kitchen remodeling projects boosting architects' numbers

Architects nationally have been seeing an increasing customer demand for modern kitchen technology projects in residential homes, according to a new survey just released by the Washington-based American Institute of Architects.

That survey, crunching the numbers for the final quarter of 2017, show that design work for such residential features as integrated kitchen and family spaces, computer recharging stations, and under-counter kitchen appliances have all increased over the same period of time in late 2016.

In a statement, Kermit Baker, the chief economist with the AIA, said, “Demand has remained solid for smart home features in the kitchen, which isn’t a surprise as more new systems and products are being introduced at a dizzying pace.”

What is called the Home Design Trends Survey also showed that customer billings for architectural services have increased the most in the Midwest and Northeast in late 2017, with billings in the Western states following closely behind.

The survey additionally notes that customer inquiries saw an industry-wide increase in late 2017, along with project backlogs, which were at their highest levels since 2011.

The AIA Home Design Trend Survey is done every three months and records consumer trends observed by more than five hundred architectural firms nationally.

By Garry Boulard