Architects are happy to be at least talking about working

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There is an old saying that the guys who talk about, um, lovemaking the most are the ones doing it the least. Architects too are still more talk than action these days, but the rising level of discourse is getting them excited.

The American Institute of Architects, the leading trade group for the profession, said today that while only a few new design jobs started last month, there was a lot of discussion with potential clients about possibly starting jobs in the near future.

The AIA said its index of ‘work on the boards’ reported by architects was 43.1 last month, up from 41.7 in August. The score must rise above 50 to indicate an increase in billings. The new projects inquiry score, however, was 59.1, its highest level since September 2007.

“The fact that inquiries for new project are so high is an encouraging sign that we may be seeing new construction activity entering the design phase,” said the AIA’s chief economist, Kermit Baker. “But that optimism has to be tempered by the fact that the marketplace is so competitive that firms are broadening their search for new projects, thereby inflating the number of inquiries that they are reporting. However, some larger stimulus-funded building activity should be coming online over the next several months, partially offsetting the steep decline in private commercial construction.”

-- Roger Vincent