Its been a tough couple of years in the design and construction industry. I know many architects and contractors working multiple non-architecture or construction jobs to make ends meet.
I’m no economist, but I believe we’ll see a slow moving turnaround begin during 2013. Apparently the AIA agrees.
“Billings at architecture firms across the country continue to increase. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the November ABI score was 53.2, up from the mark of 52.8 in October. This score reflects an increase in demand for design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The new projects inquiry index was 59.6, up slightly from the 59.4 mark of the previous month.”