The Architecture Billings Index (ABI) has reverted into negative territory for the last two months. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine- to 12-month lead-time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects reported the March ABI score was 49.6, up slightly from a mark of 48.8 in March. This score reflects a decrease in design activity (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The new projects inquiry index was 59.1, up from the reading of 57.9 the previous month.The AIA has added a new indicator measuring the trends in new
Total construction spending rose modestly for the third straight month in April as a mix of increases and declines in public and private categories showed the sector’s recovery remains fragile and fragmented, according to a recent analysis of new Census Bureau data by the Associated General Contractors of America. “Residential, private nonresidential and public construction spending all have areas of strength but also pockets of weakness,” said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. “While the overall trend remains more positive than last year, growth is likely to be spotty for the foreseeable future.”Construction put in place totaled $954 billion in
The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, which had decreased in April, improved moderately in May. The index now stands at 83.0 (1985=100), up from 81.7 in April. The Present Situation Index increased to 80.4 from 78.5, while the Expectations Index edged up to 84.8 from 83.9 in April. Consumers’ assessment of present-day conditions also improved in May. Those stating business conditions are “good” decreased to 21.1% from 22.2%, while those stating business conditions are “bad” declined to 24.1% from 24.8%.Consumers’ assessment of the labor market was more favorable. Those claiming jobs are “plentiful” rose to 14.1% from 13.0%, while
Denver-based Saunders Construction has invested in and established a partnership with Heath Construction, Fort Collins, that will allow Heath to acquire more local work and tackle more complex and larger projects in Northern Colorado’s accelerating construction market. “We’re a local construction company that now operates with the horsepower of a $400-million firm,” said Heath President Randy DeMario. “The investment has vastly increased our capabilities without compromising our local character and relationships with the local business community. Northern Colorado always will be our home.” “This is an investment where we share 50-50 ownership with Randy. It’s not a merger, acquisition or
The Institute for the Built Environment at Colorado State University will help working professionals learn how to align four key business sectors— people, resources, facilities and organization—with a new Integrated Sustainability Management Badge and Certificate program starting this summer. The program is targeted toward sustainability professionals working in all industries, and is divided into four 15-hour segments called badges. Those who complete all four badges earn the Integrated Sustainability Management Certificate.The People badge will teach participants about messaging, getting good data and knowing how to use it and designing effective behavior change campaigns. The Resources badge will cover supply chain
Construction firms added jobs in 39 states and the District of Columbia over the past 12 months and in 29 states and D.C. between March and April according to a recent employment analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data. “Growing demand for a range of construction services and better weather helped boost construction employment in most states in April,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “But we are still a long way away from getting back to the kind of employment levels the industry experienced nearly a decade ago.”Florida led all states in both
McKinstry and Douglas County School District (DCSD) are set to begin construction on planned facility improvements that will reduce the district’s energy and operational costs by $248,177 a year. Construction will take place at ThunderRidge High School and the Wilcox Building later this month. This is the second phase of an energy savings program involving McKinstry and DCSD, which began in 2013. Construction for the new phase is expected to be completed in September. The total cost of phase two is $4.72 million, which includes a one-time utility rebate of $173,881. The project will accomplish $2.1-million worth of previously unfunded
American businesses large and small say medical cost inflation, legal liabilities and technology risks are among their top concerns, according to the new annual Business Risk Index from insurance provider Travelers. A recent survey polled more than 1,100 business decision-makers to better understand what they believe pose the biggest threats to their business. Many leaders said the risks they identified as their biggest concerns are also the issues their business is least prepared to address.“While the new Business Risk Index revealed some typical risks for businesses, it also uncovered some uncertainties that are indicative of the times, including medical cost
The Denver Art Museum’s new administration building is now open and in full operation. The three-story, 50,000-sq-ft structure is located on Denver Art Museum (DAM) property formally used for staff parking, directly west of the DAM Hamilton Building and just south of the Clyfford Still Museum. Photo courtesy of Roth Sheppard Architects The new building consolidates the museum’s 100-plus employees, including administration, curators and others, allowing for greater cross-campus collaboration. Its modernist interior has been designed to heighten staff creativity and productivity, while the structure’s exterior completes Denver’s iconic Civic Center Cultural Complex, according to the designers.In addition to staff
Donors, educators and students celebrated the early May groundbreaking of the University of Denver’s new Daniel Felix Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science, the future home of the Knoebel Center for the Study of Aging.The $47-million, 130,000-sq-ft, five-story project is designed to organize instruction and research by theme. Facilities will include common spaces, laboratories and classrooms, bringing together science, engineering, robotics and social sciences. Rendering by AMD, DU Architects Office, courtesy of GH Phipps The new building’s engineering and computer science elements will be named after Chancellor Emeritus Daniel Ritchie’s father, the result of Ritchie’s lead gift on the
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