Energy Prices, Awareness Motivating Green Trend
Washington, D.C., September 13, 2007--A growing share of homeowners are concerned with utility costs, which has led to an increase in demand for energy efficient solutions, greater popularity of home offices, along with healthy business conditions in the home improvement sector.
These findings are from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Home Design Trend Survey for the second quarter of 2007 that focused on systems, technologies, and functional rooms in the home.
“As the environment and utility prices become more scrutinized, homeowners are demanding more energy efficient products and sustainable designs,” said AIA Chief Economist, Kermit Baker. “Structural insulation panels, geothermal heating / cooling systems, tankless water heaters and green flooring products such as bamboo and cork are all in high consumer demand.”
For the third straight year, home offices are the most popular special function room. Addressing specific design issues, Louis B. Smith, AIA, chair of the AIA Small Projects Practitioners committee said, “Homeowners are looking for more than just a desk in a bedroom. They are looking for additional acoustic privacy, better natural lighting and even separate entry for clients. An architect’s design can help create the proper relationship between the office and the home, as well as ensure a productive environment that allows for work to be accomplished comfortably and efficiently.”
AIA Home Design Trends Survey highlights 2007 2006
• Home office 61% 51%
• Hobby / game rooms 23% 28%
• Media / home theater 22% 18%
• Exercise / fitness 2% 15%
• Au-pair / in-law suites 20% 23%
• Kid’s wing / guest wing 16% 13%
(% respond. report. popularity of room “increasing” minus % report. “decreasing”; Q2:)
Products 2007 2006
• Tank-less water heaters 72% 58%
• Energy-efficient 69% 68%
• Low maintenance 65% 61%
• “Green” flooring 62% n/a
• Synthetic / engineered 61% 54%
• Reclaimed / salvaged 53% 53%
• Water saving 47% 45%
• Indoor air quality 41% 41%
• Thermal moisture control 38% 44%
(% respond. report. popularity of products “increasing” minus % report. “decreasing”; Q2:)
Systems / technologies
• Wireless telecom / data 65% 67%
• Energy management 56% 54%
• Geothermal heat / cool 46% n/a
• Central audio 40% 38%
• Automated lighting 35% 36%
• Air purification 32% n/a
(% reporting popularity of system “increasing” minus % reporting “decreasing”; Q2:)
Special home features
• Extra insulation 62% 45%
• Alt. insulation (e.g. panels; foam) 62% n/a
• Ramps / elevators 54% 41%
• Hurricane resistant design 36% 34%
• Easy-to-use features 32% 32%
• Three or more car garages 30% 23%
(% reporting popularity of system “increasing” minus % reporting “decreasing”; Q2:2007)
Housing market business conditions
While billings at residential architecture firms are representative of the slowdown in the overall housing sector, architecture firms are reporting steady backlogs for projects with an average of 5.3 months of work under contract. The market environment for home improvement projects, both for additions and alterations as well as kitchen and bath remodels, is reported as very healthy even though growth is not as strong as it was a year ago. With overall business conditions for residential architects generally comparable to a year-ago, there have been some regional changes.
Regional Conditions: 2007 2006
• Northeast 60 53
• South 49 54
• West 63 65
• Midwest 54 61
Diffusion index: 50 = no change from previous quarter; Q2
Specific construction segments
• Additions / alterations: 44% 52%
• Kitchen and bath remodeling: 38% 50%
• Custom / luxury home market: 12% -1%
• Townhouse / condo market: 10% 24%
• Second / vacation home market: -6% 2%
• Move-up home market: -2% -3%
• First-time buyer / affordable home market: -40% -25%
(% of respondents reporting sector “improving” minus % reporting “weakening”; Q2)
Related Topics:The American Institute of Architects