Kermit Baker

Kermit Baker is the Chief Economist for the American Institute of Architects in Washington, D.C. In this capacity, he analyzes business and construction trends for the U.S. economy and examines their impact on AIA members and the architectural profession. He originated the AIA’s “Work on the Boards” Survey, a monthly assessment of business conditions at architecture firms and the source of the widely followed Architecture Billings Index. He also coordinates the AIA Consensus Construction Forecast Panel, and writes regular economics columns for the AIA member electronic newspaper, AIArchitect.

Kermit also served as the Project Director of the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University from 1995 to 2021.

Prior to joining the AIA, Kermit was Vice President and Director of the Economics Department at Reed Business Information, where he was responsible for industry forecasting.

Kermit received his Masters degree in Urban Planning from Harvard University and holds a Ph.D. from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the same field. In 2002, Kermit was made an honorary member of the American Institute of Architects, and in 2006 was selected to the NAHB National Remodeling Hall of Fame.