Our Experts
Sarah Armstrong, AIA - Studio360 LLC | Mike Campbell - Winchester
James McDonald - James McDonald Associate Architects | Yuri Sagatov - ODE Design
What’s a game-changing building product?
“Products like Hardie Board panels or large-format tile provide weather-resistant accents, adding color and texture to a design.”
James McDonald
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“Using new lighting systems to set a mood or define a space can make a design come alive, so innovative products like Ketra are incredibly exciting to me.”
Sarah Armstrong
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“Our company has been using Accoya wood products in many exterior applications, such as decks, windows, doors, siding and shutters. The product is stable, rot-resistant and paints well.”
Mike Campbell
What home amenities are most in demand?
“There’s a growing demand for kitchens that incorporate sculleries or oversized, highly functional pantries. These spaces serve as hardworking zones for countertop appliances—freeing up the main kitchen to remain clean, open and visually calm.”
Yuri Sagatov
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“Clients ask for flexible spaces that can accommodate family members coming and going, such as aging parents or young adult children who are transitioning to leaving the roost. This could be a study that can transform into a bedroom, or suites that can accommodate family to age in place for a longer stretch of time.”
Sarah Armstrong
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“We’ve seen an uptick in outdoor cooking, fire pits and stand-alone masonry fireplaces. We imagine these spaces were results of the pandemic and clients’ desire to have the amenities of a high-end resort in their backyard.”
Mike Campbell
How is AI impacting your work?
“In the custom-home industry, it is still important to work with clients to develop and translate their wishes into a home for their family, but AI has really sped up the facilitation of digital renderings to present to them.”
James McDonald
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“In the short term, AI will likely lower the barrier to entry for semi-custom interior design, enabling faster creation of mood boards and aesthetic concepts. Over the long term, It’s entirely possible that AI could generate impressive home designs or architectural concepts with little to no expert input. “
Yuri Sagatov
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“AI has been a great tool for our office, allowing us to quickly access inspiration images to share with clients and save time researching product ideas. We use it to take meeting notes, write proposals and create renderings.”
Sarah Armstrong
