Peak of the Week - House Designs

A look back and a peek forward in housing design trends.

In the early 80’s and after that recession, single family house designs changed to smaller square footage compact designs. We built many 900 square foot homes. Included in the change was the introduction of the great room. This is the combination of the several living spaces into one large room rather than formal living and dining areas.

How will housing design change after the “great recession”?

In my opinion, there will be three changes consistent with the changing families, jobs, and standard of living.

1. The size of the single family home will continue to shrink in size and be on a smaller and smaller lot.

2.. The formal dining room will be replaced with a well appointed office space that is telecommute ready. Instead of a dining room space converted to an office. The new design will take the corporate office home to include features: enhance privacy, ease of telecommuting, excellent lighting, an attached half bath, built-ins for office equipment, and ergonomic built-in work station.

3. Multi-generational homes. Perhaps you were thinking that this would include the working parents and their children entering their work careers. I think it is the other generational relationship. The home will be designed for the working parents but also for the baby boomer parents as they reach their 70’s and 80’s before assisted living or in lieu of assisted living. I believe families will have to combine their wealth, capabilities, and care giving to succeed. A dual split master bedroom suite design may be suited for a multi-generational home design.

What design changes do you anticipate in the future?