The American Institute of Architects

Build your firm’s path to AI readiness The AI Firm Toolkit helps architecture firms of every size and at every stage understand artificial intelligence, assess their readiness, develop responsible AI policies, and use AI in architectural practice. Whether your team is just beginning to explore AI or already integrating it into everyday workflows, the toolkit provides a clear path forward on how to implement AI in architecture firms.

“Community-wide emergencies are striking more often and hitting harder than ever before. Architects have a vital role to play in emergency response, resilience, and recovery—one that too often goes unseen,” said 2026 AIA President Illya Azaroff, FAIA. “Through our partnership with emergency managers across the country, our local AIA chapters, and programs like our Safety Assessment Program (SAP) Training, we are putting architects where their expertise is needed most.

Architecture firm billings remain weak in July The AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index® (ABI) score for the month was 46.6, indicating somewhat further softening from June. The persistent downturn in business conditions now extends to nearly three and a half years, as many firms continue to struggle to grow their billings. Clients are still bringing business to firms, as inquiries into new projects rose again in July, although at a slower pace than in June.

WASHINGTON – August 19, 2026 – The AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index® (ABI) score for July was 46.6, signaling a modest decline from June. This ongoing slump in business conditions has now stretched to nearly three and a half years, the longest in the ABI’s history. Clients continue to show interest, as inquiries for new projects rose again in July, though more slowly than in June.

About the live course The AIA /AAH Case Study Library, led by the Research Initiatives Committee, transforms award-winning health care projects into a shared, practical resource—enabling design decisions that improve patient safety, clinical outcomes, and user well-being.

About the live course National Preparedness Month is a reminder that effective disaster response begins long before the storm. This webinar explores the proactive role architects can play in developing temporary housing solutions that are ready to deploy when communities need them most. Rather than waiting for a catastrophe to drive action, this session explores how AIA chapters and their members can prepare before disasters and support communities through recovery afterward.

AIA chapters Your AIA chapter is more than just a network—it’s part of your professional home base, a trusted space for guidance, support, and inspiration. With over 200 chapters worldwide, there's always a colleague to lean on, an event to spark new ideas, and a resource to help you navigate economic uncertainties. Find your chapter and plug into a powerful community. AIA Knowledge Communities AIA’s Knowledge Communities are your source for new connections & information.

Richard Branch joined AIA in 2026, succeeding Kermit Baker, Hon. AIA, PhD, as AIA’s chief economist. Branch came to AIA from Dodge Construction, where he was the chief economist as well. In this Q&A, Branch discusses his role, how firms can use data like the AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index® (ABI), and the ways he hopes his work will support AIA members. Answers have been edited for concision and clarity. AIA Architect: How would you describe your role at AIA?

An Introduction to AI in Architecture Take four short, self-paced courses on foundational AI literacy, responsible practices, low-risk opportunities for adoption, and how data quality affects AI performance.

Repeat clients are what every design firm hopes for, particularly if the former inspires and challenges the latter to grow creatively and technically. Since 1973, Centerbrook has maintained an enviable role as the de facto architect and planner for Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL), a private, not-for-profit biomedical research and educational institution. A nineteenth-century whaling company once occupied CSHL’s idyllic 115-acre, waterfront campus on Long Island’s Gold Coast.