Architecture Billings Index positive for second straight month

After showing struggling business conditions for most of 2011, the Architecture Billings Index reached positive terrain in consecutive months. The American Institute of Architectsreported the December 2011 ABI score was 52.0, exactly the same as it was in November 2011, according to a release.

“We saw nearly identical conditions in November and December of 2010 only to see momentum sputter and billings fall into negative territory as we moved through 2011, so it’s too early to be sure that we are in a full recovery mode,” said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, in the release. “Nevertheless, this is very good news for the design and construction industry and it’s entirely possible conditions will slowly continue to improve as the year progresses.”

The South posted a score 54.2 in December, followed by the Midwest at 53.1, the Northeast at 52.6, and the West at 45.1.

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