Let’s be honest: we’re still building homes like we’ve just wrapped up WWII and are bracing for the arrival of the first color television.
I’ve been on the road lately. First in North Carolina, where rows of new homes are cropping up look suspiciously like the ones we grew up in. Then back to the city, where developers are unveiling “new” projects that feel oddly... nostalgic.
And not in a good way.
It’s as if builders are still designing for Boomers. Or worse, for a version of them that doesn’t exist anymore. It’s 2025. We don’t live like we did in 1950. We don’t want to. And even if you're a Boomer, chances are you don’t want to feel like you're stepping into a time capsule with every walkthrough.
But here we are. Scrolling through listings that all seem to feature the same recycled floorplans, the same tired “open concept everything,” and the same design elements I saw when I started in the mid 90s.
Life Has Changed. Our Homes Haven’t.
Yes, some developers toss in a fitness room or a “Zoom nook” as a selling point. But more often than not, these are bolt ons, not baked in design solutions. And they fall short.
So here’s the question: What if our homes were designed around how we live now, and where we’re headed next?
Start With the Tech... Not the Workaround
Right now, smart homes are mostly dumb. We retrofit them with gadgets like voice assistants, smart plugs, remote thermostats, but it’s a piecemeal approach. Tech should be integrated, intentional, and invisible.
What would that look like?
Let’s Talk Robots. (Just Not the Creepy Kind.)
I don’t need a humanoid robot wandering around my house. (Sorry Elon, that is freaking weird.) But a machine that folds laundry, preps dinner, and knows where the vacuum lives? That I’d welcome with open arms.
Think: Function, not form.
Give me a robot that disappears into the rhythm of the house. A quiet co-pilot, not a science experiment.
But here’s the important part: homes should anticipate that future. Design for it now. Dedicated charging nooks, motion-friendly layouts, integrated hubs. Not add-ons, but architecture.
Build for the Life Ahead, Not the Life Behind
No one’s asking for Jetsons-level fantasy here. (Okay, maybe a little.) But the bigger point stands:
We need homes that evolve.
That grow with us. That adapt.
Retrofitting won’t cut it.
We shouldn’t be cramming tomorrow’s tools into yesterday’s design.
Design is a reflection of values. And if we value innovation, sustainability, accessibility, and ease, our homes should say so.
It’s time to move on from 1950. Let’s build what’s next.
I’ve been on the road lately. First in North Carolina, where rows of new homes are cropping up look suspiciously like the ones we grew up in. Then back to the city, where developers are unveiling “new” projects that feel oddly... nostalgic.
And not in a good way.
It’s as if builders are still designing for Boomers. Or worse, for a version of them that doesn’t exist anymore. It’s 2025. We don’t live like we did in 1950. We don’t want to. And even if you're a Boomer, chances are you don’t want to feel like you're stepping into a time capsule with every walkthrough.
But here we are. Scrolling through listings that all seem to feature the same recycled floorplans, the same tired “open concept everything,” and the same design elements I saw when I started in the mid 90s.
Life Has Changed. Our Homes Haven’t.
- We work from home now.
- We prioritize wellness.
- We care about clean air, natural light, and quiet.
- We want tech that doesn’t scream “tech.”
Yes, some developers toss in a fitness room or a “Zoom nook” as a selling point. But more often than not, these are bolt ons, not baked in design solutions. And they fall short.
So here’s the question: What if our homes were designed around how we live now, and where we’re headed next?
Start With the Tech... Not the Workaround
Right now, smart homes are mostly dumb. We retrofit them with gadgets like voice assistants, smart plugs, remote thermostats, but it’s a piecemeal approach. Tech should be integrated, intentional, and invisible.
What would that look like?
- Drone-friendly design: Zipline is already delivering prescriptions and supplies by drone. Why not build a rooftop landing zone into your next home? No more missed packages. No more porch pirates.
- Voice-activated living: If we can text with our voices, why can’t we tell our homes to close the shades or start the coffee maker?
- EV charging, built-in: We don’t ask if a home has plumbing. EV charging should be just as standard.
Let’s Talk Robots. (Just Not the Creepy Kind.)
I don’t need a humanoid robot wandering around my house. (Sorry Elon, that is freaking weird.) But a machine that folds laundry, preps dinner, and knows where the vacuum lives? That I’d welcome with open arms.
Think: Function, not form.
Give me a robot that disappears into the rhythm of the house. A quiet co-pilot, not a science experiment.
But here’s the important part: homes should anticipate that future. Design for it now. Dedicated charging nooks, motion-friendly layouts, integrated hubs. Not add-ons, but architecture.
Build for the Life Ahead, Not the Life Behind
No one’s asking for Jetsons-level fantasy here. (Okay, maybe a little.) But the bigger point stands:
We need homes that evolve.
That grow with us. That adapt.
Retrofitting won’t cut it.
We shouldn’t be cramming tomorrow’s tools into yesterday’s design.
Design is a reflection of values. And if we value innovation, sustainability, accessibility, and ease, our homes should say so.
It’s time to move on from 1950. Let’s build what’s next.
Let's do this-
Shaun