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8 | Kitchen & Bath Design News | May 2015 WASHINGTON, DC — Kitchens and bathrooms remain the two key areas of today's home, with homeowners continu- ing to focus attention on ensuring that both spaces refect current and changing lifestyle needs. That's the major fnding of the latest in a series of "Home Design Trends" surveys conducted in the fourth quarter of 2014 by the American Institute of Architects. The quarterly surveys are conducted among a panel of some 500 architecture frms focused on the residential sector. According to the Washington, DC- based AIA, the survey found that, as the housing upturn continues to unfold, kitchen and bath features "often are a priority in the design of new homes and the redesign of existing homes." Kitchens in particular are seeing added features, as households utilize the space as the center of operations within their homes, the AIA observed. At the same time, sustainability objectives – such as energy efciency, water con- servation and healthy home concerns – are being seen in consumer product choices for kitchens and baths, while accessibility considerations are often refected in the planning for these areas of the home. According to the AIA, almost a third of the surveyed residential architects reported that the number and size of kitchen/food prep/food storage areas were increasing, up modestly from an AIA survey a year ago. There was a compa- rable increase in the size of kitchen areas. The increasing size of kitchens in part refects the expansion of key kitchen features, according to the AIA, which re- ported that residential architects see a growing emphasis on pantry space for storage, and even butler's pantries for meal staging. A growing share of archi- tects also report an increasing popularity in double islands, while others note the resurgence of wine refrigeration and wine storage facilities (see graphic above) . However, much of the recent empha- sis on kitchen areas has little to do with cooking activities, the AIA noted. "The major point of emphasis in kitch- en design nowadays revolves less around actual cooking activities," said AIA chief economist Kermit Baker, pointing to a fnding of signifcant growth in the share of respondents indicating an increase in the popularity of kitchens as the "hearth" of the home – for family gathering, enter- taining and daily activities – as well a site for a computer work station and recharg- ing area for portable electronic devices. "The kitchen has become what we call the 'activator,' the main space in the residence, and the design requirements often include high functionality to accom- modate multiple activities," added James Walbridge, chair of the AIA's Custom Residential Architects Network. "The aesthetics of the kitchen have also changed as the composition and material selections have elevated the space to be- come an essential focal point of the total design," Walbridge said. Another trend is for residential architects to specify health- ier construction components, as well as kitchen designs intended to promote ac- cessibility and adaptability, he added. "With households changing homes less frequently in recent years, homeown- ers may see themselves staying in their current home longer, and therefore are more concerned that their home will meet their evolving needs," Walbridge said. Some kitchen products that are grow- ing in popularity – such as under-counter and upper-end appliances – refect the general "upscaling" of kitchens due to the strengthening housing market. LED lighting is seen by residential architects as dramatically increasing in popularity. Induction cooking appli- ances also rated high in popularity, as did drinking-water fltration systems and sensor faucets. Fully a quarter of residential archi- tects also reported that the number and size of bathrooms is increasing for proj- ects in their area. While bathrooms have become some- what more upscale with the housing rebound, the most distinguishing feature in bath design at present is accessibil- ity, according to residential architects. General adaptability/Universal Design considerations was the feature residential architects indicated was increasing the most in popularity. Larger walk-in show- ers, which generally promote accessibility, also were seen increasing in popularity. "In addition to accessibility, popu- lar bathroom products underscore the growing trend toward energy efciency, water conservation and healthy home considerations," the AIA said, pointing to energy-efcient LED lighting, high- efciency toilets and sensor faucets as increasing in popularity for the bath. Kitchens, Baths Seen Remaining Priorities as Housing Upturn Continues Consumer Buying Trends { Demographics & buying patterns for the home } KITCHENS 2013 2014 LED Lighting 87% 88% Computer Area/Recharging Stations 37% 50% Larger Pantry Space 42% 43% High-End Appliances 35% 35% Double Islands 29% 34% Adaptability/Universal Design 32% 32% Drinking Water Filtration Systems 25% 31% BATHROOMS 2013 2014 LED Lighting 80% 81% Door-less Showers 58% 66% Adaptability/Universal Design 60% 63% Large Walk-in Showers 62% 61% Stall Shower Without Tub 61% 56% Water-Saving Toilets 44% 43% Radiant-Heated Floors 32% 39% THE GROWING POPULARITY OF KEY KITCHEN & BATHROOM PRODUCTS Note: Index score computed as % of respondents reporting increasing minus those reporting decreasing popularity. 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