8 Influential Home Design Trends for 2012
The National Association of Home Builders sees the year ahead through the eyes of its annual design award winners
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) annually conducts its Best in American Living Awards (BALA). These awards, open to builders and design professionals, acknowledge that good design "is not and should not be limited to high-priced and custom homes."
The NAHB uses these design awards to look for upcoming trends for new home design. This year the jurors identified eight design trends that will have an influence on new home designs in 2012 and into the future.
When speaking about these trends at the International Builders Show, held in February in Orlando, Florida, BALA jurors Heather McCune, Mark Kiner and Victor Mirontshuk all noted that new home design is significantly better now than just a few years ago. Unlike in the recent boom years, when just about anything built was sold, strong competition in the current market is forcing all builders to improve home design.
A better home with an eye to the future. Now that's what I call better living.
The NAHB uses these design awards to look for upcoming trends for new home design. This year the jurors identified eight design trends that will have an influence on new home designs in 2012 and into the future.
When speaking about these trends at the International Builders Show, held in February in Orlando, Florida, BALA jurors Heather McCune, Mark Kiner and Victor Mirontshuk all noted that new home design is significantly better now than just a few years ago. Unlike in the recent boom years, when just about anything built was sold, strong competition in the current market is forcing all builders to improve home design.
A better home with an eye to the future. Now that's what I call better living.
Design trend no. 2: outdoor spaces as an extension of living space. Whether for a single-family house or a multifamily building, home buyers are looking for private outdoor spaces that blend seamlessly with the indoors. This trend cuts across geographic regions, being as true in the colder sections of the country as in the warmer, milder areas.
This project: Platinum Award, Detached Home up to 2,000 square feet
Siena at Laguna Altura, Irvine, California
Project Team:
• Architect/Designer: Bassenian | Lagoni, Newport Beach, California
• Builder: Irvine Pacific, Irvine, California
• Interior Designer: Austin Johnson Interiors, Irvine, California
• Developer: Irvine Company, Irvine, California
• Land Planner: Irvine Company, Irvine, California
Photo by Eric Figge
This project: Platinum Award, Detached Home up to 2,000 square feet
Siena at Laguna Altura, Irvine, California
Project Team:
• Architect/Designer: Bassenian | Lagoni, Newport Beach, California
• Builder: Irvine Pacific, Irvine, California
• Interior Designer: Austin Johnson Interiors, Irvine, California
• Developer: Irvine Company, Irvine, California
• Land Planner: Irvine Company, Irvine, California
Photo by Eric Figge
Design trend no. 3: good, cost-effective designs. To keep construction costs low, we'll see multiple roof lines and complexity give way to simplified forms. Gone is the "exploding roof" design paradigm for the straightforward gable roof and rectangular form. Innovative and creative approaches to layouts, storage, curb appeal and so on will be established in the early design stage to ensure that the new designs don't become boring.
This project: Gold Award, Single-Family Detached Home, 2,001–3,000 square feet
Hampton Lane Plan 2, San Diego
Project Team:
• Architect/Designer: Bassenian/Lagoni Architects, Newport Beach, California
• Builder/Developer: Pardee Homes, Los Angeles
• Land Planner: Project Design Consultants, San Diego
• Interior Merchandiser: Citrine Interior Design, Whittier, California
Photo by Robb Miller Photography
This project: Gold Award, Single-Family Detached Home, 2,001–3,000 square feet
Hampton Lane Plan 2, San Diego
Project Team:
• Architect/Designer: Bassenian/Lagoni Architects, Newport Beach, California
• Builder/Developer: Pardee Homes, Los Angeles
• Land Planner: Project Design Consultants, San Diego
• Interior Merchandiser: Citrine Interior Design, Whittier, California
Photo by Robb Miller Photography
Design trend no. 4: the family triangle. It used to be that open floor plans were limited to certain geographic regions and buyer profiles. Now the open floor plan is desired throughout the country and by every market segment. The old living room has been replaced by a flexible space that can be used as needed while still being close to the family triangle. The jurors noted that these new open plans rely on light and detail to give a feeling of spaciousness rather than simply being large.
This project: Platinum Award, Interior Design, Kitchen
Brownstones of Brambleton, Ashburn, Virginia
Project Team:
• Architect/Designer: Lessard Design, Inc., Reston, Virginia
• Builder: Miller and Smith, Mclean, Virginia
• Interior Designer: Carlyn and Company, Great Falls, Virginia
• Developer: Brambleton Group, LLC, Brambleton, Virginia
• Land Planner: Parker Rodriguez, Alexandria, Virginia
Photo by Jim Kirby Photography
This project: Platinum Award, Interior Design, Kitchen
Brownstones of Brambleton, Ashburn, Virginia
Project Team:
• Architect/Designer: Lessard Design, Inc., Reston, Virginia
• Builder: Miller and Smith, Mclean, Virginia
• Interior Designer: Carlyn and Company, Great Falls, Virginia
• Developer: Brambleton Group, LLC, Brambleton, Virginia
• Land Planner: Parker Rodriguez, Alexandria, Virginia
Photo by Jim Kirby Photography
Design trend no. 5: multigenerational living. Whether it's because more are children returning home after college or more parents are moving in with the family, multigenerational homes are increasing in popularity. In fact, one study indicated that the construction of such homes has jumped 30 percent in the past few years.
So whether they create "lock-off" units, two master suites (one up and one down) or some other type of space, builders are recognizing the increased need for these types of homes and planning for them in their designs. Amenities such as wider hallways, elevators, grab bars and so on are all becoming the norm.
This project: Silver Award, Green-Built Home
KB Home GreenHouse, Orlando, Florida
Project Team:
• Architect/Designer: KB Home Architecture, Los Angeles
• Builder/Developer: KB Home, Orlando, Florida
• Interior Designer: KB Home and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Los Angeles and New York
Photo by James F. Watson
So whether they create "lock-off" units, two master suites (one up and one down) or some other type of space, builders are recognizing the increased need for these types of homes and planning for them in their designs. Amenities such as wider hallways, elevators, grab bars and so on are all becoming the norm.
This project: Silver Award, Green-Built Home
KB Home GreenHouse, Orlando, Florida
Project Team:
• Architect/Designer: KB Home Architecture, Los Angeles
• Builder/Developer: KB Home, Orlando, Florida
• Interior Designer: KB Home and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Los Angeles and New York
Photo by James F. Watson
Design trend no. 6: kitchen entertaining with a view. Kitchens continue to be without a doubt the center of the house. But with square footage being trimmed, designers are having to develop innovative solutions for storage and functional needs. There's also an increasing use of large windows to keep the kitchen light, bright and airy so it can live large. The loss of wall space for cabinetry is made up with walk-in pantries (dubbed the "Costco Closet"), where it's not uncommon to find the (messy) kitchen desk hidden from view.
This project: Silver Award, One-of-a-Kind Home over 6,501 square feet
Private residence, Bluffton, South Carolina
Project Team:
• Architect/Designer: Hansen Architects P.C., Savannah, Georgia
• Builder: JT Turner Construction, Savannah, Georgia
• Interior Designer: Hansen Architects P.C., Savannah, Georgia
• Developer: Crescent Resources, Bluffton, South Carolina
Photo by Elaine Fultz
This project: Silver Award, One-of-a-Kind Home over 6,501 square feet
Private residence, Bluffton, South Carolina
Project Team:
• Architect/Designer: Hansen Architects P.C., Savannah, Georgia
• Builder: JT Turner Construction, Savannah, Georgia
• Interior Designer: Hansen Architects P.C., Savannah, Georgia
• Developer: Crescent Resources, Bluffton, South Carolina
Photo by Elaine Fultz
Design trend no. 7: green design elements that consumers understand and want. Buyers expect a certain level of green elements in their homes today. Items that are somewhat familiar, reduce operating costs and are easy to use are the most popular.
This project: Silver Award, Green-Built Home
KB Home GreenHouse, Orlando, Florida
Project Team:
• Architect/Designer: KB Home Architecture, Los Angeles
• Builder/Developer: KB Home, Orlando, Florida
• Interior Designer: KB Home and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Los Angeles and New York
Photo by James F. Watson
This project: Silver Award, Green-Built Home
KB Home GreenHouse, Orlando, Florida
Project Team:
• Architect/Designer: KB Home Architecture, Los Angeles
• Builder/Developer: KB Home, Orlando, Florida
• Interior Designer: KB Home and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Los Angeles and New York
Photo by James F. Watson
Design trend no. 8: less land development, more focus on multifamily. The trend is to smaller developments and infill properties with a proximity to transportation and other amenities. A mix of housing types and buyer profiles is evident so that families across generations can live close to one other. Less emphasis is now placed on the importance of a car, as buyers want to live in walk-to-everything communities.
This project: Best in Region, Pacific Northwest
Legacy at Riverpark Apartments, Redmond, Washington
Project Team:
• Architect/Designer: EDI International, Houston
• Builder: Legacy Partners Residential, Inc., Mercer Island, Washington
• Interior Designer: Robin Chell Design, Seattle
• Developer: Legacy Partners Residential Development, Seattle
• Land Planner: Tiscareno Associates (Master Plan Architect), Seattle
Photo by Vicaso
More: The Case for Cautious Optimism
This project: Best in Region, Pacific Northwest
Legacy at Riverpark Apartments, Redmond, Washington
Project Team:
• Architect/Designer: EDI International, Houston
• Builder: Legacy Partners Residential, Inc., Mercer Island, Washington
• Interior Designer: Robin Chell Design, Seattle
• Developer: Legacy Partners Residential Development, Seattle
• Land Planner: Tiscareno Associates (Master Plan Architect), Seattle
Photo by Vicaso
More: The Case for Cautious Optimism
This project: Gold Award, One-of-a-Kind Home, 4,001–6,500 square feet
Private residence, Chicago
Project Team:
• Architect/Designer: Kenneth Brinkman, Chicago
• Builder/Developer: Environs Development, Inc., Chicago
• Interior Designer: Amy May, Environs Development, Chicago
Photo by Herbie Rooprai