Aug 31 2005
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) announces the results of the Home Design Trends Survey for the second quarter of 2005.
The rise in telecommuting and the continuing escalation in the price of gasoline have led to home offices becoming the most popular special function room that architects are being asked to design, with almost half of the survey respondents saying that they are increasing in demand. The drop in price and the increased availability of audio and video technology options has translated into a surge in popularity for home theaters as well.
“The overall theme that was discovered from these survey results is that home features are now emphasizing convenience and informality. Upscale entryways and hallways have waned a great deal in popularity, while home features such as siding, decking, countertops, and floor and wall finishes are being designed for flexibility and ease-of-use,” said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA.
The full report is available at http://www.aia.org/econ_designsurvey_results
Cognizant of ever-increasing energy costs, consumers are also becoming increasingly sensitive to energy usage within the home. Over 40% of survey respondents reported an increase in the popularity of efficient energy-management building principles and materials, such as solar, geothermal, and renewable electrical energy sources.
Home Design Trends Survey Highlights:
Special function rooms
- Hobby / game rooms: 30% of firms reported an increase in popularity
- Au pair / in-law suites: 22% of firms reported an increase in dedicated wings or additions for in-home child care providers, and for bringing elderly parents into the home (reflective of an aging population)
Special systems
- Security systems: 32% of firms reported an increase in popularity
- Fire-safety: 23% of firms reported an increase in popularity
Housing market business conditions
- Remain strong at residential architecture firms; almost 40% of respondents claimed that billings increased in the second quarter, while only 10% reported a decline
- Conditions strongest in the South for second consecutive quarter; weakest in the Northeast
Baker also stated that, “An encouraging bit of news for the continued health of the housing market overall, in addition to the reported increase in billings at residential architecture firms, is the fact that 42% of survey respondents reported an increase in inquiries for new projects during the second quarter, which is indicative of future construction activity in this sector.”
The AIA Home Design Trend Survey is conducted quarterly with a panel of 600 architecture firms that concentrate their practice in the residential sector. The next survey will cover emerging design trends (design of communities, use of technology in the home, new residential products), with results being made available the first week of November 2005, followed by a survey on kitchen and bath features and products, with those results available the first week in February 2006.