Outdoor living rooms remain extremely popular special function room

For
immediate release:

Washington, D.C. – September 18, 2017 – For the sixth consecutive year,
outdoor living rooms have taken the top spot in terms of growing consumer
interest among special function rooms. Following in second and third for
special function rooms are mud rooms and home offices, respectively, as interest
in these spaces has seemingly plateaued.
These are some of the findings from The American Institute of
Architects’ (AIA) Home Design Trends Survey covering activity during the second
quarter of 2017 that focused on emerging home features, systems and
technologies.

“Prior to the housing downturn, home offices maintained a solid hold as the
most requested special function room,” said AIA Chief Economist, Kermit Baker,
PhD, Hon. AIA.  “Obviously new home
technology offerings have influenced residential design trends, but the impact
of the Great Recession can still be seen through homeowner interest in better
use of existing space.”

All the data from this survey can be accessed in this infographic.

“Not surprisingly
demand for greater accessibility features continues to be strong,” Baker added.
“Whether it’s a result of generally lower mobility or the aging baby-boomer
population, homeowners are preparing for the future.”

“As more automation
products become available, homeowners continue to explore new ways to maintain
their spaces with greater ease,” said Baker.

Housing market
business conditions

AIA Home Design
Survey Index for Q2 2017 (any score above 50 is positive)

Billings: 60

Inquiries for new projects: 66
Regional averages: South (64.7), West (63.1), Midwest (58.8), Northeast (48.7)

“Activity in the additions and remodeling segments are
picking up pace. This is a positive sign for the greater housing market in
2018,” Baker concluded.

About the AIA Home
Design Trends Survey

The AIA Home Design
Trend Survey is conducted quarterly with a panel of over 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 community design trends (December 2017), and kitchen and bath trends
(April 2018).

About The American Institute of Architects

Founded
in 1857, The American Institute of Architects consistently works to create more
valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings, neighborhoods, and
communities. Through nearly 300 state and local chapters, AIA advocates for
public policies that promote economic vitality and public wellbeing. Members
adhere to a code of ethics and conduct to ensure the highest professional
standards. AIA provides members with tools and resources to assist them in
their careers and business as well as engaging civic and government leaders and
the public to find solutions to pressing issues facing our communities,
institutions, nation and world.