In this episode of Build Better Homes, co-hosts Royal Mortier and John O’Shea kick off the year by diving into how home design is shifting in 2026, away from surface-level aesthetics and toward long-term livability, flexibility, and real-world use.

Drawing from decades of experience across production, custom, and high-performance residential construction, Royal and John unpack how economic pressure, remote work, multi-generational living, and lifestyle changes are reshaping the way homes are planned.

This conversation explores why the most successful homes aren’t defined by trends or paint colors, but by how well they support people through every stage of life.

• Why “designing for how people actually live” matters more than ever
• How aging-in-place and multi-generational living are driving floor plan changes
• The growing role of ADUs for flexibility, income, and family needs
• Why single-story living is making a comeback (without the old ranch-house feel)
• How indoor–outdoor living is evolving with large openings and collapsible walls
• The importance of early planning to avoid expensive structural mistakes
• Why purpose-built spaces (coffee nooks, pet washes, flex rooms) are becoming standard
• How builders can balance profitability with long-term homeowner satisfaction

This episode sets the foundation for a year-long conversation about smarter, more thoughtful residential design and why planning ahead is always cheaper than fixing later.

🔗 Learn more at https://pliris.co