Architecture Billings Are Still Declining, But Slower Than Earlier in the Pandemic

A critical economic bellwether is showing tentative signs of recovery.

1 minute read

March 2, 2021, 5:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Construction Cranes

Scruggelgreen / Shutterstock

The American Institute of Architects' latest Architecture Billings Index shows a slight improvement in business conditions, although work is still slowing. The report is considered a bellwether for built environment professions, including planning, as well as the larger economy.

An article published by Building Enclosure provides insight into the report's findings, which updates data through the first month of 2021: "AIA’s Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score for January was 44.9* compared to 42.3 in December (any score below 50 indicates a decline in firm billings). Last month’s score indicates overall revenue at U.S architecture firms continued to decline from December to January, however, the pace of decline slowed."

The AIA's Architecture Billings Index breaks down the financial data by region. By geography, the South is performing best, relative to other regions, with an index of 47.4. The worst performing, the Northeast, had an index of 41.9 in January 2021.  

Checking in with the ABI throughout the past year, Planetizen noted the state of the ABI as important junctures of the pandemic economic downturn, including a strong sector just previous to the shutdowns and economic downturn in Spring 2020, the eventual collapse of business as the pandemic lingered, and the first signs of a potential recovery in the fall of 2020.

Monday, March 1, 2021 in Building Enclosure

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 23, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Floor-to-ceiling rotating gates at Fairmount subway station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Crime Continues to Drop on Philly, San Francisco Transit Systems

SEPTA and BART both saw significant declines in violent crime in the first quarter of 2025.

April 28 - Mass Transit

South LA Wetlands Park in Los Angeles, California.

How South LA Green Spaces Power Community Health and Hope

Green spaces like South L.A. Wetlands Park are helping South Los Angeles residents promote healthy lifestyles, build community, and advocate for improvements that reflect local needs in historically underserved neighborhoods.

April 28 - ABC 7 Eyewitness News

Intersection in downtown Sacramento, California with neoclassical building with columns on left.

Sacramento Plans ‘Quick-Build’ Road Safety Projects

The city wants to accelerate small-scale safety improvements that use low-cost equipment to make an impact at dangerous intersections.

April 28 - The Sacramento Bee