Are We Seeing the End of the McMansion Era?
Category: Home and Garden
The current recession has had no end of side effects. Now a study from the American Institute of Architects finds another one – the era when giant McMansions dominated the face of North America appears to have come to an end.
The Home Design Trends Survey polled architects to find out what their clients are interested in building. It determined that buyers are interested in smaller, more energy-efficient homes than in years past. Large entry foyers with high ceilings appear to be out. What is in are enhancements to existing homes that increase living space from the existing footprint without impacting energy consumption. Indoor/Outdoor areas such as patios and outdoor kitchens, finished basements and attics, and other types of improvements are popular.
“The era of the ‘McMansion’ could well be over as home sizes have been trending downward recently, with a significantly higher number of architects reporting demand for smaller homes this year,” said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. “And as the housing boom has passed there seems to be a renewed interest in investing in properties to make homes more livable, as opposed to real estate that can be resold quickly for a profit.”
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