 AIA HOME DESIGN TRENDS SURVEY—THIRD QUARTER
Slowdown Sees Established Community Design Trends Giving Way to Infill Locations and Homes with Simpler Features
Business activity for residential architects continues to plummet, particularly in Sunbelt regions
AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA, reports that in its third quarter, the AIA Home Design Trends Survey shows the housing downturn reshaping households’ preferences for the design of their neighborhoods and communities. The most recent survey focuses on neighborhood and community design issues. In addition to emerging design trends, this survey documents the continued downward spiral of business conditions at residential design firms across the U.S. The Sunbelt regions of the country, where most of the new residential construction occurs, is reporting particularly weak conditions. All of the major residential construction sectors are declining, while remodeling activity has nearly stalled. 
kiplinger
connection
The Economy • How Does It Compare? • Energy
The Economy: Lower oil and deflation both will have a short duration.
How Does It Compare?: No Great Depression; more the ’70s recession.
Energy: Renewables are about to shine, growing 35 percent in 2009.
MEMBER-TO-MEMBER
Letters to the Editor
This week, one reader offers congratulations to incoming President Marvin Malecha, FAIA, and heartily endorses one of his key ideas. Another reader sings praises for Jim Atkins, FAIA, and his series on Filippo Brunelleschi.
 “Greenstep” Video #11 Highlights Carbon Offsets
Two-minute programs augment the Institute’s Walk the Walk campaign
On November 24, the AIA launched the eleventh of 12 short video episodes for architects to share with clients who want to plan a new building or renovate an existing one using green building principles. “Carbon Offsets” explains to clients how a financial transaction—such as buying wind-power credits—can be used to represent a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. (The first video is on water conservation; the second covers smart controls; the third, radiant heating and cooling; the fourth, vegetation and sun control; the fifth, the whole building approach; the sixth, green tags; the seventh, energy modeling; the eighth, green roofs; the ninth, daylighting; and the tenth, choosing green materials.
 IDP Outstanding Firm Award Call For Entries
Submissions are due January 15
The IDP Outstanding Firm Awards Program honors firm principals who choose to make it a priority to nurture their interns on the path to licensure. The program was expanded in 2008, resulting in the creation of two categories of honorees: the IDP Firm Award, which recognizes firms employing interns who meet 12 essential criteria (listed on the Web site), and the IDP Outstanding Firm Award, which recognizes firms that not only meet the 12 criteria, but demonstrate excellence in at least three of these categories. Find and keep the best talent for your firm by being recognized as a leading firm in aiding interns on their path to licensure. Recipients of the IDP Outstanding Firm Awards program are listed on the AIA’s Web site, recognized at the AIA national convention, provided with a virtual medallion for their Web site, and formally announced via an AIA national press release. Submission is free; for more information and online submission forms, visit the IDP Web site. Questions? Contact Steph Burns: sburns@aia.org or 202-626-7530.
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