Washington, D.C. -- Results from an American Institute of Architects (AIA) survey is revealing a new trend taking shape among homeowners who are seeking to add rental units and finished basements to their properties.

“Data from the first quarter shows that homeowners are increasingly looking to architects to design additional living quarters for their homes,” said Kermit Baker, PhD. “It could be due to kids returning home to live with their parents to save money or homeowners taking advantage of a growing rental market due to the lack of affordable housing in major markets throughout the country.”

The latest AIA Home Design Trends survey results shows major interest among architecture firm clients in home additions that can function as separate living quarters. Sixty-three percent of firms reported clients interested in adding rental units and accessory dwellings, which is up from 51% reporting such an interest in 2017’s first quarter. Almost 40% of firms reported a jump in interest in finished basements or attics, which is up from 32% the same time last year. Thirty-four percent of firms indicated an interest by clients in building micro-housing units on their properties, compared with 31% in the first quarter of 2017.

Meanwhile, housing affordability continues to be a focus of client inquiries to architecture firms. According to the survey, 13.5% of firms reported inquiries from clients for this type of housing. This represents a jump of 36% from the number of firms reporting such inquiries last year. The number of firms reporting interest by clients in townhome and condominium design was almost 19% in the first quarter, up more than 25% from the interest expressed in the first quarter of 2017.

For more information, visit http://info.aia.org.