By Edward Nader
Each year, the building industry comes together to introduce and showcase advancements in design and building technology. Design and Construction Week featured the International Builder Show (IBS) concurrently with the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) last month. Over three days, more than 120,000 attendees filled more than a million square feet of exhibition space featuring over 2,000 exhibitors. It is enough to make even the most seasoned attendee’s head spin.
So much is seen in such a short time, and it is astonishing to see the advancements in technology, especially in the era of AI. Truly mind-boggling. Let me take you on a quick journey of what resonated and made a lasting impression on me in the home building industry.
While the number of entry-level homes is very much on the rise, the majority of development dollars are still devoted to luxury homes. These luxury buyers want not only a home to live in and entertain, but also to work and to retreat. Luxury buyers are demanding wellness alongside convenience and style, and that movement towards wellness and health was on full display, along with many technology advancements.
What’s new in home design and construction?
AI!
There isn’t a sector of kitchen and bath that isn’t heavily weighted on AI and that was very apparent at KBIS. The advancements in just 12 short months from the last KBIS show is simply mind boggling.
GE Profile introduced a Smart Refrigerator with a built in “Scan to List” feature. When you have the last of the milk, simply swipe past the scanner and it is on a shared grocery list with the family on your app. Want to try a new recipe? Use the touchpad to ask Taste of Home or other recipe sites, and BAM, you have a shopping list. Untick what you don’t want, and hit the Instacart command to have it delivered.
Really? What’s next? It does the cooking for you? Well, now that you asked …
Several major appliance manufacturers now have cooking cameras installed. The camera identifies the food, adjusts temperature and cook time, and sends updates and images directly to your phone. It is so sophisticated that, for instance, if you put a pizza in the oven, it will notify you with something like “I see you have a pizza, would you like it crispy?“ WOW! This is cooking like the Jetsons.
LG Electronics showcased the LG Styler Smart Steam Closet with Dual TrueSteam Technology and Dynamic MovingHanger, essentially automatic fabric care and bringing dry cleaning in-home.
Featuring:
- AI Dry: detects weight, softness, and moisture levels of your clothes in real-time – prevents overdrying.
- AI Refresh (TurboSteam): Deep-penetrating steam reduces wrinkles and eliminates odors in minutes.
- Smart Pairing: The washer “talks” to the dryer via the LG app, telling the dryer exactly what was just washed so the dryer can pre-select the perfect AI Dry cycle
Other noteworthy standouts:
Whirlpool Corporation introduced the industry’s first refrigerator featuring a built-in Nugget Ice maker, providing soft, chewable ice integrated directly into your home refrigerator.
They also introduced the industry-first UV Clean technology, designed to be tough on bacteria in the wash while remaining gentle on fabrics. The system uses ultraviolet light that shines into the water, working to reduce bacteria during the wash cycle. UV Clean can be added to a regular wash, even in cool water temperatures. This allows you to reduce bacteria without needing high temperatures, harsh chemicals, or risking fabric fading.
Signature Kitchen Suite’s SKS WashCombo is an all-in-one solution that delivers high-performance washing and drying within a single unit, ideal for space-saving solutions like mudrooms, sculleries and casitas.
On the Design Side
Warm neutrals and natural surfaces still dominate the industry. The timeless warmth is never out of style.
It is always fun to see what Richard Anuszkiewicz (Richard A2Z) creates for GE Monogram. The Iconic Kitchen demonstrates how Monogram appliances work quietly in the background while the space seamlessly blends culinary function with gathering space. It provides a level of luxury that hasn’t been seen before in functional spaces. The space features many partners including Kallista, Cosentino, Four Hands, Grothouse, Architectural Grille, Artistic Tile, EcoDomo, Schumacher, Phillip Jeffries and Bentwood Luxury Kitchens.
The Seamless Collection from LG Electronics introduces a minimal aesthetic with appliances designed to visually disappear into the home through integrated forms, flush surfaces, and uninterrupted sightlines. Almost like a Mondrian painting, the seamless appliances not only create a space that is calm and uncluttered, they are also supported by AI, ensuring effortless operation behind the scenes.
Michael Aram’s new Orchid Dimensional Tile for Artistic Tile is not only stunning, but has a natural, organic feel. This 3-dimensional tile shown is also available in a flat version that can be used on floors or walls where a smooth surface is preferred.
The Spa and Wellness Experience.
Most luxury homes now include some form of spa experience, whether it’s a steam shower, sauna, red-light therapy room or fitness room. Homeowners are curating wellness environments tailored to their lifestyle.
This year, Kohler walked away with the KBIS Best of Show Booth Design award for their nearly 16,000 sq ft booth. Let’s take a look.
The Kohler Outdoor Sauna brings wellness built to withstand the elements. The self-contained unit can be enjoyed outside, or you opt for the same sauna in an indoor version.
A big feature this year was Kohler’s collaboration with Studio McGee. The Claude collection features a softer, warmer look for baths. Drawing from Kohler’s rich design archives, the Claude collection is rooted in architectural molding and classic furniture forms. Sculptural silhouettes, refined chamfered details, and balanced proportions define the collection.
Kohler also introduced its Synthos Workstation Sink, creating a work environment that is not only highly functional, but also visually striking. With multiple integrated components, there is a prep-to-serve connection that makes entertaining fun and easy. Available up to six feet long with multiple levels, this creates a massive workspace for any need in the kitchen.
Kohler’s new Aquifer 4-in-1 Beverage Faucet which offers ambient filtered water, chilled water, sparkling water, or hot water.
A new introduction to the U.S. market was Magpie kitchens and closets. The India-based manufacturer uses all non-porous, anti-microbial materials. For example, the drawer interiors are aluminum, offering a healthy alternative within your kitchen environment.
And yes, craft cocktail culture continues to influence the kitchen, with many new ice makers producing oversized, crystal-clear cocktail cubes.
As I walked the show floor, it became clear that the future of home design is no longer just about beautiful spaces. It’s about intelligent, responsive living. AI is quietly working behind the scenes, wellness is becoming a standard rather than a luxury, and design continues to ground it all in warmth and livability. The modern luxury home is evolving into a place that functions effortlessly and truly supports the way we live. If KBIS and IBS 2026 proved anything, it is that innovation and intention are now working hand in hand.
Edward Nader is the co-owner, with his sister, Margaret Love, of Nader’s Gallery in Shreveport, La.
