Washington, D.C., February 14,
2008 — Renewable materials and energy-efficient products for kitchens
and baths have risen in popularity, while economic concerns among
homeowners has resulted in a decline in demand for high-end
appliances and features. To accommodate an aging and less mobile
population, there is also a greater emphasis on accessibility and
adaptability throughout the home. These findings are from the
American Institute of Architects (AIA) Home Design Trends Survey
focused specifically on kitchen and bathrooms in the fourth quarter
of 2007. Residential architects have reported the weakest business
conditions in the three-year history of this survey, indicating
that the housing market is not poised for a recovery in the near
term.
Click here for link to the full report
“Kitchens continue to be the dominant design area within the
home, with dedicated computer work areas or cell-phone and personal
digital assistant recharging stations becoming an emerging trend.
There is also a growing interest in eco-friendly features for
kitchens such as bamboo and cork flooring, and concrete and bamboo
countertops,” said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon.
AIA.
A recent AIA poll of registered voters revealed that 90% of
respondents said they would be willing to pay $5,000 more for a
house that would use less energy and protect the Earth.
| Popular kitchen products and
features* |
2007 |
2006 |
| • Renewable flooring materials: |
61% |
53% |
| • Computer area / recharging stations: |
56% |
n/a |
| • Larger pantry space: |
51% |
64% |
| • Renewable countertop materials: |
49% |
n/a |
| • Wine refrigerators / wine storage: |
49% |
53% |
| • High-end appliances: |
47% |
65% |
| • Drinking water filtration systems: |
44% |
37% |
| • Recycling center: |
45% |
48% |
| • Integration with family space: |
43% |
48% |
* Index score computed as % of respondents reporting increasing
minus those reporting decreasing popularity
Baker added, “Water saving toilets and LED lighting options
have become more popular in bathrooms, along with continued strong
demand for radiant heated flooring. Conversely, there has been a
drop-off among homeowners looking for high-end features including
towel warming drawers, double-sink vanities and whirlpool
baths.”
“To promote greater accessibility, there is a much greater
emphasis on universal design elements in bathrooms and features
like doorless and handheld showers.”
| Popular bathroom products and
features* |
2007 |
2006 |
| • Radiant heated floors: |
60% |
62% |
| • Multi-head showers: |
59% |
62% |
| • Doorless showers: |
59% |
47% |
| • Accessibility / universal design: |
58% |
48% |
| • Water saving toilets: |
57% |
n/a |
| • Hand showers: |
42% |
36% |
| • LED lighting: |
39% |
n/a |
| • Linen closet / storage: |
30% |
36% |
* Index score computed as % of respondents reporting increasing
minus those reporting decreasing popularity
Housing market business conditions
AIA Home Design Survey Index for Q4 2007 (any score above 50 is
positive)
• Billings: 42 (down from 47 in Q3 2007)
• Inquiries for new projects: 40 (down from 50 in Q3
2007)
“With billings and inquiries both down substantially from last
quarter and compared to the same period a year ago, the housing
market does not have a favorable outlook. Of additional concern is
the shrinking project backlog at residential architecture firms
meaning there is less work in the pipeline to keep staffs fully
billable,” said Baker.
Specific construction segments (index score
computed as % of respondents reporting improving minus those
reporting weakening conditions)
| • Kitchen and bath remodeling: |
25 |
| • Additions / alterations: |
22 |
|
• Custom / luxury home market:
|
-15 |
| • Townhouse / condo market: |
-34 |
| • Second / vacation home market: |
-41 |
| • Move-up home market: |
-45 |
| • First-time buyer / affordable home
market: |
-64 |
About the AIA Home Design Trends
Survey
The AIA Home Design Trend 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 overall home layout and use
(May 2008) specialty rooms and systems (September 2008) and
community design trends (December 2008).
About The American Institute of
Architects
For over 150 years, members of The American Institute of Architects
have worked with each other and their communities to create more
valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings and
cityscapes. AIA members have access to the right people, knowledge,
and tools to create better design, and through such resources and
access, they help clients and communities make their visions real.
www.aia.org
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