As the baby boom generation gets older, there has been a shift in what is being sought after in the market. A recent survey on residential architecture has found that firms have reported favorable business conditions; with 44% of respondents indicating that their overall billings increased by more than 5% in the first quarter of 2005, while only 10% reported declines in billings from the fourth quarter of 2004. These positive conditions have precipitated greater demands from consumers, specifically geared towards more flexible and accessible home design layouts. People are now using their homes in different ways, with increased interest in outdoor living, and additional focus on multi-use space and future accessibility issues. In this panel, AIA Chief Economist, Kermit Baker, discusses the changing residential market while Jeffrey Anderzhon, architect and consultant specializing in environments for the elderly, focuses on describing new and innovative design strategies that are being used to address the needs of an aging population. Residential design implications, including universal design elements, are the focus.

Key residential design trend findings:

• Accessibility: 62% 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
• Informal space: 66% of firms reported that “informal space” is increasing, along with a trend towards an open space layout in the home
• Home size: 40% of firms reported square footage of homes is still increasing, while only 13% report declines
• Home layout: 49% of firms reported that finished basements and attics are increasing in popularity, as owners of older homes are looking to increase their living space
• Outdoors: 48% 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
• Amenities: 30% of firms reported the increase in other outdoor amenities including swimming pools, tennis courts, and gazebos

Firms in all regions reported positive business conditions, with those in the South experiencing the greatest gains and those in the Midwest lagging behind the other regions. 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 one-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 practice 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.  Click here for the full report.

Video case studies of architect-client experiences are available at – http://howdesignworks.aia.org/

For additional information please contact the AIA Media Relations office at (202) 626-7467, or e-mail Scott Frank.