Februarys AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index (ABI) has shown a continued weakening of billings across the country. The new score of 45.5 can be seen as an indicator of an unfavorable economy for architecture, as newly signed design contracts have now decreased for the past twelve consecutive months.Billings were soft in every region, with business conditions remaining weak in every area of specialization. This is also the fourth consecutive ABI to record a decline."Conditions in the broader economy were generally positive in February, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increasing by only a modest amount, long-term interest rates easing from January levels, and healthy job growth," AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker stated. "However, uncertainty surrounding the impact of recently announced tariffs may lead to a rise in building material prices in the coming months while immigration policy may put even more pressure on an already undersupplied construction labor market."Relate...