Specialty rooms, new systems, and technologies are all returning as a high priority among homeowners as the housing market continues to improve throughout the country. There is a particular emphasis on products offering energy-efficiency and fewer maintenance obligations. These findings are from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Home Design Trends Survey for the second quarter of 2013 that focused on emerging home features: systems, technologies and function rooms in the home.
“High demand for systems and technologies in the home that helps to lower utility bills and promote sustainability continue to rule the day in residential design,” said AIA Chief Economist, Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. “But as economic conditions have improved, there has also been a resurgence in the preference for dedicated
‘special function’ rooms within the home.”
|
AIA Home Design Trends Survey highlights |
2013 |
2012 |
|
Outdoor living rooms |
29% |
35% |
|
Home offices |
22% |
22% |
|
Mud rooms |
22% |
22% |
|
Au pair / in-law suites |
8% |
5% |
|
All other rooms |
5% |
5% |
|
Media / home theater |
4% |
7% |
|
Exercise / fitness rooms |
4% |
1% |
|
Safe rooms |
3% |
2% |
|
Hobby rooms |
3% |
1% |
|
TOTAL |
100% |
100% |
(most popular special function rooms, % of respondents)
|
Products |
2013 |
2012 |
|
Low maintenance |
59% |
65% |
|
Energy-efficient |
58% |
69% |
|
Tank-less water heaters |
51% |
58% |
|
Water saving |
48% |
51% |
|
Synthetic materials |
47% |
55% |
|
Recycled materials |
39% |
42% |
(% respond. report. popularity of products “increasing” minus % report. “decreasing”; Q2)
|
Systems / technologies |
2013 |
2012 |
|
Wireless |
63% |
48% |
|
Energy management |
53% |
48% |
|
Backup power generation |
48% |
44% |
|
Solar panels |
41% |
38% |
|
Automated lights |
31% |
14% |
|
Geothermal heating / cooling |
30% |
30% |
|
Security sytsems |
37% |
22% |
|
Electrical docking station |
29% |
22% |
(% reporting popularity of system “increasing” minus % reporting “decreasing”; Q2)
|
Special home features |
2013 |
2012 |
|
Extra insulation |
61% |
66% |
|
First floor master bedroom |
51% |
46% |
|
Ramps / elevators |
42% |
38% |
|
Easy-to-use features |
37% |
27% |
|
Hurricane resistant design |
37% |
25% |
(% reporting popularity of system “increasing” minus % reporting “decreasing”; Q2)
Housing market business conditions
AIA Home Design Survey Index for Q2 2013 (any score above 50 is positive)
- Billings: 66
- Inquiries for new projects: 68
Baker noted, “The market for remodeling and renovations has been pacing the upturn recently, helping to produce the best business conditions for residential architecture firms since before the Great Recession. Positive conditions should continue, since backlogs of future projects are increasing at a healthy rate.”
| Specific construction segments | 2013 | 2012 |
| Additions / alterations | 64% | 44% |
| Kitchen / bath remodeling | 61% | 44% |
| First-time buyer / affordable home market: | 15% | -11% |
| Move-up homes: | 35% | -4% |
| Custom / luxury home market: | 25% | -6% |
| Townhouse / condo market: | 13% | -28% |
| Second home: | -8% | -48% |
(% of respondents reporting sector “improving” minus % reporting “weakening”; Q2)
