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Design
The return of purposeful design
Sydney Katz discusses creating homes that work harder
Luxury in residential design is no longer defined by excess. Today, the most successful homes are those that quietly improve daily life through thoughtful planning, intentional layouts, and spaces that support the many ways people live. Beauty still matters, but increasingly it is paired with function, creating homes that feel effortless to use while remaining deeply personal.
Over the last several years, homeowners have developed a different relationship with their homes. The house is no longer simply where people return at the end of the day. It has become an office, a wellness retreat, a gathering place, an entertainment venue, and a sanctuary for rest. Even as life has become busier outside the home again, those expectations have remained.
As architects, we have seen clients place greater emphasis on spaces that support health and well-being. Dedicated fitness rooms, saunas, filtered water systems, and outdoor living spaces continue to be high priorities. Technology has also become more integrated into everyday life, with homeowners requesting thoughtfully placed charging stations, automated lighting, motorized shades, and whole-home audio systems that simplify daily routines rather than complicate them.
These features are valuable, but they are only successful when they are woven into a home with intention. Technology should disappear into the background. Wellness spaces should feel naturally connected to the way a family lives instead of existing as isolated amenities. The goal
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