CB Signals: Trends and Ideas Our Editors are Tuning Into This Week
Each week, we scan the horizon of luxury residential design and construction to surface early signs of change: shifts in design, strategy, materials, or just mindset.
CB Signals is where we collect the small things that may become big things, like an architect's offhand comment or a subtle change in client expectations. Some trends are still whispers, of course. But we think they're all worth tuning into.
Signal →Tech Tension
Is Low Tech the New Luxury? Or Just Smart Tech Done Better?
A growing number of headlines suggest a shift toward less visible, less intrusive tech (or even none at all). Architect Yan Wang of Cover Architecture, via Dwell, argued that "smart homes don’t have a place in the future," saying the always-on experience contributes to anxiety rather than relieves it. The Hollywood Reporter said the ultra-rich in LA are seemingly unplugging from smart homes. While The Wall Street Journal added fuel to the fire, posting the provocative question, "Why Do Smart Appliances Continue to Be So Dumb?". Some luxury buyers are even leaning into completely off-grid homes for the ultimate in peace and privacy.
Our Take: If clients are ditching tech, it’s likely just a small group. The real issue is how smart systems are integrated. Because the signal is clear: clients want seamless, invisible, and genuinely useful tech. No one wants to be juggling multiple apps for simple tasks.
A promising solution could be Matter, a new universal smart home standard backed by Apple, Google, and the like. Still rolling out, it aims to make devices more compatible and user-friendly. Here’s a Wired primer on it. If successful, Matter could be the fix that makes smart home tech feel effortless again.
Signal → Porch Talk
Why Porches Still Matter. And What That Might Signal.
At this year’s Venice Architecture Biennale, a prestigious architectural exhibition where countries showcase ideas about what’s next in the built environment, the U.S. pavilion put a spotlight on a simple but meaningful space: the porch. Bloomberg reports that it’s being celebrated as a symbol of connection and climate adaptation that deserves wider recognition:
“We’re telling ourselves implicitly through our architecture that we really want to be in these in-between spaces,” says U.S. pavilion co-curator Peter MacKeith. “We want to be out on the world, welcoming the world, looking at nature, observing the weather and being aware of the climate we live in.”
Our Take: The humble porch might seem like a holdover from another era, but its continued presence (especially in the ever-popular modern farmhouse) suggests it still resonates. Porches signal comfort and connection; they support small daily rituals like morning coffee. They also serve as passive climate buffers, offering shade and airflow. Even if a full porch doesn’t suit your next build, it’s worth asking: what makes that space feel so special?
Signal → Lighting Strategy
Is it Time to Finally Rethink Recessed Lighting?
In a recent Instagram post, House Beautiful had a bold take: “Enough with the recessed lighting.” Designers says they're steering away from grids of cans in favor of surface-mounted fixtures and under-cabinet lighting. In the accompanying piece, interior designer Nina Freudenberger says:
"I’m doing a lot of surface-mounted fixtures instead of recessed— keeping the ceiling less task-oriented and more fun.”
Our Take: Recessed lighting has its place, of course. It's easy to install during framing and can offer broad coverage. But the signal is clear: It's best to integrate it more thoughtfully and, by all means, avoid the dreaded "Swiss cheese" effect. In luxury custom homes, it's worth slowing down to collaborate with design teams early to achieve a more effective layered effect.
Small shifts often signal bigger changes. We’ll keep sharing what we're noticing in luxury home design and building. See something interesting? Have a tip or trend we should watch? Let us know: [email protected].
About the Author
Pauline Hammerbeck
Pauline Hammerbeck is Editor of Custom Builder, overseeing coverage for custom home builders and their architect and design partners. She also serves as a Senior Editor at Pro Builder, where she directs products coverage and the MVP Product Awards. With experience across architecture, real estate, retail and design, Pauline brings broad experience to her work. She lives in an American Foursquare and has strong opinions on Brutalism. Reach her at [email protected].