Architecture firms end 2021 on a strong note

Firms report concerns over recruiting staff to meet workload demands.

WASHINGTON – Jan. 19, 2021 – As architecture firms ended 2021 on a high note with strong business conditions, staff recruitment is becoming a growing concern among firms.  

December’s Architectural Billings Index (ABI) score of 52.0 was an increase from 51.0 in November (any score over 50 indicates billings growth). Despite a variety of concerns related to the omicron variant, labor shortages, and rising prices as well as limited availability of construction materials, firms continued to report a robust supply of work in the pipeline. Inquiries into new work and the value of new design contracts both remained strong, and backlogs, at an average of 6.5 months, remained near their highest levels since the AIA began tracking this metric in 2010.

“Since demand for design projects has been healthy over the last year, recruiting architectural staff to keep up with project workloads has been a growing concern for firms,” said AIA Chief Economist, Kermit Baker, Hon. AIA, PhD. “Architecture is one of the few industries where payrolls have already surpassed their pre-pandemic high, so meeting future staffing needs is a challenge that most firms will need to confront.

Democracy in Design Act, climate, and equity top AIA 2022 policy priorities

Congress is back in session, and multiple AIA policy priorities are on the agenda.

After a setback in December, negotiations continue on the Build Back Better Act (BBBA) (H.R. 5376). Billed as the most significant climate bill in U.S. history, the legislation includes critical support to incentivize the state/ local adoption of the latest building codes and stretch codes. It also provides robust investment in affordable housing, addressing both the supply and the energy efficiency of existing units. AIA members have sent more than 5,000 letters to Congress in support of architecture priorities in BBBA and an earlier infrastructure bill, the “Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act,” which was signed into law just before Thanksgiving.

As AIA continues its campaign in support of BBBA’s climate and equity investments, here’s a summary of other top policy priorities for 2022.

Robert Eisenstat and Paul Mankins receive the 2022 AIA Award for Excellence in Public Architecture

WASHINGTON – Jan. 13, 2022 – The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is honoring Robert D. Eisenstat, FAIA, the design leader for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and Paul D. Mankins, FAIA, principal of Substance Architecture, with the 2022 AIA Award for Excellence in Public Architecture.  

The award recognizes architects, public officials, or other individuals who design distinguished public facilities and advocate for design excellence.