Washington, D.C., June 10,
2008 — As the housing market woes deepen, inflation affects the overall
economy and utility costs continue to escalate, the size of the
typical U.S. home is declining. To address the needs of an aging
population there is an emphasis on greater accessibility throughout
the home. To add value and improve their properties, homeowners are
also investing in more outdoor living options with a trend toward
low-maintenance landscaping. Additionally, residential architects
report depressed business conditions, albeit with healthier
conditions for remodeling and renovation projects. These findings
from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Home Design Trends
Survey focus specifically on overall home layout and use in the
first quarter of 2008.
Click here for the full report
“The recent weakness in the housing market forces households
to be more sensitive to housing affordability concerns. Coupled
with rising home energy costs, this encourages many to rethink
their overall space needs,” said AIA Chief Economist Kermit
Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. “While smaller homes may be a short-term
response to economic conditions, there are signs that we may be at
the beginning of a longer cycle where house sizes stabilize or even
decline.”
Overall home layout and size highlights
| Residential elements (% of respondents that
reported increases) |
2008 |
2007 |
| • Greater accessibility |
67% |
74% |
| • Informal space |
61% |
63% |
| • Access in / out of home |
59% |
n/a |
| • Open space layout |
53% |
51% |
| • Finished basement / attic |
46% |
46% |
| • Single-floor plan |
40% |
43% |
| • Volume |
28% |
31% |
| • Square footage |
16% |
21% |
| • Lot size |
7% |
7% |
“Outdoor living elements continue to be extremely popular
and include traditional features such as decks, porches and patios,
with the addition of outdoor “rooms” and cooking areas as
a more recent trend,” added Baker. “Lately, data shows a
preference towards extending the home through blended indoor /
outdoor space.”
“There is still some interest in upscale landscaping elements,
but there is also growing demand for low-maintenance landscaping
options due to water conservation issues.”
| Outdoor living and landscaping highlights |
2008 |
2007 |
| • Low maintenance landscaping |
70% |
n/a |
| • Outdoor living space |
67% |
63% |
| • Blended indoor / outdoor living |
55% |
54% |
| • Upscale landscaping |
42% |
51% |
| • Exterior / security lighting |
39% |
n/a |
Housing market business conditions
AIA Home Design Survey Index for Q1 2008 (any score above 50 is
positive)
• Billings: 39
• Inquiries for new projects: 42
Baker continued, “With weak billings, inquiries for new
projects and project backlogs, evidence suggests that the
conditions in the residential market are not poised to improve
anytime soon.”
Specific residential segments (index score
computed as % of respondents reporting improving minus % weakening
conditions)
• Additions / alterations: 31
• Kitchen and bath remodeling: 25
• Custom / luxury home market: -21
• Townhouse / condo market: -34
• Second / vacation home market: -50
• Move-up home market: -51
• First-time buyer / affordable home market: -59
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 specialty rooms and systems
(September 2008) and community design trends (December 2008).
About The American Institute of
Architects
For over 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. By using sustainable design practices, materials, and
techniques, AIA architects are uniquely poised to provide the
leadership and guidance needed to provide solutions to address
climate change. AIA architects walk the walk on sustainable design.
Visit www.aia.org/walkthewalk.
|
