Accessibility and Outdoor Property Improvements Top List of Popular Home Characteristics
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Accessibility and Outdoor Property Improvements Top List of Popular Home Characteristics

Residential architects report improved conditions throughout the residential sector

Washington, D.C. – June 19, 2014 – The residential market continues to improve with architects reporting an increase in demand for larger homes. Additionally, architects are seeing a greater interest in accessibility features as well as outdoor living space.  These findings are from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Home Design Trends Survey for the first quarter of 2014, which focuses specifically on overall home layout and the use of interior and exterior space.  

“Facilitating greater accessibility into and around the home has become the dominant home layout consideration,” said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. “With home sizes increasing only modestly, households are investing more attention in exterior and property improvements.”

Overall home layout and size trends

Residential elements (% of respondents that reported increases)

2014

2013      

 

 

 

In-home accessibility                                                     

65%

64%       

Access in/out of home                                                          

55%

55%       

Informal space

52%

60%        

Open space layout                                                                         

50%

56%       

Single-floor plan                                                                              

47%

46%       

Volume

28%

24%       

Square footage               

15%

12%       

Lot size                                               

3%

3%       

Outdoor living and landscaping trends

Residential elements (% of respondents that reported increases)               

2014

2013                       

 

 

 

Outdoor living space                                                                      

69%

63%       

Low irrigation landscaping                                                           

60%

61%       

Blended indoor / outdoor living                               

56%

55%       

Rainwater catchment

44%

52%       

Exterior / security lighting           

36%

35%       

Housing market business conditions

AIA Home Design Survey Index for Q1 2014 (any score above 50 is positive)

Baker added, “Business conditions at residential architecture firms continue to show solid gains, as billings, new design contracts, and inquiries for future project activity are all improving.”

Specific residential segments*         

2014

2013   

 

 

 

Kitchen and bath remodeling

57

64

Remodeling additions / alterations

59

56

Custom / luxury home market

29

37

Move-up homes

27

33

Townhouse / condo market

15

13

First-time buyer / affordable home market

5

13

Second / vacation home market

-9

-5


“The trade-up and custom/luxury markets are seeing a fuller recovery, however, for both segments the pace of acceleration has slowed,” said Baker. “Less favorable weather conditions relative to the first quarter of 2013 may have played a role in the slowdown in improvement in these two sectors.”

About the AIA Home Design Trends Survey

The AIA Home Design Trend Survey is conducted quarterly with a panel of more than 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 2014), community design trends (December 2014) and kitchen and bath trends (February2015).

About The American Institute of Architects
Founded in 1857, members of the American Institute of Architects consistently work to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings, neighborhoods, and communities. Through nearly 300 state and local chapters, the AIA advocates for public policies that promote economic vitality and public well being.  Members adhere to a code of ethics and conduct to ensure the highest professional standards. The AIA provides members with tools and resources to assist them in their careers and business as well as engaging civic and government leaders, and the public to find solutions to pressing issues facing our communities, institutions, nation and world. Visit www.aia.org.



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