Biography

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, as well as the AIA Consensus Construction Forecast Panel, and writes a regular economics column for the AIA member electronic newspaper, AIArchitect.

Kermit also is the Project Director of the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University. This research effort is aimed at developing an improved understanding of the dynamics of the U.S. repair and renovation industry.

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. During his ten years at Reed, he developed the Top U.S. Construction Markets Report, and served as editor of Reed Business Information’s Building and Construction Market Forecast newsletter.

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.