Cohousing-L Mailing List: urban infill cohousing

[Grace Kim (grace]

Saw this industry report online - perhaps an indicator for the next wave
of cohousing projects - urban infill, transit oriented developments
(TOD).  Could be pretty exciting!

 

Housing downturn results in demand for more infill and high-density
development

-- Building Design & Construction, 12/14/2009 10:52:00 AM


(also published on same date at Residential Design Build under headline:
Consumers want homes close to jobs, transportation)


 

Washington, D.C. - December 14, 2009 - Consumer preferences for
community design that once preferred suburban and rural areans removed
from metropolitan hubs is moving increasingly toward infill sites that
have greater access to public transportation options. Mixed-use
developments focused around density are being favored in some cases over
traditional neighborhood design with homes close to the street,
sidewalks and smaller lots. 

These types of developments are still gaining in popularity, but at a
slower rate than recent years most likely as the result of the overall
economic challenges. Home exteriors with durability and low maintenance
are also proving to be more popular in recent years.   

Billings at residential architecture firms remain weak, but remodeling
activity showing an improvement. These findings are from the American
Institute of Architects (AIA) Home Design Trends Survey for the third
quarter of 2009 that focused on community and neighborhood design. 

"There is an extremely high level of inventories of unsold homes due to
the prolonged downturn in the housing market," said AIA Chief Economist,
Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. "That element and the fact that home energy
and transportation costs have risen in recent years has people
rethinking living options. Demand for homes in urban centers with
greater access to transportation, retail, commercial and employers has a
tremendous appeal." 

Design strategy tailored towards access to public transportation and job
centers helps reduce sprawl, dependence on automobiles, encourages
sustainability and creates an overall more vibrant and healthy
community. 

AIA Home Design Trends Survey highlights 

Popular Home Exteriors Features                      

2009                 

2008 

Durable exterior materials

75%                            

73%

Sustainable roofing    

47%                            

62%

Porches                      

53%                

46%

Windows (number and size)

26%                

33%

Tubular skylights        

24%                

n/a

Green roofs                

21%                            

n/a

 (% respond. report. popularity of feature "increasing" minus % report.
"decreasing"; Q3) 


 


 

 

grace h kim aia, architect & cofounder

schemata workshop | empowering communities through architecture

1720 12th ave #3  seattle wa 98122  v 206 285 1589

www.schemataworkshop.com <http://www.schemataworkshop.com/> 

 

Recipient of 2009 Mayor's Small Business Award