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Residential business conditions weaken while remodeling remains popular, says AIA Home Design Trends Survey

2023-12-06T11:54:00-05:00

The American Institute of Architects has published its latest quarterly report on residential design in the United States. The AIA Home Design Trends Survey for Q4 2023 focused on the theme ‘neighborhood and community design,’ and revealed a desire among clients for simpler detailing on home exteriors and more windows.

Home exterior trends from the latest AIA survey. Image credit: American Institute of Architects

According to data from architects on client expectations, ‘contemporary home styles’ remain the most popular feature, mentioned by 51% of clients. ‘Simpler detailing on exteriors’ was requested by 29% of clients, and ‘front/side porches’ by 27% of clients.

On home exteriors, ‘low maintenance/durable exteriors’ was the most popular request, mentioned by 59% of clients. A focus on ‘windows (number and size) was cited by 48% of clients and ‘metal finishes’ by 35%.

Neighborhood/community trends from the latest AIA survey. Image credit: American Institute of Architects

On a neighb...

Residential business conditions are slowing, says latest AIA Home Design Trends Survey

2023-03-31T11:44:00-04:00

The American Institute of Architects has published its latest quarterly report on residential design. The AIA Home Design Trends Survey for Q1 2023 revealed evolving trends in kitchen and bathroom design, where homeowners have moved toward electric appliances and are making decisions based on long-term value.

Popular bathroom features from the latest AIA survey. Image credit: American Institute of Architects

33% of architects responding to the survey reported an increase in the number and size of bathrooms in their design proposals. The most desirable bathroom feature from clients was larger walk-in showers which saw a 60% increase in popularity from the previous year.

Other popular features were adaptability/universal design (52%), spa-like design (44%), and more daylight and natural lighting (38%). Popular products, meanwhile, included doorless/no threshold showers (60%), and smart toilets (27%).

Popular kitchen features from the latest AIA survey. Image credit: American Institute ...

Billings for residential work remain strong but slower times ahead, suggests AIA Home Design Trends Survey

2022-12-20T15:29:00-05:00

The American Institute of Architects has released their latest quarterly report into residential design. The AIA Home Design Trends Survey (Q4) revealed a contraction in the demand for residential design inquiries and design contracts, despite billings for residential projects continuing to increase.

Stylistically, the survey found that ‘contemporary’ home styles continue to be the most popular among clients, with 52% of architects reporting client popularity in the style increasing. Other styles or stylistic elements that saw popularity among clients included ‘front/side porches’ (38%), ‘simpler detailing on exterior’ (23%), and ‘modern farmhouse’ (19%).

Extract from AIA Home Design Trends Survey. Image credit: American Institute of Architects

The survey results also offer an insight into the most popular client requests for external elements. 62% of architects noted a demand for ‘Low maintenance/durable exteriors’ from clients, while 40% shared a client desire for higher quantity ...

AIA Home Design Trends Survey shows demand for larger homes remaining strong despite shortages

2022-07-01T10:00:00-04:00

The latest data from the American Institute of Architects shows a continued increase in a homebuilding trend that began in the throes of the pandemic and has not abated in the face of supply-chain shortages and several countervailing trends in the residential construction market.

According to the AIA’s newly-released Home Design Trends Survey, interest in larger homes has grown for a second consecutive year after remaining largely stagnant for a period of five.

Extract of the AIA Home Design Trends Survey. The full survey is available here.

ADUs and micro apartment designs saw slight decreases in demand but remain popular. Other trends, including aging-in-home options for seniors, saw increases as pandemic worries and a dramatic shift in working conditions caused a spike in demand for converted features like finished basements and garage spaces. The Q2 statistics also revealed a large number of blended indoor-outdoor areas being requested as well.

Extract of the AIA Home Design Tre...

AIA survey shows impact of pandemic and climate on client design requests

2021-09-21T12:59:00-04:00

The AIA has released the latest edition of its Home Design Trends Survey, covering the category of “home features.” The report found that quarantines, working from home, and climate change are among the factors contributing to changing home design trends. Among the key findings from the report were an uptick in demand for outdoor living space, multiple home offices, and exercise space, and features such as solar panels, backup power generators, and hurricane-resistant design.

The demand for outdoor living spaces continues to grow, with a 70% increase in popularity compared to 2020. Home office popularity increased 69%, while a demand for multiple offices or spaces for virtual meetings increased 48%. There was also a 39% increase in demand for exercise rooms/yoga spaces. Over half of respondents noted either outdoor living spaces or home offices as being the most popular special function room demanded by clients.

Extract from the AIA Home Design Trends Survey.

The report shows a not...

Demand for larger homes increased for first time in 5 years, says AIA survey

2021-06-29T11:16:00-04:00

Client interest in larger homes has increased over the past 12 months for the first time in five years, according to the newly published Home Design Trends Survey carried out by the American Institute of Architects (AIA). The survey results, free to view here, also note a sharp rise in demand for rental units and accessory dwelling units (independent dwellings located on the same lot as an existing dwelling).

Other notable trends include a significant increase in demand for the finishing of unfinished spaces such as basements, attics, and garages, and a dramatic increase in the popularity of outbuildings such as sheds, barns, and pool houses.

Extract of the AIA Home Design Trends Survey. The full survey is available here.

The number of respondents noting an increase in the square footage of housing projects rose 27% from 2020, with particular emphasis on custom/luxury/upper-end homes and additions/remodels. Meanwhile the popularity of rental units and accessory dwellings rose 20...

Home Design Trends Survey shows healthy business conditions for residential architects

2019-07-12T14:37:00-04:00

The overall size of new homes peaked in 2016 for this cycle and for the last three years has continued to moderate, according to new survey results from the American Institute of Architects (AIA). The Home Design Trends Survey for the second quarter of 2019—focusing on home and property design—also found that homeowners continue to place a priority on accessibility features.

"With home sizes plateauing and lot sizes continuing to decline, it isn’t shocking to see where that additional focus is going," commented AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. "Homeowners want more flexibility in their space, both inside and outside the house, and they want to use these spaces as they age."

The American Institute of Architects reports these business conditions for residential architecture firms for the second quarter of 2019:

Billings: 55.8
Inquiries for new projects: 57.1
Regional averages: Midwest (59.5), Northeast (59.5), South (56.1), West (50.2)

Find the full AIA Home Design Trends Survey here.

To get a better reading on the economic pulse of the U.S. architecture industry, make sure to follow our monthly Architecture Billings Index updates.