U.S. Architecture Billings End 2013 on a Low Mark

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Architecture billings dropped in December for the second month in a row, marking the first two-month decline since the middle of 2012, according to the American Institute of Architects.

The billing index reached 48.5 in December, dropping from the November level of 49.8. As expected, severe weather conditions in parts of the country played a role in the decrease, but it wasn't the only factor, the firm states.

Architecture firms in the Northeast and Midwest reported a decrease in business conditions in December. This marks the third straight month of declines for the Northeast, and is the region's steepest decline since the depth of the recession in early 2009. On the other hand, firms in the South and West reported "reasonably healthy" business conditions in December, according to the AIA.

As the housing market recovers, firms are reporting higher business for the residential market than both commercial and industrial.

Despite improving conditions for the broader economy, the top concern for architecture firms in 2014 is an uncertain economy, as uncertainty among owners and developers has previously delayed projects.