Construction activity in Europe

Architects exert a significant influence on construction projects and the materials used. They are therefore regarded as a reliable source of information on the future business cycle in the construction industry. According to the European Architectural Barometer, which canvasses 1 200 architects in six European countries on a quarterly basis, ten per cent of UK architects reported an increase of five per cent or more in orders in the second quarter of 2012. The Barometer also showed that the Germans have been reporting sales increases since the beginning of 2010, and these have been growing steadily since then. The sales trend in France, the Netherlands, Spain and especially Italy is negative, however. When asked whether they were expecting empty order books in the next 12 months, 29 per cent of Italian architects and 43 per cent of Spanish architects answered in the affirmative. The market situation in France and the Netherlands is deteriorating again following a period of stability.