AIA Releases Results of Q4 Home Design Trends Survey

Washington, DC, January 6, 2020-Results from The American Institute of Architects (AIA) fourth quarter Home Design Trends Survey indicates demand for contemporary home styles continues to increase in popularity, followed by modern farmhouse styles.

The latest survey results-focusing on community and neighborhood design-also reveal a continued preference among households for smaller land parcels closer to urban centers-known as infill developments-tops the list of neighborhood design trends for the 11th consecutive year.

“On the development side, the popularity and convenience of urban living remains the impetus for high levels of infill projects,” said AIA chief economist, Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. “From a home design perspective, low maintenance and durable building materials continue to increase in popularity.”

Findings also show project billings and inquiries remained strong at residential architecture firms during the third quarter, however project backlogs at firms decreased.

Other findings from the fourth quarter survey, include:

* Demand for fire resistive design and exterior materials is growing, with an increase in popularity of eight points from 2018.

* Residential architecture firms in the Northeast and South saw slower growth in revenue this quarter, but billings at firms in all regions continued to expand.

* Addition and alteration remodeling activity saw a five-point decline from 2018.

* Design of new affordable homes continued to weaken while fewer firms reported growth in most other sectors.

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