2021 Design + Build Forecast: A Q&A With The Experts at Trilogy Partners
-During the winter months, do you focus on different elements throughout the design and build process that you don't necessarily have to worry about during the Summer?
We design and build 12 months of the year. However, our ideal design & build flow for the mountain markets would be more focused on project origination, interior architecture & design, & 3d modeling in the winter (planning & programming) & then getting our hands dirty & focusing on construction starts during the spring and summer months. Starting in the winter is extremely difficult.
Photo Credit: ZDH Design
-Do most of your clients use their homes and primary residences?
I would say half of our clients use their homes as a secondary home for vacations & family gatherings with the possibility of rental income, but the other half are looking to fulfill a lifestyle dream and become a permanent resident. It is likely that many of the homes we build will be second homes and then primary residences after retirement. That being said, we think more people will telecommute in the future, which may mean they live here, with a more modest second home proximate to a workplace that doesn’t demand their full-time presence.
Photo Credit: ZDH Design
-What are the most common requests that clients have for their homes?
#1 request: maximize the home's potential at the clients’ price point; maximize the clients' view/location/value. Find the balance between a dream lifestyle and a good investment.
Saunas, spa baths, home gyms, wine cellars, hot tubs, home theaters, maximize views & site analysis, maximize utility efficiency, geolocation & solar exposure.
They are looking for a different kind of home than they would have in the flatlands. They want something to reflect a more mountain esthetic, blend with nature.
-You work on a lot of projects in the mountains - how does the design differ from projects in the city?
We see lots of requests for design features integrated into mountain homes that might be generally accessible in community settings in the urban hubs: saunas, spa baths, home gyms, wine cellars, hot tubs, home theaters. Mountain homes are gathering places for family and friends. While people may “hole up” in their city apartment they come here to “expand” their lives and exposure to youthfulness, energy, and the outdoors.
In the mountains, the connection with nature and the environment is a key client expectation. Clients expect in general more space between neighbors, views of nature, and in general just less hustle and bustle. The mountain home will be shared with family and friends, so it tends to have more of an open, communal feel both inside and out.
-Have you noticed a shift in the real estate market? What trends do you foresee in 2021?
With the shut-down & social distancing becoming more integrated into our daily vocabulary & routine, we have seen many requests for home designs that are more self-sufficient & more self-reliant. We are likely to witness an increase in requests for homes being designed to serve as a lifestyle hub that they can share with others (i.e.: home theaters, spa baths, exercise gyms, library’s & home offices, yoga studios & decks, art studios, etc.)
In general, clients seeking to commune with nature are also interested in protecting it. Most of our clients want to make sure we are building sustainably for them. At Trilogy, we strive to be as environmentally conscious & responsible as possible. We geolocate our 3d design models so that we can in effect design them in the simulated environmental conditions that will affect the finished home. We analyze things like solar exposure, angle of the sun on a particular day, roof overhangs to create summer shade, prevailing winds, and view corridors for optimal fenetration. We also model our homes to find problem areas that can be more efficient with just a few design or materials changes.
Photo Credit: ZDH Design
-If clients choose to purchase a vacation home/second home, what should they consider with the design/build that they might not consider at their primary residence?
The second or vacation home will be a family gathering spot. It may also be an income opportunity as a rental. People come to Colorado and the mountains for instance to be surrounded by nature and to participate in an active outdoor lifestyle. The home and the amenities of the home should take into account these priorities.
In a climate like Summit County, sustainable building is a good way to lower the operational costs of the home while protecting the environment. High-efficiency buildings use both active and passive systems to reach sustainable codes.
Smart controls make the home easier to manage when the owner is away or to give access to short term renters if that is a priority. With proper planning and automation, these homes can operate well on auto-pilot, saving energy and stress, without much owner intervention when the owner is absent.
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