American Society of Landscape Architects Releases 2011 Residential Trends Survey Results

American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) announced thatits 2011 Residential Trends Survey reveals that homeowners wantfunction, efficiency and fire pits in their outdoor space.

According to a release, the survey asked residential landscapearchitecture professionals to rate the expected popularity of dozensof different outdoor living and landscape features for this year.

For 2011, the top outdoor living features are some of the mostbasic: light, fire, food and a place to sit and enjoy it all.Overall, 96.2 percent of respondents rated exterior lighting assomewhat or very popular for this year, followed by fire pits/fireplaces (94.2 percent), seating/dining areas (94.1 percent),grills (93.8 percent) and installed seating like benches or seatwalls (89.5 percent).

While the most popular outdoor features reflect an enduringsensibility, the interest in modern technology like stereo systems(58.3 percent), Internet access (46.3 percent) and televisions (45.4percent) adds to the growing trend of taking what we enjoy inside tothe outdoors - up to a point. Only 10.4 percent of respondentsthought outdoor sleeping areas would be popular this year.

"Despite the economic climate, homeowners continue to reconnectwith their outdoor space. However, expect many households this yearto either phase in projects over time or carefully select fewerfeatures," said ASLA Executive VP and CEO Nancy Somerville, Hon.ASLA.

ASLA noted that it when it comes to landscape elements,efficiency and sustainability reign supreme. The most popular for2011 include low maintenance landscapes (94.2 percent), nativeplants (87.2), water-efficient irrigation (83.1 percent), ornamentalwater features (81 percent) and food/vegetable gardens (80.3percent). Other popular sustainability features for 2011 includepermeable paving (77 percent), reduced lawn (72.6 percent) andrainwater harvesting (63.6 percent).

ASLA is the national professional association for landscapearchitects, representing more than 15,000 members in 48 professionalchapters and 68 student chapters.

More Information:

asla.org/residentialinfo

asla.org

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