Healthy Growth Expected for Nonresidential Construction Market

Washington, D.C. – July 29, 2015 – Despite the adverse weather conditions that curtailed design and construction activity in the first quarter of the year, the overall construction market has performed extremely well to date. The greatest amount of activity was seen in the building of commercial properties – most notably offices and hotels – with an unusually high spike in manufacturing construction spending triggered by the surge in domestic oil and natural gas production.

The American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) semi-annual Consensus Construction Forecast, a survey of the nation’s leading construction forecasters, is projecting that spending will see a nearly nine percent increase in 2015, with next year’s projection being 8.2%.

INFOGRAPHIC: To see each of the panelist’s projections, click here

“Buoyed mostly by the red-hot commercial sector, spending on nonresidential buildings should be close to $360 billion this year, approaching $390 billion in 2016,” said AIA Chief Economist, Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. “But the demographic factors that are also fueling heavy demand for healthcare and education facilities are going to lead to a more balanced construction market in the foreseeable future.”

Market Segment Consensus Growth Forecasts		2015		2016
Overall nonresidential building		8.9%		8.2%
Commercial / industrial		12.3%		10.6%
Industrial facilities		21.9%		9.9%
Office buildings		14.7%		11.7%
Hotels		13.3%		12.4%
Retail		10.4%		8.9%
Institutional		2.8%		5.6%
Amusement / recreation		14.3%		5.9%
Healthcare facilities		2.4%		5.8%
Education		1.5%		5.9%
Public safety		-1.9%		2.9%
Religious		-5.3%		1.5%

About the AIA Consensus Construction Forecast Panel

The AIA Consensus Construction Forecast Panel is conducted twice a year with the leading nonresidential construction forecasters in the United States including, Dodge Data & Analytics, Wells Fargo Securities, IHS-Global Insight, Moody’s economy.com, CMD Group, Associated Builders & Contractors and FMI. The purpose of the Consensus Construction Forecast Panel is to project business conditions in the construction industry over the coming 12 to 18 months. The Consensus Construction Forecast Panel has been conducted for 16 years.

About The American Institute of Architects

Founded in 1857, the American Institute of Architects consistently work to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings, neighborhoods, and communities. Through nearly 300 state and local chapters, the AIA advocates for public policies that promote economic vitality and public wellbeing. Members adhere to a code of ethics and conduct to ensure the highest professional standards. The AIA provides members with tools and resources to assist them in their careers and business as well as engaging civic and government leaders and the public to find solutions to pressing issues facing our communities, institutions, nation and world. Visit www.aia.org.

Source: AIA.org