by: Ken Riley, Architectural Imagineering, Architect / Architectural Photographer

As we breeze through the halfway point of 2018 several new residential architectural design trends have developed that will shape the way we live in our homes and how they function. Here's a short list of what we think are the top 5 developing in 2018.

1. Introduction of the Tesla Solar Roof

After Tesla brought their groundbreaking electric car to market, and created the company Solar City to install solar panels for homeowners, they have announced the development of a game-changing new product. The Tesla Solar Roof. The Solar Roof is a system of interlocking tempered glass roof tiles with embedded solar cells that turn sunlight into energy to power your home.

We have had multiple requests from clients to add these tiles to their new home designs. They come in four different styles, Asphalt, Tuscan, Smooth and Slate; enough variety to suit any home design. These tiles blend into your roof and have the appearance of a real asphalt shingle, slate or standard tile roof. From street level they look like a standard shingle or tiled roof, the embedded solar cells are invisible from the ground. The solar cell embedded in the tiles are only visible from the sun's viewpoint, above.

They are advertised to be 3 times stronger than current shingles and roof tiles on the market. This is why they have a 30 year warranty, the best on the market today. The individual tiles have a lifetime warranty. When combined with the Tesla Power-Wall battery storage unit, you can power your home day or night.

They are projected to be cheaper to install than current roof mounted solar panels, like the ones that Solar City and others install. The overall cost is projected to be slightly higher than replacing your roof with current shingles that are on the market today. This makes them a very attractive option when compared to replacing your roof with standard shingles.

The tiles are already available in a few limited markets and the availability is anticipated to grow all through 2018 and 2019.

The Tesla Solar Roof tiles have the potential to be a huge force for change and a force multiplier that could improve the way we power our homes. We are excited to see what the future brings for this new product and how it could change the way we power our homes in the future!

2. Mini-Split Wall Mounted HVAC Systems

Common in Asia and Europe, wall mounted Mini-Split HVAC Systems are just entering the US market and are gaining attention due to their versatility and cost advantages over traditional duct-based systems.

Typical HVAC units need long runs of duct work to get conditioned air distributed through the residence. A Mini-Split unit only needs a small copper tube run from the compressor, with some additional cabling, to the wall unit for distribution into the zone.

An alternative would be a window mounted HVAC unit that might require holes cut in the walls. A Split unit can be mounted in multiple rooms, with separate controls for each zone, without taking up window area and allows complete local control over how the rooms are cooled and heated.

The initial cost to install a Mini-Split system is typically a little higher than a traditional HVAC system but the long term running costs are lower than traditional systems so the benefits are excellent when compared to traditional systems.

Maintenance is easy, using reusable filters that need periodic cleaning instead of replacement, and easy access to the outdoor condenser for easy washing.

We are completing our first project utilizing Mini-Split systems in Greeley this year with an apartment facility for student housing at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC). Our client has lived in Taiwan for many years and knows the benefit of these systems first hand. This project is a perfect application for the new Mini-Split units as they allow for individual zone control of heating and cooling, with an easy installation, and at a low operational cost.

Design by Architectural Imagineering Studio 2018

3. Accessible Home Design - Universal Design

In the past we have designed homes with spiral staircases, sunken living rooms, high cabinets and other features that were difficult for some people to use due to physical limitations. Architects are now designing accessible homes that everyone can use and will be comfortable for people of all ages and abilities.

Architects often use the phrase "Universal Design" when creating homes that everybody can live in comfortably. Most designers are aware of the ICC and ADA national standards that require minimum accessibility standards in large multi-family and commercial buildings but these standards are not required in smaller multi-family structures and single family homes. By voluntarily thinking beyond the bare minimum code requirements we can design homes to a higher standard that will help raise the quality of life for all homeowners, allow them and their families to stay in their homes longer and age-in-place.

Beyond the needs of people with disabilities, Universal Design involves designing spaces to be used by a full range of people with different capabilities and at different times in their lives.

These concepts can be seen in the bathroom with larger doors and openings, showers and tubs that are easier to enter and safely use. Counters that are set at lower heights, or at split heights, for multiple users. Auto sensing faucets allow people with low grip strength to use sinks, and are easier for everyone.

Bedroom doors are typically 2'-8" wide but by using a 3' door it's easier to get furniture in and out as well as people carrying laundry baskets, or in a wheelchair. Hallways are required by code to be 36" clear. If you widen the hallway by an additional 6" to 12" you can comfortably walk down the corridor side by side with 2 people, or make it easier to get through with a walker or a wheelchair.

Minimizing hallways and using more open design concepts throughout can make it easier for everyone to easily access all areas of the home. Making smaller thresholds and avoiding floor drops is helpful to small children as well as the elderly.

Many of the concepts involved in Universal Design can be accomplished by adding width or making clearances larger and other simple design changes. Some utilize new technology to improve access and ease of use, but many concepts can be completed without adding additional costs.

It's inevitable that our capabilities will change over time. When you design a home with these concepts in mind you help people function better in their own home, allow them to stay in their homes longer and maintain their quality of life.

4. Blurring the line between inside and outside

What used to be a solid separation is now changing. The line between the inside and outside of your home is getting blurry. With the advent of sliding glass walls that disappear from view (like NanaWall) you can now open entire walls to allow your outside living areas to blend seamlessly with the interior spaces. Deck space with outside amenities like outdoor kitchens, fire-pits and living spaces can now feel like they are an extension of the interior space adding valuable square footage to the habitable space of you home.

New technology can make exterior decks waterproof which allows the underside to be so protected you can run electrical services for exterior lighting, fans and power making the exterior spaces as functional as the interior spaces. With the addition of outdoor kitchens these spaces can become so functional they rival the interior.

When these areas are protected from the elements you can also align the floor levels which makes the spaces work together even better It also helps with the accessibility issues, as we discussed in the previous article. When the floor is aligned it also adds to the feeling that these spaces work together as one contiguous space.

In our Colorado region these outdoor shared spaces are only limited by the seasons. Adding exterior fireplaces, overhead radiant heaters or sub-floor heating elements can help stretch the calendar so we can enjoy these spaces even longer.

With Summer coming to an end I look forward to our fire-pit and the extra time we can spend outside with our covered deck and the extra living space it gives us.

Photo by Architectural Imagineering Studio - Stanford model - Henry Walker Homes, Salt Lake City, Utah

5. Upgraded & Multiple Kitchens

While the requested size of kitchens remains steady the demand for the number of kitchen's is growing. This is due mainly to the growing popularity of outdoor kitchens. As noted in the previous article outdoor kitchens can add to the functionality of exterior spaces especially when combined with living spaces.

Interior kitchens that are more integrated into family living spaces are becoming much more popular. Technology and energy-efficient appliances are high on homeowner's list of requests as well as "smart / connected kitchens". With kitchens that are blended more with family living spaces, homeowners want to have the ability to control and monitor kitchen functions while they spend time with their family.

With the cost of homes hitting new highs another trend is that some clients are requesting smaller homes with high-end features and finishes. Features more often found in high-end homes such as double islands, wine storage, butler pantries and computer work stations are now showing up in smaller homes to help give them that high-end feel.

A Denver Architect's 5 Hot Residential Trends for 2018