OBSERVATIONS
2015 NAHB International Builders’ Show Design & Construction Week
ARTICLE BY
Timothy Wanaselja, RA, NCARB
OBSERVATIONS: 2015 NAHB International Builders’ Show
Meyer Project Manager, Timothy Wanaselja, RA, NCARB, recently attended the 2015 NAHB International Builders’ Show Design & Construction Week. The event, held in Las Vegas, Nevada, was based on the theme All Homes Start Here and attracted over 55,000 attendees and 3,700 exhibitors.
TREND
Overall, industry forecasts are all optimistic for growth in 2015 and beyond. A few of the highlights from the event are as follows: technology integration into homes, demand for open plan layouts continues, improved solutions for building envelope systems, and 50+ Lifestyle Housing development is a growing market sector.
TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION INTO HOMES AND LIVING SPACES
Increased mobile device ownership and usage is a defining attribute of the younger generations. Millennials are the largest group of smartphone owners in the world. Mobile device owners have an emotional connection to their devices and separation is difficult. Mobile devices provide the opportunity for everything to be a shared experience. Consumers are looking for their living spaces to match the level of connectivity in their lives. They are willing to part with square footage if there is a perceived functional and/ or energy efficient benefit. Smart wireless thermostats which are controlled through mobile devices provide consumers with the ability to affect their comfort of their living space. Additionally, lighting controls, appliance controls/monitoring, electrical outlets with USB plug connections, and security key access to buildings through mobile devices are value adds.
84%
OF MILLENIALS IN THE USA, AGED
14–29 OWN SMARTPHONES.
CONSUMERS ARE LOOKING FOR THEIR LIVING SPACES TO MATCH THE LEVEL OF CONNECTIVITY IN THEIR LIVES.
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2015 NAHB International Builders’ Show
MASTER SESSIONS OBSERVATIONS
CREATING THE BEST PLANS
The most successful plans are able to find balance between three conflicting categories. These are essential factors that determine the market success of a residence and can be reduced to three broad categories:
FUNCTIONALITY
AESTHETICS
PERCEIVED VALUE
SQUARE FOOTAGE Design unit plans that feel bigger than they are by using diagonal view corridors, minimal circulation space, and open public spaces. Know what market rates are for each unit size and where your unit layouts fit within that market. Work to hit the targeted price point with a design that appears bigger than it is. How a plan feels is as important to consumers as the advertised size. ROOM SIZE Design rooms to give you the most impact for the square footage available. Is increasing the bedroom by 8” inches a significant market benefit or should that increase size be in the walk-in closet? The additional square footage added to a walk-in closet will have a greater perceived value (possibly 35% increase in storage and hanging rod space) compared to the bedroom. STORAGE Storage space is a crucial consideration when creating unit plans. It is virtually impossible to include too much closet space for consumer needs. For most Americans, each day is a day when we have more possessions than the day before. On a micro level – provide a superior master bedroom closet/s (this room belongs to the owner), provide great closet designs (truly understand what works and what does not and do not skimp on closet layouts), and provide as good a pantry as you are able to fit (consumers are buying larger quantities of groceries than ever before).
HAFELE-LEMANS HIGH BOARD
CIRCULATION SPACE Minimize to provide more open area for public spaces. Study the market to create an internal set of design guidelines to your designs are perceived as equal or superior to your competitors. SPECIAL SPACES AND MEMORY POINTS In competitive marketplaces it is more important than ever to create plans that consumers remember. Builtins, details, work spaces, and time-saving features that convince consumers that their lifestyle will be better; more interesting, more exciting, more productive, and more fulfilling. FEATURES AND SPACES FOR TODAY’S LIFESTYLE Consumers are looking for less maintenance, lower utility bills, and living spaces that support increasingly technologically-dependent life. Wireless capabilities with high bandwidth infrastructure, key drop spots, charging centers, home management centers and more. FLEXIBILITY The marketplace seems to be changing at a rapid rate with many diverse consumers. This requires plans with rooms that are able to serve multiple functions that are able to provide personalization to each consumer.
ELMWOOD MOTORIZED CO-PLANAR
Together, we deliver your vision.
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EIGHT KEYS TO A SUCCESSFUL PLAN
THE PLAN MUST MATCH THE PROSPECT Functional alignment of product offerings and market rates.
MAKE THE FUNCTIONAL AESTHETICALLY IMPACTFUL AND VICE VERSA Fun fireplace, different door designs, and cool balconies.
COOL BUT COST-EFFECTIVE KITCHENS Large one-level islands with eating bar is more cost-effective and functional than two-level islands. Onelevel islands also create perception of additional open layout. Provide a good to excellent pantry. Provide the minimal acceptable base/drawer cabinets within the kitchen to limit the added cost for the upgraded cabinet above a standard base cabinet.
PLACES TO STUDY & WORK Consumers are working more from home than ever before. Support public spaces with study and work related capabilities.
EXCESSIVE STORAGE Extra-large master bedroom closets with possible access to laundry. Additional storage where ever possible.
SUPER SHOWER In the same footprint, trade a tub for (1) a bigger shower (2) a bigger closet, and (3) a better vanity.
CIRCULATION THAT WORKS Minimize the circulation as much as possible, provide properly sized hallways, and eliminate choke points.
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2015 NAHB International Builders’ Show
THE PERCEPTION OF VALUE Look at spending your money allotment in the right places. A small reduction in a large room could provide a big increase to a small room.
BUILDING ENVELOPE SYSTEMS Air and water barrier systems on the exterior of buildings are becoming more sophisticated and options for quantities of solutions continue to increase. Demand by developers, owners, design professionals, contractors and consumers alike is pushing manufacturers to provide more sophisticated products that are able to meet a large variety of needs. Additionally, building and energy conservation codes continue to require products to perform at higher levels than in previous years. Look for product offerings from manufacturers to continue to evolve.
ZIP SYSTEM STRETCH TAPE
ZIP SYSTEM STRETCH TAPE FEATURES
“Building and energy conservation codes continue to require products to perform at higher levels than in previous years.�
50+ LIFESTYLE HOUSING Older consumers (Boomers) are a fast-growing market sector. Many presentations and seminars discussed strategies for targeting the 50+ housing sector with topics related to what consumers want, how to sell to them, current trends and creating urgency in-house to maximize opportunities.
Together, we deliver your vision.
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