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from 4.7.22
New Home Construction Trends Are Influenced by Pandemic
By June Mathews
Alittle more than two years ago, no one could fully imagine the impact the pandemic would have on people around the world.
Health habits, social interactions, work schedules and other aspects of life changed overnight. Parents became instant homeschool teachers, practical shoppers became hoarders, masks rendered us unrecognizable to neighbors, and restaurant deliveries skyrocketed.
Everything was different, and the influence of it all quietly changed us in ways we didn’t expect.
Take home construction trends for 2022, for example. In-demand options reflect who we’ve become, not who we were pre-pandemic.
Trend No. 1: Home Offices
A seismic shift took place in the working world in 2020 when companies all over the country shut down due to COVID-19, and massive numbers of employees began working at home. But what was first considered a temporary situation may not be so temporary after all. According to a report in Forbes, by 2025, an estimated 70% of the workforce will be working at home at least five days a month. So, it only makes sense that people might want to carve out
See BUILDING TRENDS, page 31
Journal photo by Maury Wald
HOME DESIGN, BUILDING TRENDS TO WATCH IN 2022
The all-white house – inside and out – appears to be going away, according to Patrick Gilbert, left, owner and president of Wedgworth Construction and Patty Leeming, right, the company’s project manager and marketing director. CORNER OFFICE According to a report in Forbes, by 2025, an estimated 70% of the workforce will be working at home at least five days a month. ROOM WITH A VIEW Homeowners are embracing Biophilic design, a concept used within the building industry to increase occupant connectivity to the natural environment through the use of direct nature, indirect nature, and space and place conditions.
The Tramont is being constructed as part of a mixed-use development in the Highland Park area, off Arlington Avenue.
Condos Return to the Real Estate Spotlight
By June Mathews
Good news for homeowners planning to downsize, young people looking to jump into the housing market for the first time, or anyone looking for shared amenities and ease of building maintenance: Condos are back.
Not that condos ever really went anywhere, but the market has definitely experienced its ups and downs in recent years. In 2020, during the first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic, condo sales around the U.S. dropped 46% percent. But only a year later, the market had bounced back. In
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The easiest way to tackle repairs and updates before selling is to do a walk-through inspection as though it’s the first time you’ve ever seen it. Make a list of all the things that need updated and changed as you go. Then prioritize the list.
Realize that many needed repairs might seem small, but they still take time to get done. So you will need to set aside some days to make it work.
“We have found that homeowners sometimes get a little overwhelmed with all that has to be done to put the house in selling condition,” said Rick Batson, one of the partners in TruBlue of Birmingham. TruBlue was started by Rick and Roxanne Batson, above, left and right, with Roxanne’s former partner in a technology company, Mur Feldman, center. “We can take some of the stress off by helping secure materials and do repairs, installations, and clean up. ”
Realtors know that the homes that look the best also fetch the best price. Batson, a retired architect, helps homeowners by performing walk-through inspections along with a technician to develop a list of priorities and an estimate.
Mur Feldman, one of the other TruBlue partners, added “Inspectors are trained to look for problem areas in a residence. We can send technicians to fix some of those issues that are bound to come up and do it quickly so you don’t have to wait long to put the home on the market. Both home owners and realtors really appreciate how fast we can get someone there.”
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BUILDING TRENDS
From page 28 a spot in their homes dedicated to their jobs.
“The biggest thing we’ve added to new houses over the past two years is home offices,” said Patrick Gilbert, owner and president of Wedgworth Construction.
The company’s project manager and marketing director, Patty Leeming, agreed.
“The work-at-home thing is real,” she said. “People want a space now. For a while they were taking them (home offices) out. They don’t want a big one, and they don’t want a fancy one. They just want a spot of their own to go into, essentially. And it’s nice to have your work in a place where you can walk away from it instead of having it on the kitchen island where you’ve been working on it all day long.”
Trend No. 2: More Color
As they spend more times in their homes, homeowners are saying goodbye to the neutral color schemes they’ve spent so much time looking at over the past two years and opting to put some cheerful hues into their surroundings. Whether this is in response to a reported increase in depression due to the stresses of pandemic life or a simple case of being bored with uninteresting walls, one can never be sure. But the color bug has truly bitten.
“Seeing people put more color in their houses is nice to see and a bit daunting at the same time,” said Leeming.
The all-white house – inside and out – appears to be going away, Gilbert predicted. As homeowners spent day in and day out in their homes, the propensity of all-white surfaces to show dirt became a bit wearing.
“It’s like white cars,” said Gilbert. “They look good when they’re clean, but when they get dirty, you can really see it.”
Along with more color, Leeming said homeowners are seeking natural light with larger and more windows throughtout. Homeowners are embracing Biophilic design, a concept used within the building industry to increase occupant connectivity to the natural environment through the use of direct nature, indirect nature, and space and place conditions.
While homeowners enjoy trends associated with new homes, homebuilders are experiencing trends of a less pleasurable kind. Shortages caused by production delays and a lack of workers have them scrambling for building materials, appliances and fixtures.
This trend, said Gilbert, has caused builders to change the way they do things.
“We now order things when contracts are signed, but we may still be waiting on something to come in when we’re trying to finish up the house nine or 10 months later,” he said. “So, we just kind of restructure how we do things and work around the delays as best we can.”
According to Leeming, delays can drag on far beyond what anyone would expect.
“Every day’s a new day,” she said. “You just don’t know when you’re going to get a phone call that something else isn’t going to come in when it was supposed to. We ordered a dishwasher for a new home in June of last year, and it’s still not here.”
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Trend No. 3: More Walls
During the past decade or two, the open concept achieved by connecting common living spaces has been an ongoing trend, but its popularity may be waning. It’s great until a pandemic comes along. Then maybe the kids get a little too noisy in the den while the adults are talking a few steps away in the kitchen. Or a noisy dishwasher in the kitchen makes TV viewing difficult in the den. Or maybe too much family togetherness has gotten to be, well, too much, and a little separation in the form of a wall is called for.
“We’re seeing more people put walls up,” said Leeming. “The open concept is still there, but people are wanting a bit of separation, particularly between the kitchen and den.”
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From page 28 May 2021, twice as many condos sold nationwide compared to May 2020.
Now with the single-family home market experiencing record-high prices and record-low availability, many prospective homebuyers are taking a closer look at condos.
That does not mean they want to forgo creature comforts.
Plugging into the idea that buyers are looking for a sense of luxury and serenity in their homes are the builders of The Tramont. The condo building is being constructed as part of a mixed-use development in the Highland Park area, off Arlington Avenue.
Evan Watts is a partner and cofounder of D&A Companies, a New York-based real estate development and design company that is partnering locally with Ingram & Associates and FiveStone Group on The Tramont project.
“The concept of The Tramont originated from the D&A partners’ desire to create a boutique collection of residences in Birmingham, while also paying reverence to the city’s history of enduring architecture,” he said. “Inspired by Birmingham’s architectural gems, like the iconic terminal station, D&A is creating a timeless building that will inspire the community many years from now.”
Overall, two years of pandemic living have moved trends in the luxury condo market from over-the-top flamboyance to understated qualities that promote serenity and calmness.
The Tramont originated from the D&A partners’ desire to create a boutique collection of residences in Birmingham, while also paying reverence to the city’s history of enduring architecture.
Connection to the Outdoors
The Tramont’s views of the city encompass the downtown skyline, revealing a city on the move during the day and of sparkling lights at night.
But the star of the show in terms of views is the Birmingham sunset, particularly since the name of The Tramont is derived from the Italian word “tramonto,” meaning sunset.
“It’s fitting that its name highlights the views, one of the most coveted features of the building,” Watts said.
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Close to Everything, Removed From the Din
Homebuyers are showing a trend toward wanting the conveniences of urban living but not necessarily the fast-paced lifestyle. The Tramont strikes a balance.
“One of the greatest amenities of The Tramont is its location, nestled between Birmingham’s suburbs and its downtown urban core,” said Watts. “Within walking distance of English Village in one direction and the historic Five Points (South) district in another, it’s also in close proximity to some of Birmingham’s best restaurants, beautiful open space and parks, and to the rest of the Magic City.”
Demand for More Space
According to the National Association of Home Builders, the average square footage for new single-family homes has increased by 6.2%, to 2,541 square feet since Great Recession lows.
Families are demanding more room to spread out, particularly as they spend more time at home.
The Tramont will offer two-story “maisonettes” of up to four bedrooms with access on both floors, as well as its one-, two- and three-bedroom condos with corner views.
Nationwide, the forecast for the condo market in 2022 calls for tight inventory and high demand as more people migrate toward cities.
While such a climate can mean increasing prices for buyers, it can also mean greater profits for individuals already in the condo market.
So, weigh the options, determine what’s right for you and your family in terms of maintenance and amenities, then go in that direction. If ease of living is at the top your list, there just may be a condo in your future.
Décor Frenzy Decorators’ ShowHouse Takes Over Hallmark Farm
Decorators’ ShowHouse is back April 23-May 8 at Hallmark Farms after taking a hiatus last two years because of the pandemic.
Designers picked rooms at the estate to redecorate in their own styles, resulting in an assortment of decor and art throughout the home. The ShowHouse is sponsored by the Symphony Volunteer Council and raises money for the Alabama Symphony.
This year, Decorators’ ShowHouse welcomes many designers, some of whom have participated before. These designers include Libby McCurry, Allyson Kirkpatrick, Nancy Gowens, Lynne Coker, Mandy Majerik, Ann Marie James and Cathy Hannah.
During the event, visitors will be able to see the 565-acre property and purchase snacks from food trucks that will be on-site daily.
Tickets are $25 if purchased in advance and $30 at the door. For more information, visit alabamasymphony.org.
During the event, visitors will be able to see the 565-acre property. Parking will be provided at the property. Fee to park is $5.00. —Ally Morrison
Journal photos by Ally Morrison
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