Dive Brief:

• The Architecture Billings Index, generally considered a good indicator of construction activity nine months to a year hence, was under 50 in March, the American Institute of Architects reported.
• The scale is set so that a reading below 50 – in March it was 48.8 – means overall business for architects was shrinking nationally.
• Whether that reflects miserable weather that seemed like it would never end or economic conditions is a question that will focus a lot of attention on the April index when it comes out.

Dive Insight:

One argument for the decline being weather-related is that the Midwest and Northeast regions pulled down the national figure with readings of 46.6 and 46.8, respectively. The West and the South stayed in positive territory.