To understand Gen X’ers and what they want, it's good to remember that they would have been called first-time or entry-level buyers in the old days. Chances are we live, work and play with Gen X’ers all the time; some may even be in the housing industry.
Character Matters
Both groups appreciate the benefits of community and social interaction. They understand how a neighborhood can enhance their quality of life, so the character of their streets is as important as the style of their homes.
Avoid streets that are simply “lotted out” to maximize density, or you'll miss an opportunity to create value through sensitive design. You don't have to build in a traditional neighborhood development, but you do need to establish a relationship between one house and its neighbor.
Don't make the mistake of designing your homes to stand alone with a passive indifference to the home next door. Varying building masses can create a visually delightful street music of soft and loud notes, long and short. Include this in your design planning before you draw up your plans.
Less is More
In developing floor plans for either of these markets, scale matters, too. Many Gen X’ers are emerging from the show houses of the late '80s where ceiling heights ignored human scale and poorly proportioned elevations lost architectural character. They are now consistently asking for less — homes in which the quality of space is more important than the quantity.
Active adults share an appreciation of well-crafted space and a sense of order. Coffered ceilings and trim details are tangible, valuable additions to the home. High-quality windows and rich patterning have replaced the overabundance of glazing found in many homes a decade ago.
Forget bathtubs surrounded by floor-to-ceiling glass. Privacy is in style. Create intimate alcoves for the tub and locate light sources in less conspicuous places. These are active buyers; concentrate your design focus on plan flexibility and function.
Spaces that Work
In the kitchen, home office and flex areas, provide working spaces that show and function well. Contributing to a crafted home appearance while providing functional storage, built-ins are more popular than ever.
When planning elevations, consider that both X’ers and active adults expect the proportions and scale of their homes to be architecturally consistent. Details alone will not create a craftsman or prairie style; massing is integral to the successful interpretation of architectural character.
In retrospect, it appears that these two groups share more common ground than most people think. Keep looking and you may find more.
Rick New is director of residential architecture for Downing, Thorpe & James (DTJ) in Boulder, CO. The award-winning firm specializes in community design, providing architecture, planning, landscape architecture and environmental graphic design for projects nationally.
For more information on NAHB’s Design Committee, e-mail Michelle Persinger Matuga or call her at at 800-368-5242 x8343.
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