Looking Forward, Looking Back

The year 2025 was a study in contrasts.

We saw luxury markets soar, fueled by stock market gains, alongside stories of devastation: we covered Marmol Radziner's approach to recovery in post-wildfire Los Angeles and one builder's hard-fought effort to launch a restoration division after flooding in North Carolina.

We heard about persistent labor shortages, but also about young people interested in working with materials and with their hands (like the artisans at Judson Studios, the stained glass studio we profiled this year).

Our readers showed strong interest in design-forward case studies, particularly midcentury modern homes and Austin projects, but also in building science, efficiency, and passive building methods.

As we head to shows and conferences in 2026, we'll share what else we're seeing. For now, a few trends stand out: AI is moving from curiosity to more purposeful experimentation, technology is becoming seamless enough to fade into the background, and there's growing interest in wellness ... and not just as amenities, but as what our editorial director Rich Binsacca calls "human resilience."

That framing feels exactly right for the year ahead. Here's to building and living well in 2026.

—Pauline Hammerbeck, Editor

P.S. Home Alone fans, our apologies. Last week's link to the renovated McCallister house didn't work. Here's a better link showing the dramatic changes that had fans aghast. Good news: The new owners are reportedly in the midst of refurbishing the interior to match the film's original spirit. Cheers to that! 🍾

P.P.S If you have a colleague who might enjoy this newsletter, please share this link with them. 

SIGNALS: What We're Tracking

Mortage Rates Falling, But Owners 'Locked In'

While interest rates are falling, nearly 30 million households (54% of mortage holders) have interest rates locked in at 4% or lower, according to WSJ analysis.

Why it matters: With current rates around 6%, homeowners who've locked in ultra-low rates may not want to give them up, even for a new home, the WSJ says. The dynamic may explain why the market still feels "stuck" even as rates drop. 

Rust Belt Town Named 'Most Competitive'

Irondequoit, NY, a suburb of Rochester, is the most competitive housing market in the U.S., according to a new report from Redfin. Homes in the lakeside town typically sell in just 8.5 days.

Why it matters: It's a signal of growing interest in Western and Upstate New York, where homes have been "flying off the shelves" for more than two years, the real estate site said, as buyers seek out affordability in Rust Belt towns.  

Fight Fire With ... Sound Waves?

A former NASA engineer's start-up uses acoustic fire suppression to stop wildfires before they cause building damage. The system creates low-frequency sound waves (inaudible to humans) that snuff out flames by pushing oxygen away from the fire. The current tech only works on small fires, but 50 pilot installs are scheduled for homes in 2026.