Infill development along with an increasing demand for tear-down properties is a signal that urban housing continues to grow denser.  Showing signs of market saturation, demand for walkable neighborhoods, multi-generational housing and access to public transportation remains very strong, but improvement has leveled off, according to the findings from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Home Design Trends Survey for the third quarter of 2016, which focuses on community and neighborhood design.

AIA Home Design Trends Survey highlights

 (% respond. report. popularity of feature “increasing” minus % report. “decreasing”; Q3)

All of the data from this survey can be access in this infographic.

“After years of growth in multi-generational housing, we’re now seeing demand level off,” said AIA Chief Economist, Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. “This could be a result of a strengthening economy paired with a housing stock that can better accommodate homeowners’ needs in this area.”

(% respond. report. popularity of feature “increasing” minus % report. “decreasing”; Q3)

“As building product technologies advance, such as smart glass windows, demand for more and larger windows is increasing,” Baker added. 

Housing market business conditions
AIA Home Design Survey Index for Q3 2016 (any score above 50 is positive)

• Billings: 55
• Inquiries for new projects: 59
• Regional averages: Midwest (54.2), South (54.5), West (61.4) Northeast (45.1)

Baker noted, “Business conditions continue to strengthen across all regions, however the uneven housing recovery continues with a setback in demand for more affordable homes, as well as for second homes.”

(% respond. report. popularity of feature “increasing” minus % report. “decreasing”; Q3)