AIA: Home Sizes Level Off

Washington, DC, May 3, 2007--Homeowners are increasingly requesting greater accessibility within the home through wider hallways, fewer steps and single-floor design. Home sizes and lots have been stabilizing in recent years which are leading to greater attention being paid to outdoor living space that includes upscale landscaping, fireplaces, kitchens, courtyards, gazebos, swimming pools and tennis courts. These findings are from The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Home Design Trends Survey for the first quarter of 2007 that focused specifically on overall home layout and use, and compared these trends to the 2006 results.

“The continued interest in greater accessibility is being driven by baby boomers approaching retirement who are adapting their homes to meet their longer-term needs, along with those who are caring for aging parents or relatives,” said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, Hon. AIA, PhD. “Along with accessibility is the desire for more flexible and less formal living space with a more open layout.”

As sizes of homes and properties level off, there has been a significant rise in the investment of outdoor living space. In addition to an outdoor extension of indoor living, there is also an increased popularity in formal lot boundaries and outdoor storage facilities.

Baker added, “Rising home energy costs and concerns over affordability are resulting in a decrease in extra interior spaces that add to heating and cooling expenses.”

Full report: http://www.aia.org/aiarchitect/thisweek07/0504/0504b_res.cfm

AIA Home Design Trends Survey highlights

Residential elements (% of respondents that reported increases) 2007 2006

• Greater accessibility 74% 66%

• Outdoor living space 63% 64%

• Informal space 63% 69%

• Open space layout 51% 56%

• Upscale landscaping 51% 56%

• Finished basement / attic 46% 45%

• Single-floor plan 43% 39%

• Outdoor amenities 41% 43%

• Volume 31% 47%

• Square footage 21% 32%

• Lot size 7% 7%

Housing market business conditions

AIA Home Design Survey Index for Q1 2007 (any score above 50 is positive)

• Billings: 50.8

• Inquiries for new projects: 54.8

Baker continued, “Residential architects reported continued weakness in business conditions, reflecting the general softness in the residential markets. Though both billings for existing projects at firms and inquiries for new projects improved modestly in the first quarter, this is likely just a seasonal effect, as billings and inquiries traditionally have rebounded during the first three months of the year.”

Specific construction segments (index score computed as % of respondents reporting improving minus % weakening conditions)

• Additions / alterations: 50

• Kitchen and bath remodeling: 47

• Custom / luxury home market: 5

• Townhouse / condo market: 3

• Second / vacation home market: -10

• Move-up home market: -14

• First-time buyer / affordable home market: -38

The AIA Home Design Trends 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 (September 2007), community design trends (December 2007) and kitchen and bath trends (February 2008).

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