MIA: Leadership Training

The bottom line, Anton noted, is that a surging population will create a demand for more housing. The U.S. population will grow by 100 million people in the next 40 years. Most of that growth will come from immigrant and minority households. He added that by 2035, minority households will account for nearly half of all U.S. households.

In the short term, new housing starts will continue to be sluggish, but fast forward to late 2012 and early 2013, new housing starts should be at the 1.5-million level. (Note: the peak was 1.725 million in 2006).

#2 Will High Density Housing Become the New Normal?
Many policy experts expect a permanent shift to closer-in neighborhoods and urban centers. But others believe we’ll return to building detached homes on big lots in the suburbs.

Anton observed that new development will follow the path of least resistance; in the beginning of the recovery, current patterns are likely to continue. But, we’ll need more and better houses as we burn through existing home inventory, more people enter the country, and households form, we’ll need more and better houses.

#3 Is Energy-Efficient Construction Here to Stay?
Is this a permanent shift in consumer behavior or a short-term fad? Buyers will pay for energy upgrades. Energy efficiency differentiates new from existing homes and lower operating costs reduce the true cost of ownership.

Anton noted that neighborhoods, schools and pricing are much-more-important than energy efficiency, as no one will buy a home in the wrong neighborhood. But, low utility bills provide peace of mind and the housing industry can expect that higher energy costs will place a premium on efficient housing; building codes will get stricter; government regulations will become more stringent; and low-cost thermal imaging will go mainstream.

#4 Will Builder Consolidation Increase?
Top metropolitan areas for builder consolidation include: Albuquerque, N.M.; Baltimore-Towson, Md.; Bradenton-Sarasota-Venice, Fla.; Charleston-North Charleston-Summerville, S.C; Las Vegas-Paradise, Nev; Orlando-Kissimmee, Fla; Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, Ariz.; Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, Calif.; Stockton, Calif.; and, Tucson, Ariz.

Stone companies must realize that while national builders have great advantages, small companies are in the best competitive position to do innovative projects. The barrier for entry by small builders remains low.

Sustainability

Stephanie Vierra, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP, a consultant on sustainability to the natural-stone industry for the past four years, provided the principles and drivers in the sustainability/whole building design movement. The summary of her overview of how stone makes an appropriate, attractive, and natural material design choice that will contribute to a holistic solution over a project’s life cycle is available online at www.marble-institute.com/leadership.