Aging in Place

Every day, 10,000 people across America retire and will continue to do so at this rate until the peak in the year 2025. This age group possesses the largest amount of discretionary income in history. Baby Boomers will have moved an average of fourteen times in their lifetimes and are usually the most knowledgeable and decisive new home buyers. So what does this group of affluent Americans want in a new home?

• One story living: There may be a second floor or bonus room, but everyday activities are based on the main floor. One story homes are generally easier to maintain as well.
• Manageable square footage: Retirees are downsizing and watching their disposable income. Moderate sized homes are less expensive to purchase, heat and maintain.
• Open floor plans: While these buyers are looking to maintain less, they still want the feeling of a spacious home where they can entertain friends and have family gatherings. This is usually accomplished through an open floor plan, vaults, and minimized hallways and “wasted” space.
• Aging in place: This emerging market is also concerned with being able to stay in their home as they grow older. Wider halls and doors and accessibility in and out of the home are essentials. Large Jacuzzi tubs are giving way to zero threshold walk-in showers and fixtures that meet ADA requirements but do not create a disabled stigma.
• Quality: Baby Boomers tend to want quality rather than quantity. Many have lived in larger homes while raising families and have skimped on the extras. They opt for nicer finishes and are more likely to consider energy efficiency and comfort knowing that they may be living in their last home. Smaller yards and low maintenance are a must.

Not all builders or architects take these issues into consideration when designing a new home. We would be delighted to walk you through the process of designing a new home or remodel that best suits your changing needs.

Energy Efficiency

Energy efficient, sustainable homes aren't adapted on the job site with insulation upgrades or Energy Star appliances. The critical time to consider energy efficiency, comfort, and sustainability begins at the design phase. Budget and site characteristics should determine the initial considerations for the size, style, orientation, and shell type of the home. The square footage and construction methods are closely linked to the overall cost of a home and significantly affect the total efficiency.

There are a variety of ways to make a building efficient without ignoring the architectural style or circulation through the home. Some of these include truss design, the mechanical room location, the HVAC equipment, the location and types of windows, eave and porch locations in relation to the sun direction and prevailing winds, and the shape of the structure to name a few. Not all builders or homeowners are able to stay current with these issues. The design phase is the best place to implement these features.