I think the technology is going toward lower current, not higher The HVAC
system will probably be drawing half of what it did in 1980 for the same
house
right now. People are warming up to flourecents, TVs are a big lamp now..

Even motors are using less energy than in the past.

Exactly. The real loads are in the kitchen, laundry and bathroom. NFPA has
dealt with that by adding 12 ga circuits. The rest of the house is basically
running light bulbs and transistors. If a person builds a shop, it is really up
to them to come up with a plan for the extra power. You can't expect a builder
to anticipate that need in advance unless it was spec'ed in the house.