AIA Study Says Smart Thermostats and Lighting Control in High Demand

Home technology is becoming so popular that even Marcia Brady from The Brady Bunch would be jealous these days. According to the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Home Design Trends Study, home technology is absolutely on fire in terms of its popularity among architects, and smart thermostats and lighting controls are leading the pack.

The data reveals:

• Energy management is the “most popular home automation and wireless controls” feature that architects are specifying these days. The study shows that 66 percent report the popularity of energy management systems has increased in 2017 compared to 2017.

 

• Home automation is also growing in popularity, with 48 percent saying there is increased demand for control systems, up from 43 percent in 2016.

 

• Lighting control had the highest leap of any technology in 2017 with 39 percent of architects saying the technology is growing in popularity, up from just 26 percent last year.

 

• 2017 is the first year the AIA asked about wireless audio systems, and it is a good thing they did. More than half (52 percent) of architects say it is a popular amenity these days.

 

Bye Bye to Equipment Rooms

The AIA study also asked architects to rate which individual products are the most popular home amenities. Smart thermostats was the No. 1 overall most popular technology, ahead of any other amenity… technology or otherwise.

64 percent of architects said smart thermostats are the most popular home amenity in 2017. Other items making the list include synthetic materials, tankless water heaters, and interior motion sensor lights, among others.

Outdoor living is another strong category, with 70 percent of architects citing demand for outdoor living spaces, which often include technology.

Interestingly, the room space that has the biggest decrease in demand is the “home automation management mechanical room.” In 2016, 24 percent of architects reported demand for that space, but only 11 percent in 2017.

The study also shows that the average architect has a 4.8 month backlog right now, which is up from a 2.7-month backlog back in 2010. Finally, remodeling/additions is the hottest construction sector for architects, ahead of kitchen remodels, first-time homes, move-up homes and luxury condos.