| |
Washington, D.C., March 1,
2006 — Kitchens have become the focal point of many U.S. households,
and as a result homeowners are looking for increased pantry space,
have a preference for high-end appliances and features, and a
desire for integration with family space. Bathrooms are
increasingly being designed with more room for separate or double
vanities, and include upscale products like multi-head showers,
steam showers, and heated floors and towel racks. These findings
are from The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Home Design
Trends Survey focused specifically on kitchen and bath trends in
the fourth quarter of 2005.
“Both the square feet devoted to kitchens and the number of
separate cooking facilities throughout the home are increasing,
including the additions of outdoor kitchens in many areas of the
country. As far as specific trends in kitchen design, granite
countertops, natural wood cabinets, and drinking water filtration
systems are especially popular,” said AIA Chief Economist
Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. “Upscale products and features
are going into bathroom design as well, noted by heated floors and
towel racks, and even fireplaces becoming more common in homes,
while heat lamps and whirlpools aren’t nearly as
prevalent.”
Full report:
http://www.aia.org/aiarchitect/thisweek06/0210/0210housingtrends.cfm
Popular kitchen products and features
• Larger pantry space: 56% of firms reported increased
popularity
• High-end appliances: 55% of firms reported increased
popularity
• Integration with family space: 53% of firms reported
increased popularity
• Natural stone counters: 53% of firms reported increased
popularity
• Island work areas: 35% of firms reported increased
popularity
• Natural wood cabinets: 32% of firms reported increased
popularity
• Synthetic solid surface countertops: 37% of firms reported
decreased popularity
Popular bathroom products and features
• Multi-head shower: 63% of firms reported increased
popularity
• Steam shower: 35% of firms reported increased
popularity
• Multiple vanities: 29% of firms reported increased
popularity
• Separate showers: 28% of firms reported increased
popularity
• Heat lamps: 41% of firms reported decreased popularity
• Whirlpools: 31% of firms reported decreased popularity
Housing market business conditions
AIA Home Design Survey Index for 2005 (any score above 50 is
positive)
2005 Billings Inquiries
Q1
67 72
Q2
65 66
Q3
63 64
Q4
57 61
Specific construction segments
• Additions / alterations: 38% of firms reported improving
conditions
• Kitchen and bath remodeling: 30% of firms reported improving
conditions
• Townhouse / condo market: 19% of firms reported improving
conditions
• First-time buyer / affordable home market: 25% of firms
reported declining conditions
• Move-up home market: 8% of firms reported declining
conditions
Baker added, “While still positive, growth in overall billings
at residential architecture firms slowed every quarter in 2005, as
did inquiries for new projects. Construction of new homes is
certainly easing off of the historic pace seen last year, but the
remodeling and renovation market remains strong despite higher
interest rates for home equity loans that might have translated
into slower activity in that sector.”
About the AIA Home Design Trends Survey
The AIA Home Design Trend Survey is conducted quarterly with a
panel of 600 architecture firms that concentrate their practice in
the residential sector. Residential architects are design leaders
in shaping how homes function, look, and integrate into communities
and this survey helps to identify emerging trends in the housing
marketplace. Business conditions are also monitored on a quarterly
basis. Future surveys will focus on home layout (June 2006),
special function rooms (September 2006), community design trends
(December 2006), and kitchen and bath trends (February 2007).
About The American Institute of Architects
For almost 150 years, members of The American Institute of
Architects have worked with each other and their communities to
create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings
and cityscapes. AIA members have access to the right people,
knowledge, and tools to create better design, and through such
resources and access, they help clients and communities make their
visions real. www.aia.org
|
