Iowa architectural firms reported a stabilized market and optimistic employment outlook in the April AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index.

That is in contrast to instability identified by national firms in the survey.

According to the index, the national score fell from 49.8 in March to 48.3 in April, signaling that more firms reported a decline in billings rather than an increase. The Midwest region mirrored the national conditions with an index score of 48.

But, according to the April survey, the Iowa market report shows that Iowa firms are “actively adapting to new market realities, with a robust recovery in billings growth surging to 27% statewide, up from 12% in the previous quarter.”

While national architecture firm billings declined modestly in April amid broader economic instability, architecture firms across Iowa continue to demonstrate resilience, reporting a stabilized market and robust employment outlook.

“Although the national AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index reflects a continued softening in the broader market, architecture firms across Iowa are demonstrating remarkable resiliency,” said Jessica Reinert, executive director of AIA Iowa. “Nationally, commercial and industrial sectors are seeing declines but here in Iowa, our latest AIA Iowa Market Report reveals a surge in the office sector and a robust recovery in billings.”  

The report showed that new project inquiries increased for the third straight quarter. In Iowa, mid-sized projects, or those between $1 million and $10 million, were the backbone of firms’ work. There was also a preference for new construction over adaptive reuse, the report showed.

The report also signaled a strong employment outlook, with 92% of local firms actively hiring or maintaining their workforce, with just 4% reporting layoffs.