitect This Week | Business Zone Summary Page

June 20, 2008


	Downturn Continues in May for Design Activity Concern over economy has produced changes in building characteristics Billings at U.S. architecture firms slowed again in May, marking the fourth straight monthly decline, according to Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. Inquiries for new project work also declined, pointing to continued slowing in billings over the next few months. Work at institutional firms remained at healthy levels, while residential and commercial/industrial firms reported further weakness. Firms in the Midwest reported a rare increase, mild as it was, while work softened further in other regions of the country, Baker reports. kiplinger connection The Economy • Energy • Human Resources The Economy: The slump will linger till the end of the year. Energy: “Gold rush” for solar energy sites. Human Resources: California’s same-sex marriage law can affect businesses everywhere. Taking Care of Business Letters to the Editor We have two letters this week. One is from an architect who believes that “students, whether they like it or not, must take the time and initiative to seek out the experiences that will give them responsibility.” The second is a response from the architects to last week’s question of “why would any seminary today want its building to look as if it were designed in the late 19th century?” Manage Your AIA Subscriptions Online Personalized selection by the one who knows best—you! The AIA offers you an online tool to update your subscription preferences for all the information you receive from the AIA. Go to the Manage Your Subscriptions page on AIA.org, fill in your e-mail address, and click to receive or opt out of any of the dozens of e-mail resources offered to AIA members. (For questions regarding Architectural Record, published independently by the McGraw-Hill Companies, visit their Web site.)
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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.