On the Bumpy Road

The latest Architectural Billings Index was released this week and while it was better than the previous month, it still struggled more than we would like.  The main index came in at 44.9 which is still not close enough to the break-even of 50 for anyone’s liking.  The good news did come in that design contracts were up a bit to 48.1 and the inquiries remained strong posting a 56.8.  This is certainly a slower start to the year than we hoped and if we don’t start to climb out of the depths soon, the alarms will surely be ringing.  As always, a couple keys for our world continue to be a push to make sure you are as diverse as possible and communicating at the most effective level with your supply chain.  We knew the bumpy road was out there and we’re looking at it straight ahead right now….

 

Elsewhere….

 

--  Congrats to Josh Wignall on his move to Quaker Window & Doors.  He announced that last week and what a great thing for both Josh and Quaker.  Josh is one of the most talented folks we have in this industry and I am excited to see what he does in his new home! 

 

--  While we are at it-  props to Cameron Wyatt and the team at Bonelli Doors & Windows.  They recently launched a new website and it is spectacular.  Great looking projects and user friendly.  Good stuff and a super representation of our industry.

 

--  Once again time for a list- this time the Top 10 States in the US for Green Building came out.  It is based on the amount of green related square footage built. Shall we take a look?

10- Nevada- Very surprised here- did not expect the excess of what usually comes here to be green

9- Texas- I’m a sucker for Texas so I think it should be higher LOL

8- Virginia- proximity to DC played a role

7- California- With how huge that state is and the attitude there- stunned it’s not higher

6- Maryalnd- See Virginia note

5- New York- See California note

4- Colorado- I guess they are green in a few ways there eh?

3- Illinois- Genuine surprise for me- didn’t expect them this high

2- Washington state- No doubt with Seattle’s intense push

And number 1 was Massachusetts.  Really wild considering the size of the state and a lot of previous “talk but no action” his time they delivered. 

 

--  Architizer has a contest going for best projects in North America and in promoting it showed a bunch of “Best of” from last year.  Check out the LINK HERE and look for the work you may have done.  Some excellent projects on here!  My favorite was the Perkins + Will one in Boston (last one pictured) though that one in Quebec City was incredible too.  

 

--  ICYMI- last week I did launch Episode 2 of the From the Fabricator Podcast.  The video of the cast can be found HERE and if you are into listening to it- it is on Apple, Spotify, Google and more- just search my name or From the Fabricator.  Thank you!  It was a fun one to so and I have already started on episode 3- excited for yet another cool mix of guests!  

 

--  Also the latest from John Wheaton are out and they are incredible.  The 2 most recent feature Jeff Heymann of Benson and Alfonso Lopez of Sentech.  Serious tech intelligence on those pods between John and guests.  Wow.  Here’s the link for them all. 

 

--  Last this week… So I was able to take in a movie at a theater (it was a special showing of “Hidden Figures” and I had not seen it before- tremendous movie and story) and the one thing that got me was I think the pandemic infused inflation is going to be something as we come out of this.  My soft drink was $6.25.  Popcorn $8.95.  Maybe that’s normal for some of you- but sure isn’t for me.  So I think folks are trying to make all they lost back quicker… and in a way I can’t blame em.  I continue to root for a return to normalcy for all!

 

LINKS of the WEEK

Wow.  Pre-lifestyle change me would be ALL OVER THIS… now I hope others enjoy for me.  

 

I’m a big University of Michigan guy… but venomous spiders there have me spooked- no way!

 

Have you seen the new US Postal vans yet?  Auto Glass people must be thrilled- look at the size of that windshield????

 

PROJECT of the WEEK

This one ended up on my LinkedIn feed and it is so cool.  This is a school job from Prime Architectural Metal and Glass that Rose Andersen there posted.  Look at the custom color face caps!  Just a great use of color and creativity for a school setting.  Kudos to the team at Prime, along with a great design from Wight & Company.  CMI Architectural Products was listed as responsible for the curtain wall.  Well done everyone!!