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Mixed-use Development Strategy Key to Community and Neighborhood Planning as Reported in AIA Home Design Trends Survey
Business Conditions Point to Slowdown in Housing Market
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For Immediate Release |
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Washington, D.C., November 17,
2005 — A decade-long expanding housing market has resulted in
residential construction activity that is increasingly farther away
from downtown areas. The ensuing longer commutes to employment
centers, coupled with less access to shopping, public
transportation, recreational activities, and other services, has
created the opportunity for architects and planners to address
these concerns with mixed-use development projects that combine
commercial and retail options as part of residential properties.
These findings are from The American Institute of Architects (AIA)
Home Design Trends Survey for the third quarter of 2005, which
focused on neighborhood and community design strategies, in
addition to the technological options being utilized by
homeowners.
“To combat the isolation caused by distant residential
construction and to increase accessibility for households, we are
seeing a strong increase in community design trends that are
integrating more activities into housing development,” said
AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. “In addition
to mixed-use development strategies, sixty-three percent of
residential architecture firms reported that infill development
– where smaller land parcels closer to urban centers are
targeted for development – is another strategy that is
increasing in popularity.”
Click here for the full report: http://www.aia.org/econ_designsurvey_results
Home Design Trends Survey Highlights:
Community and neighborhood planning
strategies
• Infill development: 63% of firms reported an increase in
popularity
• Mixed-use development: 58% of firms reported an increase in
popularity
• Recreational opportunities: 45% of firms reported an
increase in popularity
• Access to public / alternative transportation: 43% of firms
reported an increase in popularity
• Higher-density development: 41% of firms reported an
increase in popularity
Technology options
• Wireless telecommunications and data systems: 70% of firms
reported an increase in popularity
• Energy-efficient products: 66% of firms reported an increase
in popularity
• Central audio systems: 48% of firms reported an increase in
popularity
• Automated lighting systems: 31% of firms reported an
increase in popularity
Housing market business conditions
• Residential architects are reporting signs of a market
slowdown, despite strong numbers for billings and inquiries for new
projects (scores of 63 and 64 respectively on a index where any
reading above 50 indicates growth in activity)
• The only segment that residential architects rate as
declining, is homes targeted for first-time buyers
• Conditions remain stable on a regional basis, with firms in
the South and West reporting improved billings over last
quarter
Baker also stated, “While the overall billings at residential
architecture firms remain solid, there are signs that the housing
market could be reaching its peak in many areas. New and existing
home inventories are beginning to grow, higher home prices are
limiting the number of potential buyers who can afford to purchase
a house, and decreases in mortgage applications to buy a home are
all indicative of a market that is ripe for a decline.”
About The AIA Home Design Trend 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. Past surveys have covered overall
residential trends and home features (special function rooms and
special features in homes). The final survey will be devoted
exclusively to kitchen and bath features and products, and the
results will be available in February 2006.
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
EDITOR’S NOTE: The business conditions
findings can be broken down on a regional, but not state-by-state
basis. AIA architects who comprise the Home Design Trends Survey
Advisory Panel are available to speak about specific residential
trends and their implications. For images or to schedule an
interview with Kermit Baker or a panel member please contact, Scott
Frank at 202-626-7467 or sfrank@aia.org.
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