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Home Design Trends
AIA’s first trends survey shows greater demand for accessibility, informal living

by Kathleen Stoehr

When it comes to their homes, Americans are looking for greater accessibility, fewer steps, a single-floor design and more informal space with an open layout. Those findings were among the results of the American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) first-ever Home Design Trends Survey.

AIA’s survey highlights an increasing demand for easier mobility within the home, reflecting an aging U.S. population and the Baby Boomer generation approaching retirement, it says. It also shows that, overall, business is good. Fueled by a strong housing market, architecture firms working in the residential sector have reported favorable business conditions, with 44 percent of respondents indicating that their overall billings increased by more than five percent in the first quarter of 2005, while only 10 percent reported declines in billings from the fourth quarter of 2004.

“Our data demonstrate that the remodeling market, for both additions/alterations and kitchen/bath renovations, were the strongest sectors in the residential market for the first quarter of 2005,” said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD., Honorary AIA. “Additionally, the condominium and townhouse market was nearly as strong, with over half of firms reporting improving conditions for these units. We have found that the primary drivers in this particular market are young adults and empty-nesters who are interested in moving into urban neighborhoods.”

Move-up homes (newly constructed homes designed to appeal to households trading up to a more expensive home), custom/luxury homes and second/vacation homes were rated as reasonably strong sectors. Each of these sectors had two to three times as many firms rating them as improving as compared to the those rating them as weakening. The only sector not showing strong improvement was the entry level/affordable home sector.

More than 40 percent of firms working on residential projects report the square footage of homes still is increasing. In many cases, the volume of homes is increasing. More than half of firms say ceiling heights are increasing, as is the popularity of two-story entryways and vaulted ceilings.

Baker also stated, “There has been a significant shift in consumer preference from formal living and dining rooms toward more informal spaces‚ featuring an open space layout of family rooms, dens and activity rooms.”

KEY FINDINGS

• Informal space: 66 percent of firms reported that “informal space” is increasing, along with a trend toward an open space layout in the home.

• Accessibility: 62 percent of firms reported that homes are becoming more accessible with features such as wider hallways, fewer steps and the growing popularity of single-floor design.

• Home layout: 49 percent of firms reported that finished basements and attics are increasing in popularity as owners of older homes are looking to increase living space.

• Outdoors: 48 percent of firms reported upscale landscaping is on the increase, as is the popularity of outdoor living space with features such as decks, porches and patios.

• Home size: 40 percent of firms reported square footage of homes is still increasing, while only 13 percent report declines.

• Amenities: 30 percent of firms reported the increase in other outdoor amenities including swimming pools, tennis courts and gazebos.

BUSINESS BEST IN SOUTH

Firms in all regions of the country reported positive business conditions, with those in the South experiencing the greatest gains and those in the Midwest lagging behind the other regions. What’s more, there are no signs of a slowdown. More than half of the firms responding report that inquiries for new work also increased during the first quarter of the year.

Another contributing factor to the continued health of the housing market is the backlog of projects that firms have reported. The average project backlog of work under contract necessary to keep an entire staff fully employed is five to five-and-a-half months. This figure is especially significant due to the relatively short design period and tight schedules of many residential projects.

The AIA Home Design Trend Survey is conducted quarterly with a panel of 600 architecture firms that concentrate their practices in the residential sector. Future surveys will cover home features (special function rooms and special features in homes), emerging design trends (design of communities, use of technology in the home, new residential products) and kitchen and bath features and products.

Since 1857, the AIA, Washington, DC, has represented the professional interests of America’s architects. As AIA members, nearly 75,000 licensed architects, emerging professionals and allied partners express their commitment to excellence in design and livability in the nation’s buildings and communities. Members adhere to a code of ethics and professional conduct that assures the client, the public and colleagues of an AIA-member architect’s dedication to the highest standards in professional practice.