Demand for Special Home Features Wane while Energy Conservation Options Remain Popular

Tuesday, 06 October 2009 10:21

In light of the downturn in the housing market and overall economy, homeowners are still adding energy-efficient options and low maintenance produces, while showing a lessened interest in special features such as home theaters, guest wings and three-car garages. Business conditions at residential architecture firms are stabilizing with the entry-level housing market showing a movement towards recovery.

These findings are from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Home Design Trends Survey for the second quarter of 2009 that focused on emerging home features: systems, technologies and function rooms in the home.

“There has been a decrease in popularity for certain energy-efficient products or systems, but overall they continue to be in demand from homeowners,” said AIA Chief Economist, Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. “And reflecting the current economic conditions, we have also seen a significant drop in the investment in theaters, guest or kid wings, mud rooms and other specialty features.”

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AIA Home Design Trends Survey highlights	2009	2008
Home offices	43%	39%
Mud rooms	25%	32%
Hobby / game rooms	8%	8%
Au pair / in-law suites	7%	16%
Three or more car garages	-15%	-6%
Home theaters	-17%	-19%

(% respond. report. popularity of room “increasing” minus % report. “decreasing”; Q2:)

Products	2009	2008
Energy-efficient	80%	79%
Low maintenance	72%	70%
Tank-less water heaters	70%	88%
Water saving	62%	62%
“Green” flooring	59%	69%
Synthetic materials	59%	62%
Recycled materials	46%	60%

(% respond. report. popularity of products “increasing” minus % report. “decreasing”; Q2:)

Systems / technologies	2009	2008
Solar panels	55%	64%
Wireless systems	46%	49%
Geothermal heating / cooling	46%	48%
Energy management	40%	54%
Water reclamation	31%	41%
Air purification	19%	37%

(% reporting popularity of system “increasing” minus % reporting “decreasing”; Q2:)

Special home features	2009	2008
Alt. insulation (e.g. panels; foam)	68%	69%
Extra insulation	65%	68%
1^stfloor master bedroom	48%	n/a
Ramps / elevators	37%	43%
Easy-to-use features	36%	34%
Hurricane resistant design	28%	32%

(% reporting popularity of system “increasing” minus % reporting “decreasing”; Q2:2007)

Housing market business conditions

The extended slowdown in the housing market is showing signs of stabilizing with the residential billings index increasing almost 20 points over the past two quarters. The national billings index was 38 for the second quarter (any score below 50 indicates a decline in activity), up from the low mark of 24 the previous quarter. Inquiries for new projects also increased to a mark of 47 following a score of 35 in the first quarter of 2009.

Specific construction segments	2009	2008
Additions / alterations:	26%	26%
Kitchen and bath remodeling:	25%	22%
First-time buyer / affordable home market:	-13%	-46%
Move-up home market:	-35%	-44%
Custom / luxury home market:	-45%	-27%
Townhouse / condo market:	-49%	-49%
Second home:	-70%	-53%