The U.S. construction slump that has been lingering for two years finally began to take its toll on the leading domestic designers in 2003. Only a spurt in international results among ENR’s Top 500 Design Firms last year prevented further damage.

Total revenue for the Top 500 in 2003 fell 1.8% to $49.18 billion, from $50.11 billion in 2002. But the fall-off in revenue from U.S.-based projects was steeper. After nearly a decade of rising numbers, the group’s domestic revenue sagged 4.9% in 2003 to $39.03 billion, down from $41.02 billion in 2002.