(Des Moines, IA) -- The pandemic this year has delayed plans for new commercial buildings. Jessica Reinert with the American Institute of Architects-Iowa Chapter says designers in Iowa have been busy with residential building and renovations, but the interest in commercial and or new office buildings has stalled.
She says the pandemic and a new presidential administration are causing the pause in new plans. Reinert says companies are waiting to see if workers will return to the office after the pandemic forced them to work from home.
The American Institute of Architects is pointing to a slow-down throughout this year, similar to what happened in the 2008 recession.
A study by the association finds the pace of decline during November accelerated from October, posting an Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score of 46.3 from 47.5 (any score below 50 indicates a decline in firm billings). The pace of inquiries into new projects slowed, but remained positive with a score of 52.0, however the value of new design contracts dipped back into negative territory with a score 48.6.
“History shows that we won’t see a straight line of growth after a downturn hits,” said AIA Iowa Executive Director, Jessica Reinert, Hon. AIA Iowa. “ The path to recovery may be a long one but the Midwest sector seems to be faring better than other areas in the nation. Overall the construction industry has been hit like all other industries in this pandemic and we are waiting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.”
Key ABI highlights for November include:
• Regional averages: Midwest (50.1); West (48.3); South (46.7); Northeast (38.7)
• Sector index breakdown: multi-family residential (52.2); mixed practice (49.5); commercial/industrial (47.5); institutional (41.9)
(Photo from American Institute of Architects-Facebook)