High-end Kitchen and Bath Product Popularity Drops

Washington, D.C – March 31, 2009 – As the housing market continues to suffer, demand is declining for upscale products and features for kitchens and bathrooms. There is also a greater emphasis on accessibility and universal design to make home life easier and safer for an aging population. Renewable materials and products that promote energy efficiency are still growing in popularity.
Residential architects have reported the weakest business conditions in the four-year history of this survey, indicating that the housing market is not yet showing signs of recovery. These findings are from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Home Design Trends Survey focused specifically on kitchen and bathrooms in the fourth quarter of 2008. 
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“Because of concerns over affordability and re-sale value, it’s not surprising that there has been a sharp decline in demand for high-end kitchen and bath products,” said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. “However, some products and features remain in high demand. Despite the difficult economic conditions, homeowners are extremely interested in renewable flooring and countertops, energy-efficient and water saving products, as well as having a dedicated recycling center.”

Popular kitchen products and features*	2008	2007
Renewable flooring materials	54%	61%
Larger pantry space	50%	51%
Renewable countertop materials	49%	49%
Recycling center	48%	45%
Computer area / recharging stations	48%	56%
Integration with family space	40%	43%
Drinking water filtration systems	31%	44%
Wine refrigerators / wine storage	27%	49%

* Index score computed as % of respondents reporting increasing minus those reporting decreasing popularity
Baker added, “A rise in demand for LED lighting options and a drop in interest of multi-head showers are reflective of both greater environmental awareness and desire to keep utility costs manageable. Homeowners are asking architects for ease of access in bathrooms, handheld showers and radiant heated floors.”

Popular bathroom products and features*	2008	2007
Water saving toilets	57%	57%
Accessibility / universal design	52%	58%
Radiant heated floors	50%	62%
Doorless showers	50%	59%
Hand showers	45%	42%
Multi-head showers	42%	59%
LED lighting	41%	39%
Linen closet / storage	25%	30%

* Index score computed as % of respondents reporting increasing minus those reporting decreasing popularity

Housing market business conditions
AIA Home Design Survey Index for Q4 2008 (any score above 50 is positive)

• Billings: 19.5 (down from 29.7 in Q3 2008)
• Inquiries for new projects: 18.4 (down from 28.0 in Q3 2008)

“While it’s natural that there is very little demand for move-up and vacation homes given the current state of the economy, this is the first time in the survey’s history that the additions / alterations and kitchen and bath remodeling sectors are reported to be weakening nationally,” said Baker.

Specific construction segments (index score computed as % of respondents reporting improving minus those reporting weakening conditions)

• Additions / alterations: -14
• Kitchen and bath remodeling: -16
• Custom / luxury home market: -52
• First-time buyer / affordable home market: -65
• Townhouse / condo market: -66
• Move-up home market: -71
• Second / vacation home market: -77

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About the AIA Home Design Trends Survey
The AIA Home Design Trend Survey is conducted quarterly with a panel of 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 overall home layout and use (May 2009) specialty rooms and systems (September 2009) and community design trends (December 2009).

About The American Institute of Architects
For over 150 years, members of the American Institute of Architects have worked with each other and their communities to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings and cityscapes. By using sustainable design practices, materials, and techniques, AIA architects are uniquely poised to provide the leadership and guidance needed to provide solutions to address climate change. AIA architects walk the walk on sustainable design. Visit www.aia.org/walkthewalk.

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