From the AIA: ABI August 2025: Softness persists at architecture firms
The AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score was 47.2 for the month of August 2025. The share of firms reporting declining billings in August fell modestly from July, but overall, most firms continue to report a downward trajectory. In addition, inquiries softened in August and were essentially flat, after small increases over the previous three months. In addition, the value of new design contracts declined for the 18th consecutive month, the longest period of decline since we started collecting this data 15 years ago. This year has seen generally soft inquiries into new projects and a steady decrease in the value of newly signed design contracts, as clients remain cautious about committing to new projects. Without new work on the horizon, many firms will likely continue to experience declining billings in the coming months.
While business conditions remained soft at firms in most regions of the country in August, firms located in the South reported essentially flat conditions for the fourth consecutive month. In contrast, firms located in the West saw their billings soften this month, as they reported their weakest conditions in nearly two years. By specialization, firms with a commercial/industrial specialization reported modest growth in August for the first time in three years. And firms with a multifamily residential specialization have also seen improving conditions in the last few months and saw essentially flat billings this month. In contrast, business conditions have softened recently at firms with an institutional specialization to their lowest levels since 2020. Uncertainty with government budgets in recent months continues to cause uncertainty for many firms specializing in institutional facilities.
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The ABI serves as a leading economic indicator that leads nonresidential construction activity by approximately 9-12 months.
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• Northeast (46.2); Midwest (48.0); South (49.9); West (43.5)
• Sector index breakdown: commercial/industrial (50.8); institutional (44.5); multifamily residential (49.9)
Click on graph for larger image.
This graph shows the Architecture Billings Index since 1996. The index was at 47.2 in August, up from 46.2 in July. Anything below 50 indicates a decrease in demand for architects’ services.
Note: This includes commercial and industrial facilities like hotels and office buildings, multi-family residential, as well as schools, hospitals and other institutions.
This index usually leads CRE investment by 9 to 12 months, so this index suggests a slowdown in CRE investment throughout 2025 and into 2026.