Demand for smaller, simpler homes in walkable neighborhoods expands
The Home Design Trends Survey for the fourth quarter of 2024, focusing on community and neighborhood design trends, is now available.
WASHINGTON – January 28, 2025 – The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Home Design Trends Survey for the fourth quarter of 2024, focusing on community and neighborhood design trends, is now available.
While the pace of demand for contemporary home styles is waning, demand for smaller homes with simpler exterior features is growing:
“Given the increasing problem of housing affordability, building smaller, simpler homes with greater density and accessible to public transit is essential. As a result, the increasing preference for urban infill locations over far-flung exurbs continues to reshape our neighborhoods,” said AIA Chief Economist, Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. “Whether nestled in bustling cities or quieter suburbs, people increasingly seek communities that seamlessly combine convenient public transit access, walkable streets, proximity to employment hubs, vibrant retail options, and generous open spaces—all fostering a well-connected and enriched lifestyle.”
Learn more about the AIA Home Design Trends Survey for the fourth quarter of 2024.
Architecture firms reported a decline in billings in December as the AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index (ABI) fell to 44.1.
