Outdoor Living Spaces More Popular

Washington, D.C., June 8, 2006--Residential architects report that there has been a sharp rise in the popularity of outdoor living space, upscale landscaping, and outdoor amenities. More attention and investment is now being devoted to enhancing individual properties as the overall size of U.S. homes has begun to level off after decades of expansion. These findings are from The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Home Design Trends Survey for the first quarter of 2006 that focused specifically on overall home layout and use, and compared these trends to the 2005 results. “Almost two-thirds of architects reported an increase in demand for outdoor kitchens, patios, and decks, which is a dramatic surge from just one year ago,” said AIA chief economist Kermit Baker, Hon. AIA, PhD. “With that there has been a penchant for upscale landscaping and formal lot boundaries, as well as the desire for outdoor amenities such as pools, tennis courts, and gazebos.” Even more so than last year, there is a continued desire for greater accessibility within the home, as well as a preference for more informal home layouts. Single-floor home design and open space floor plans are on the rise as part of the trend to accommodate an aging U.S. population. Baker added, “These trends reflect different ends of the demographic spectrum. The need for more ease of mobility within the home--as evidenced by wider hallways and fewer steps--is necessary in the design or renovation of houses that will be used by ‘Baby Boomers’ entering their retirement years. On the other hand, younger homeowners who grew up with very structured, formal living rooms are far more apt to want an open layout with less rigid boundaries.” Full report: http://www.aia.org/aiarchitect/thisweek06/0609/0609kermit.cfm AIA Home Design Trends Survey highlights Residential elements (% of respondents that reported increases) 2006 2005 • Property lot 7% 5% • Square footage 32% 42% • Volume 47% 51% • Finished attic / basement 45% 49% • Informal space 69% 66% • Greater accessibility 66% 62% • Open space layout 56% 57% • Single-floor plan 39% 29% • Outdoor living space 64% 47% • Upscale landscaping 56% 48% • Outdoor amenities 43% 30% • Lot boundaries 30% 25% Billings at residential architecture firms declined each quarter in 2005, but have rebounded slightly in the first quarter of 2006. Inquiries for new projects have risen significantly, but are still below levels from a year ago. While most construction sectors have weakened compared to 2005 figures, the market for additions and alterations to existing homes and kitchen and bath remodeling continue to be very strong. The demand for new condo / townhouse projects has fallen dramatically from last year, while the first-time buyer / affordable home segment has gotten worse than its already low numbers. Specific construction segments (index score computes as % of respondents reporting improving minus % weakening conditions) • Additions / alterations: 60 • Kitchen and bath remodeling: 58 • Townhouse / condo market: 31 • Second / vacation home market: 22 • Custom / luxury home market: 16 • Move-up home market: 11 • First-time buyer / affordable home market: -24

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