Residential Isn't Dead!

With the residential real estate market fallen on tough times, it appears that residential architecture and new construction is nearly dead at the moment.  Maybe not.

Last year, the EPA announced new, more restrictive regulations on lead paint removal in homes.  Basically, when renovating a home with lead paint, there are pretty restrictive standards for containment and cleanup.  Many contractors went out and got certified to work with lead paint.  Costs for renovations - especially extensive renovations - are expected to be high. 

Many older homes continue to require updates of critical systems.  Some of these houses need extensive updates.  However the size, configuration, quality of construction or design of the house may not warrant such an extensive upgrade when coupled with the required lead paint mitigation.  A serious concern on the part of communities and community leaders is the loss of investment in these older homes, the potential for vacating homes that need too much work, and the eventual loss of housing stock.  Developers are loathe right now to invest in new roads and infrastructure that poses little return on their investment with housing prices still at near-record lows.  So what is a land-owner or a community to do?

My suggestion: Re-Development.

Let me qualify this opinion by saying that 1) I am an architect trained in classical and traditional methods of construction; 2) I adore older homes, their design and construction - in fact we live in one; 3) I believe that exceptional pieces of historic architecture should be preserved.  HOWEVER, many of the older homes that need these upgrades are not worth saving.  When facing the options, it may seem a shame to tear down old houses just because it would be "hard" to update them.  However, when you consider the efficiencies gained with new technologies in insulation, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, it becomes a no-brainer.  The inefficiency - and dangers - of updating an old house can quickly be out-weighed by the efficiencies gained in the new construction that replaces it.

So, we are working on a concept to do just that.  I will post updates as they come along.