Even with modest improvements in the overall U.S. economy, nonresidential construction spending is expected to decrease by more than 20 percent in 2010. A marginal increase of 3.1 percent is expected in 2011. According to a recent construction report, poor conditions remain because of an over-supply of nonresidential facilities in most construction categories, weak demand for space, continuing declines in commercial property values and a strong reluctance by lenders to provide credit. "The steep decline in nonresidential property values has slowed investment in new facilities," says AIA chief economist Kermit Baker. "Conditions at architecture firms continue to remain very soft, but we're optimistic that they will improve before the end of the year." So just how is the glass-architecture interface adjusting to the dearth of new projects?
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