Friday, July 29, 2011

NAHB Predicts New Homes in 2015

We may not know how many new homes will be built in 2015, but we do know what they will look like.  The National Home Builders Association’s Economics and Housing Policy recently asked 3,019 builders, designers, architects, manufacturers and marketing specialists in various locations to describe the  likely characteristics of the average, new single-family detached home in 2015.

The findings have some surprising, and not-so-surprising, results:
  • The average new single-family home will be smaller, between 2000 square feet and 2,399 square feet
  • Needs will outweigh wants in terms of size and features
  • Universal design will be a key architectural design consideration for new homes
  • Energy efficiency is one of the top goals for newly constructed homes, and new homes will have more green features, like low-E windows, engineered wood products, and make efficient use of water
  • Technology will be a top priority in a home built in 2015
  • Landscaping and outdoor living space will receive more attention as homeowners will utilize their outdoor space more
  • 2-car garages remain high on the list


Specific room priorities:
  • The formal living room will either be combined with another room in the house, like the music room or library, or completely disappear
  • Kitchens will feature a double sink, recessed lighting, and table space or a breakfast bar for eating
  • First-floor master bedrooms with walk-in closets will be a priority


Least-likely features of the 2015 home?
  •     Two master bedroom suites
  •     Sunrooms
  •     Hobby rooms
  •     Formal living rooms
 Read the rest of the survey  

Whether you’re building or remodeling a home in 2011, 2015, or anytime in between, Bonin Architects has various architectural services to help you design, build, or remodel a home that fits your priorities.   We’re located on Main Street in New London, NH.  Call or stop by to set up a free consultation!

Friday, July 15, 2011

Community Outreach: We Build it Forward Update

On June 25, 2011, teams of community members and local businesses met at R.P. Johnson & Son's Andover NH location to kick off a day of giving back, We Build It Forward. Ten projects in seven communities in the Andover – Sunapee area were completed in a day, including fundraisers and yard cleanups, fixing park shelters and painting an entire house.

Team Bonin Architects designed and built a community bulletin board at the Andover transfer station - even some of our clients pitched in!!  Other projects included replacing the roof on a mobile home in Sunapee, NH, building a handicap ramp, installing 2 storm doors and doing a yard cleanup in Sutton Mills, cleaning up Wadleigh State Park in North Sutton, remodeling a bathroom, painting and repairing a picket fence at East Andover Preschool, replacing a bulkhead basement door in Andover, and building a 60 foot Allan Block retaining wall.






The Kearsarge Chronicle was on hand to interview volunteers and beneficiaries of this terrific program.  Watch their interview and mark your calendar to become a volunteer at next year’s We Build It Forward!










Tuesday, July 5, 2011

NH Architects Interviewed About Cottage Renovation

Country Almanac’s Small Room Decorating, a national magazine designed to help homeowners maximize the living space in their small home or cottage, loved the 400 square foot cottage renovation recently completed by Bonin Architects and Associates in New London, NH.

The cottage renovation project had two primary goals: creating an open, efficient space that looks and feels larger than it really is and reusing as much as the original building material as possible.

 
The result is an efficient use of space, with a new cathedral ceiling and sleeping loft created when the original ceiling was removed.  Apartment-sized appliances maximize space in the kitchen.
  


Creative storage space was addressed with shelves, cubbies, benches, and hooks.