Community design trends are moving toward greater accessibility to public facilities, such as transportation and commercial activities, so reports the American Institute of Architects (AIA). In its recently released Home Design Trends Survey, the AIA found that neighborhood design trends favor more mixed-use activities with infill and other higher-density development, and with dedicated areas for recreation and open space. In addition, traditional design of neighborhoods and homes with upscale exteriors, and windows and porches to encourage more street-level interaction, also are gaining in popularity.

"Access to public transportation, and alternative transportation systems, such as bikeways and walkways, as well as access to commercial facilities, were both reported as increasing in popularity as community design elements by a large share of residential architects," said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA in the executive summary of the study. "Higher gasoline prices have made travel for routine activities more expensive, so preferences for greater accessibility may be partially in response to resistance to long drives. More services integrated into development, such as health care and convenience stores, are increasing in popularity, although by a smaller margin than a year ago."

The AIA study also found that almost 70 percent of residential architects report an increase in mixed-use facilities, often combining residential with retail, office, or service uses. Other trends also included infill and higher-density development.

"While density is increasing, there is a corresponding growing popularity for recreational opportunities, such as walking trails or exercise centers, as well as dedicated open space to help offset some of the density in development," the AIA study reported. "Traditional neighborhood design -- with homes closer to the street, front porches for more neighborhood interaction, and smaller lots -- also is increasing in popularity. With greater preferences for interaction, mixed uses, and accessibility, it's not surprising that gated entrances are declining in popularity."

The report also showed that upscale exterior materials such as fiber-cement, stone, and tile are increasing in popularity. Exterior accent lighting, the number and size of windows, front and side porches, and upscale entry doors were all reported to be increasing in popularity by about half of residential architects.

In a related survey of 923 real estate agents, managing brokers and association executives who responded to a survey in Agent-to-Agent ezine, published by Mark Nash, upscale garages, 'caves,' two-home offices, heated patios, walkways and driveways and modular housing are some of the hottest trends for builders to consider in 2007.

"It's no longer the out-of-sight-out-of-mind dumping ground. Today's garage owners want them decked out with cabinet and storage systems, mini-refrigerators, insulation, heating and air conditioning and durable but residential-looking flooring," Nash said. "Personal dedicated space for one person in a household to go and work on projects or 'chill' without being disturbed is coming out of the closet."

Nash, a real estate broker, syndicated columnist and author of five books, his latest being Real Estate A-Z for Buying & Selling a Home, added that rising gas prices and commuting times have created more two-work-at-home families. He noted that homeowners who are looking for ways to decrease winter maintenance have discovered the advantages of heated areas around the home. To address affordable housing in the future, Nash suggests that the low-cost, factory-built construction and quick conception to foundation times of modular housing may be the affordable wave of the future.

On the flip side, Nash identified bamboo floors (eco-friendly but prone to warping), hardwood laminate floors (don't stand up to multiple sandings) and home sellers who smoke (buyers hate second-hand and stale smoke odors) as unfashionable.