Demand for design services from architecture firms began to stabilize in June, following their peak declines in April, according to The American Institute of Architects (AIA).

“While business conditions remained soft at firms across the country, those with a multifamily residential specialization saw the most positive signs,” AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker said in a statement. “Unfortunately, conditions at firms with a commercial/industrial specialization are likely to remain weak for an extended period of time, until hospitality, office and retail facilities can fully reopen, and design demand for this space begins to increase.”

AIA’s Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score for June was 40.0, compared to 32.0 in May. The May ABI score indicates that a significant share of architecture firms still saw their billings decline from May to June; however, the share reporting declines slowed significantly. In the Northeast the score was 34.2. Index scores for new project inquiries and new design contracts also showed signs of stabilizing, posting scores of 49.3 and 44.0 respectively.