Architectural firms in the Midwest saw a resurgence in billings in November, according to the Architectural AIA/Deltek Architectural Billings Index.

According to a recent report, the index for Midwestern firms rose to 52.3 in November, its highest score since July 2022, when the index measured 52.2.

The Midwestern index score was well above the national score, which stood at 45.3 in November, the 13th consecutive month of declining billings across the country, the report said.

The Midwest’s performance suggests the region may be gaining ground compared to the broader national slowdown behind strong economic conditions.

“The Midwest is showing incredible resilience, proving that our region is ready to lead the turnaround for the architecture industry,” Jessica Reinert, executive director of AIA Iowa, said in the report. “Reaching a score of 52.3 — the highest we’ve seen since the summer of 2022 — signals that clients here are moving forward. While other regions face headwinds, Midwest firms are benefiting from a distinct stability and a pipeline of work that is beginning to flow again.”

Highlights from the November report include:

• Regional averages: Midwest (52.3); South (46.1); West (43.6); Northeast (43.1).
• Sector index breakdown: institutional (47.6); multifamily residential (46.6); commercial/industrial (45.2); mixed practice (firms that do not have at least half of their billings in any one other category) (44.5).
• Project inquiries index: 51.4.
• Design contracts index: 42.7.

The regional and sector categories are calculated as three-month moving averages and may not always average out to the national score.