Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA, Harvard University Joint Center for Housing Studies, Cambridge, Mass.
Kevin Lawrence Harris, AIA, NCARB, Kevin Harris Architect LLC, Baton Rouge
Deborah Pierce, AIA, Pierce Lamb Architects, West Newton, MA

      Residential renovation is a growing segment of the economy, accounting for 40 percent of all residential construction and improvement spending in the United States and more than 2 percent of the nation’s economy. The average age of the American home is 32 years, and updating is best when using an architect’s unique skills. We’ll discuss the trends and challenges of running a successful residential renovation practice and how to succeed in this expanding niche market.

Learning objectives:

• Analyze relevant data on the changing structure of the home remodeling industry, explore the statistics and demographics driving this market, and review Harvard's Joint Center for Housing Studies data and the results of the AIA Home Trends Survey
• Explain why an architect's education, training, and experience are uniquely suited for the challenges and demands of residential renovation
• Compare best practices, lessons learned, and business models from two successful residential renovation practices in geographically and culturally divergent regions, including marketing, contracts, project delivery, and client interview/selection.