Here are 4 of the 10 trends our DesignLens team published this month, to give you a taste of what buyers are looking for in new homes that they cannot find in the resale market:
- More light in high-density housing to help achieve 5%+/- premium
- Exteriors that look more expensive than they are
- Clever kitchen and bath designs for a 35’ wide home
- Creatively mixing conventional and alley-loaded homes to improve sales by targeting more lifestyles
Each month, we publish 50+ photos and narratives on 8–10 design trends that we believe will drive improved sales and profitability at communities across the country over the next several years.
Orchard Park, Courts
San Jose, CA
Light on every side for these exceptional townhomes.
All townhomes at the Courts at Orchard Park boast an end unit-style design and thus enjoy more light on more sides, along with a 5%+/- premium over comparable homes in the market. The special courtyard configuration achieves 18 units/acre and offers generous living areas of 1,690 to 2,243 square feet.
Builder: New Home Company
Architect: Robert Hidey Architects

Beacon Hill Collection
Denver, CO
Less expensive than it looks.
Reminiscent of the historical neighborhood of Beacon Hill, Parkwood Homes carefully designed these 10 unit/acre townhomes with generous spacing of 1,900 to 2,600 square feet. Beacon Hill’s historical architecture combines simple forms and authentic detailing with modern traditional finishes on the inside. Cost-effective construction has allowed Aitken-Sadlik Architects to design a product that looks expensive but does not break the budget. Priced from the low $400Ks, this community is a must-see with value in all the right places.
Builder: Parkwood Homes
Architect: Aitken-Sadlik Architects

Collins Creek
Phoenix, AZ
Clever kitchen and bath designs in 35-foot-wide homes
These 35-foot-wide homes not only maximize the view but have modern designs creating eye-catching outdoor and indoor spaces. Collins Creek offers two distinctly different plans: a single-level home with 1,473 square feet and a two-level home with 3,317 square feet. Together, Collins Creek achieves 4–5 units per acre. Most of all, however, the innovative kitchens and baths are exceptional examples of great interior design specifications.
Builder: Ashton Woods
Architect: Woodley Architectural Group

Briarcliff at Magnolia
Seattle, WA
Mixing conventional and alley-loaded homes to maximize sales
Briarcliff’s harmonious blend of alley-loaded and conventional homes makes for a better street scene and can attract a wider market segment as well. Our research has shown that alley-loaded homes attract more non-family consumers looking for a lower-maintenance lifestyle, while a conventionally designed home with the garage on the front appeals more to families looking for private outdoor yards. At Briarcliff, you can have both, with homes ranging from 2,544 to 3,173 square feet (excluding basements).
Builder: Toll BrothersArchitect: In-house, Seattle, WA

Special Feature: Kitchen and Baths
Join Mollie Carmichael in an informative webinar on great kitchen and baths, with trends sure to surprise even the most knowledgeable in our industry. We know you will come away full of ideas to incorporate into your next product.
For a complete tour of all of these communities please visit www.newhometrendsinstitute.com
Our team of industry experts have identified these communities as the latest and greatest examples of design leadership in their market segments. We carefully select projects from around the nation to inspire new ideas and increase your knowledge of trends and opportunities. Learn where they are built, what makes them extraordinary, and who helped bring them to market.