Mixed-use Developments Growing in Popularity

Washington, DC, December 6, 2007—Homeowners are looking for neighborhoods and communities designed to include greater access to public transportation, recreation, commercial and entertainment options, according to the American Institute of Architects Home Design Trends Survey.

“As a way to foster more community interaction, there has been a rise in demand for traditional neighborhood design that includes front and side porches, along with smaller lots where homes are facing the street,” said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker.

“Homeowners have also shown a clear preference for durable, low-maintenance exterior materials including fiber-cement, stone, tile, natural earth plasters, as well as sustainable roofing materials.”

Richard Jackson of the School of Public Health at UC Berkley noted, “The health challenges of the 21st century relate to an aging population and to lack of physical fitness with more chronic diseases, especially obesity, diabetes and depression. Well designed communities support vigorous living in walkable communities and active socializing in healthy ‘places of the heart’. Architects, builders, planners and developers must be included among today’s important health leaders.”

Residential architects have also felt the effect of the housing downturn by reporting weakening business conditions with actual billings, inquiries for new projects and work backlogs all down compared to last quarter and the same period in 2006.

On an up note, additions and major structural renovations, and kitchen and bath remodeling projects continue to be a source of revenue for residential architecture firms, and the custom / luxury home market has stabilized in recent months.

The percentages below represent the number who said conditions are improving in those segments.

• Additions / alterations: 35% • Kitchen and bath remodeling: 34% • Custom / luxury home market: -3% • Townhouse / condo market: -18% • Second / vacation home market: -23% • Move-up home market: -26% • First-time buyer / affordable home market: -54%

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