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Washington, D.C., June 8,
2006 — Residential architects report that there has been a sharp rise
in the popularity of outdoor living space, upscale landscaping, and
outdoor amenities. More attention and investment is now being
devoted to enhancing individual properties as the overall size of
U.S. homes has begun to level off after decades of expansion. These
findings are from The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Home
Design Trends Survey for the first quarter of 2006 that focused
specifically on overall home layout and use, and compared these
trends to the 2005 results.
“Almost two-thirds of architects reported an increase in
demand for outdoor kitchens, patios, and decks, which is a dramatic
surge from just one year ago,” said AIA Chief Economist Kermit
Baker, Hon. AIA, PhD. “With that there has been a penchant for
upscale landscaping and formal lot boundaries, as well as the
desire for outdoor amenities such as pools, tennis courts, and
gazebos.”
Even more so than last year, there is a continued desire for
greater accessibility within the home, as well as a preference for
more informal home layouts. Single-floor home design and open space
floor plans are on the rise as part of the trend to accommodate an
aging U.S. population.
Baker added, “These trends reflect different ends of the
demographic spectrum. The need for more ease of mobility within the
home – as evidenced by wider hallways and fewer steps –
is necessary in the design or renovation of houses that will be
used by ‘Baby Boomers’ entering their retirement years.
On the other hand, younger homeowners who grew up with very
structured, formal living rooms are far more apt to want an open
layout with less rigid boundaries.”
Full report: http://www.aia.org/aiarchitect/thisweek06/0609/0609kermit.cfm
AIA Home Design Trends Survey highlights
| Residential elements (% of respondents that
reported increases) |
2006 |
2005 |
| • Property lot |
7% |
5% |
| • Square footage |
32% |
42% |
| • Volume |
47% |
51% |
| • Finished attic / basement |
45% |
49% |
| • Informal space |
69% |
66% |
| • Greater accessibility |
66% |
62% |
| • Open space layout |
56% |
57% |
| • Single-floor plan |
39% |
29% |
| • Outdoor living space |
64% |
47% |
| • Upscale landscaping |
56% |
48% |
| • Outdoor amenities |
43% |
30% |
| • Lot boundaries |
30% |
25% |
Housing market business conditions
Billings at residential architecture firms declined each quarter
in 2005, but have rebounded slightly in the first quarter of 2006.
Inquiries for new projects have risen significantly, but are still
below levels from a year ago. While most construction sectors have
weakened compared to 2005 figures, the market for additions and
alterations to existing homes and kitchen and bath remodeling
continue to be very strong. The demand for new condo / townhouse
projects has fallen dramatically from last year, while the
first-time buyer / affordable home segment has gotten worse than
its already low numbers.
Specific construction segments (index score computes as % of
respondents reporting improving minus % weakening conditions)
• Additions / alterations: 60
• Kitchen and bath remodeling: 58
• Townhouse / condo market: 31
• Second / vacation home market: 22
• Custom / luxury home market: 16
• Move-up home market: 11
• First-time buyer / affordable home market: -24
About the AIA Home Design Trends Survey
The AIA Home Design Trend Survey is conducted quarterly with a
panel of 500 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 special function rooms and
technology systems (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.
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