Challenges Spur Creativity in Outdoor Living Design
How Homeowners are Changing Design.
In recent years, outdoor living has become a top priority for homeowners and, subsequently, a precedence for architects and design professionals focused on residential design. According to over 300 residential architects, designers, and builders based in the US and surveyed by the New Home Trends Institute, 58% felt connecting to the outdoors would significantly influence their design choices. 45% of those surveyed agreed outdoor entertaining will also become more prominent. Homebuyers today want more options and flexibility in utilizing outdoor spaces, just like their interiors.
Work-from-home and remote offices are increasing demand for renovations and new home construction. As a result, professional designers are addressing higher-density projects for multifunctional outdoor areas such as covered rooms (73%), patios (68%), and decks (55%) over a decrease in open yards, which ranked at only 28%. A common debate among homeowners currently centers around reducing the structure's footprint to gain more outdoor living zones and privacy. Increasingly, roof decks are becoming a viable solution.
Designers and builders are incorporating biophilic design to meet the high demand for innovative outdoor solutions. Built-in features, integral package delivery solutions, and water features are on the rise. A complex home plan and its grounds are expected to offer multiple features that will benefit the home in the long run.
Since home design is shifting to accommodate homeowners' new rhythms of life, ensuring people feel connected holistically contributes to their physical and mental well-being. The amount of natural light in a home is proving to maintain people’s good health. Creating clear sightlines to the outdoors in the rear of the house is essential. Covered outdoor rooms help divide and allocate space efficiently while meeting the need and desire for added privacy. In essence, these areas are an extension of interior space as an indoor-outdoor hybrid, often showcasing the home's comforts and mimicking its finishes.
The bottom line is outdoor living is evolving from traditional backyards, with a pool, outdoor kitchen, fire pit, and play area, as more outlying issues arise. Connecting to and participating in the outdoors remains a top design essential for designers and consumers alike. As homeowners reprioritize their spaces, builders and architects must change how they design custom homes. Landscape architects must create complex plans sporting multiple features to benefit the new homeowner adequately.
The Modern Living: Indoor Outdoor Spaces Symposium aims to equip landscape architects, architects, and custom builders with relevant data and innovative tools to approach their upcoming residential projects.
Industry experts from around the country will present lectures and hands-on learning labs tackling everything from climate change and erosion to biophilic design and AI design. AIA and ASLA continuing education credits will be available where specified.
Hosted at a unique coastal destination with views of Buzzards Bay, AutoCamp Cape Cod is one of New England's best and newest destinations with custom Airstreams and suites outfitted with modern conveniences.
The Modern Living: Indoor Outdoor Spaces Symposium, presented by Paragon Landscape Construction, will take place September 19-20, 2023, for residential architects, custom builders, and landscape architects. Register here today.