Improving industry climate buoys optimism among architects

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Local architects are optimistic about the residential architectural market this year, particularly in the areas of home renovations and green design.

They are offering different ways to provide on-the-job support and stressing the importance of hiring an architect experienced in home design. Many continue to expand their geographic reach, finding work outside the area, in response to the recent industrywide slowdown.

Patrick Morabito, owner of Pittsford-based Patrick J. Morabito, AIA, Architect P.C., says that after a tough few years, things seem to be picking up in residential architecture.

“There is more activity going on,” says Morabito, who notes that the majority of his business is in the residential sector. “There’s a lot of optimism.”

Morabito is licensed in several states and has done jobs as far away as Nevada. His local work generally is in Monroe County, east of the Genesee River.

One reason he believes things are improving is that interest in his mail-order designs has increased around the country. Morabito sells select house plans and makes them available through books and websites.

While he has been selling mail-order plans for nearly 20 years, he notes that business was nearly non-existent over the last few years because of the sluggish economy.

In addition to the mail-order business revival, there is an increase in activity related to small multifamily projects and single home renovations as homeowners opt to age in place.

Morabito also recently completed an addition and exterior work on an older house purchased by a couple in Mendon. The draw for them was the land more than the house, he observes.

Often people want to live in a certain location, he says, whether it is on a golf course, near water, in the country or in a more urban setting.

For example, Morabito is currently helping a client find a home in the Oak Hill Country Club area, where the prospective owner wants to live because of its proximity to work, school and the club.

“Location, location, location has always been the primary driving force,” he says.

Morabito stresses the importance of finding an architect experienced in residential work.

“It’s every bit as complex to build or renovate a house as it is for a larger edifice,” he says.

While there is less work than in the past, it is picking up to the point where he feels optimistic about the rest of 2014.

“We are getting a lot of inquiries, and when the phone rings, that’s good,” Morabito says. “I’m very happy with the workload.”

Residential architects strive to be busy year-round, and if a slowdown occurs at year-end, it may not be a good sign.

“If you aren’t doing much then, you better find a hobby,” Morabito says.

Another positive sign locally is the return of Home-A-Rama this summer after a three-year absence. The event will feature six new homes in a Penfield neighborhood.

Home-A-Rama is a display of fully furnished and fully landscaped custom homes that demonstrate the latest in construction, design, furnishings and technological innovations.

Having the show return is a good sign for everyone involved in the industry, from architects to homebuilders, Morabito says.

The local trends in residential architecture mirror the national picture. In December, the American Institute of Architects, which is based in Washington, D.C., noted that residential architecture firms across the country are reporting steadily improving business conditions, with remodeling activity leading the way, followed by improvement in every building sector with the exception of second homes and vacation housing.

The findings are from the American Institute of Architects Home Design Trends Survey for the third quarter of 2013, which focused on community and neighborhood design.

AIA also sees an increase in the popularity of low-maintenance exterior materials, more and larger windows, sustainable roofing and contemporary designs.

It reported a pronounced shift in housing and neighborhood preferences over the last decade, with strong and growing demand for in-fill development, mixed-use projects, access to public transportation and high-density development.

There is also an emerging desire for communities that promote a healthy lifestyle through more pedestrian-friendly design and increased access to recreational activities, the organization found.

“With a revival in interest in urban living, there has been a marked transition in what people are looking for in their communities,” AIA chief economist Kermit Baker said in a statement. “Providing easy access to retail, entertainment, transportation, employment and other elements associated with urban living environments will be a key factor as to whether communities can maintain their relevance and appeal.”

Peter Morse, president of Rochester-based Peter L. Morse & Associates, has noticed a movement toward renovations and additions to high-end homes in the area.

Over the last couple of years, his firm has worked on three such projects, in Gates, Irondequoit and Brighton. The jobs range in price from $60,000 to $500,000 on renovations that include upgrades to bathrooms, kitchens and exteriors.

Morse says the economy, which can make it more difficult to get financing for new homes, plays a role in some cases. He also finds that people are placing more emphasis on location.

“They are more buying the neighborhood,” Morse says. “It’s an interesting phenomenon.”

Such homeowners are not as interested about resale value; they care more about quality-of-life factors.

“People aren’t as afraid to overspend when it’s a place they want to stay,” he says.

Allen Rossignol, owner of Rochester-based Edge Architecture PLLC, agrees there has been a recent increase in requests for additions and interior renovations. There is also an increased interest in sustainable architecture, with features such as energy-efficient windows and lighting.

“We are definitely seeing more inquiries for work,” Rossignol says.

Like Morabito and Morse, Rossignol has seen an uptick in home renovations. Popular websites and television channels, such as HGTV, which focus on do-it-yourself home improvement projects, make renovation more attractive and popular, particularly in struggling economies.

While those do-it-yourself projects could create issues for residential architects, Rossignol says it is another way to provide a service.

He notes that architectural firms like his can help people with such projects by providing expert advice and suggestions, even in a two-hour meeting. They can also work as a conduit between a homeowner and builder.

“Architects can really help define and shape an owner’s vision,” Rossignol says.

2/28/14 (c) 2014 Rochester Business Journal. To obtain permission to reprint this article, call 585-546-8303 or email [email protected].