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Real Estate Journal — Mid-Year Review — June 23 - July 13, 2017 — 9C
M id A tlantic
I nterior D esign By Richard Gacek, Gacek Design Group Designing for the Generations
S ome recent information from the American So- ciety of Interior Design
tend to favor a smaller home with a high level of finish. They are interested in an experience and appreciate design with character and architectural details. Open floor-plans, lots of natural light, and authentic materials are preferred – and these choices are a different way of living than what they experienced in their past. The home is considered a haven, a place for artistic expression and relaxation with neutral and calming colors. Bold satu- rated color will show up every once in a while in accents.
Also, with Boomer’s desire to stay active and feel much younger than their age, health and wellness is important and evidenced in the home. Indoor spaces are extended to the outdoors. And with working in retirement as the new norm, Boomers include a “work from home” lifestyle, with an office or study present. Millennials were raised mostly by helicopter parents under the notion that “ev- eryone wins and receives a trophy”. They grew up seeing their parents working to live
and this shaped their own views on the workforce and the need for a work - life balance. They witnessed the impact of the economic recession and don’t necessarily view home- ownership as the American Dream. They are the most diverse generation, who have embraced the concept of shar- ing services that offer access to products that you do not have to purchase: everything from cars, music, luxury goods, apartments, and even work spaces. Health and wellness is a pri-
mary focus for this generation. Research indicates that they exercise more, eat smarter, and smoke less than previous gen- erations. They lead active lives, are focused on fitness, and sur- round themselves with friends and amenities, like walkability to nearby restaurants and bars; close to the city and work. With a strong sense of community, social connectivity is important and Millennials are willing to trade home size and finishes for overall lifestyle with inside and outside amenities. continued on page 20C
(ASID) tells us tha t i n order to un- derstand the build envi- ronment, we need to un- derstand the preferences of the audi-
Richard Gacek
ence. The ASID 2016 – 2017 Outlook and State of the In- dustry Report offers guidance by highlighting “high impact” factors that can affect design to include the business envi- ronment; the characteristics of the individual designer; knowledge; and generational differences. Gacek Design Group, lead- ing architectural consulting and interior design firm, is particularly focused on gen- erational differences. As a common practice, we stay cur- rent on third party research to demonstrate to our partners, (builders and developers), that generational preferences are critical to designing an interior experience that will resonate. Generational infor- mation gives us insight to the common experiences that are shared during a particular period. These experiences shape who we are and reflect our culture, values, lifestyles, and preferences. Two primary target audiences for Multifam- ily are the generations of Baby Boomers and Millennials. Born during the “boom” fol- lowing WW2, Baby Boomers were influenced by a decade of war, television, rock and roll, and the hippie movement. They grew up in a nuclear, hardworking family, with a strong sense of values. Boom- ers were established in their careers before personal com- puters or cell phones. They stayed loyal to one company, gained experience and ex- pertise in their field and are today’s corporate executives and senior managers. Viewed as trendsetters with a strong sense of individuality, they were influenced by periods of social change, and reshaped America based on their sheer numbers. Boomers are the “Me Gen- eration” who view their home with discerning and well de- fined taste. They appreciate quality and craftsmanship and
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