ref: http://www.aia.org/econ_abi

The AIA’s Architecture Billings Index—the profession’s rough measure of
monthly architectural output—hit the lowest level in its 13-year history
in March, according to numbers released yesterday by the institute. The
index continued a slide that began in January, which bodes ill for the
architectural economy and the construction sector as a whole, because
the design phase is generally first in the building process. Inquiries
for new design projects also hit a record low.

cont'd....
http://archpaper.com/news/2008_0424.htm

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Layoffs at Frank Gehry's firm have L.A. architects on edge

cont'd....
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2008/04/layoffs-at-fran.html