A Harry Bates-designed home scheduled for the wrecking ball was renovated by SERHANT Sales Director Peter Zaitzeff and Architect Robert Dean into a stylish, mid-century modern home in the East Hamptons, N.Y. Zaitzeff and his wife, Annie Dean, bought the home in 2018 with the renovation vision in mind, prompting them to step into the home renovation industry. “It was a teardown basically,” said Zaitzeff. “But we said no, the bones of the house are amazing. We were in love with it because of the pedigree—it was Harry Bates.” Beginning…
Read MoreDay: February 11, 2026
SoftPlan AI Enhanced Render Released
SoftPlan Systems, Inc. has released an update to SoftPlan 2026 that includes new AI rendering functionality. With a single click of the mouse, SoftPlan’s AI Enhanced Render tool uses AI processing to turn any simple 3D model into a stunning, realistic rendering. SoftPlan’s latest innovation, AI Enhanced Render, can create photorealistic visuals from basic 3D concepts in minutes. Once an exterior or interior view is selected for processing, SoftPlan’s AI analyzes the lighting and materials of the design model and then generates a beautiful, lifelike image that includes complex elements…
Read MoreKitchen remodels shift towards longevity and efficiency
Kitchen remodels are drifting away from being aesthetically impressive for a moment and more towards being built for everyday work life in 2026. Homeowners researching Kitchen Remodeling are looking past dramatic finishes and focusing on layouts, materials and planning methods for daily efficiency. Kitchens are being designed with long-term use in mind, reflecting a growing understanding that a kitchen is not a showroom, but one of the hardest-working rooms in the home. The most noticeable shift in 2026 kitchen renovation design is the move away from decorative excess. Oversized islands,…
Read MoreConstruction employment stalls in December
A recently released report from the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) reported that construction job growth was limited in an estimated more than half of all metro areas. Their report cites that construction employment throughout 2025 remained stable in only 55 metro areas and declined in 129 metro areas. The largest construction employment losses were in the Las Vegas (-11 percent), New York City (-8 percent) and Riverside ( -7 percent). While the largest increase was in Washington (12 percent), Kansas City (9 percent) and Arlington ( 6 percent).…
Read More2026 Construction Outlook
Construction activity is expected to stay strong heading into 2026, with data centers, manufacturing and infrastructure projects leading the way. Contractors are still dealing with high material costs, labor shortages and tariffs, but the new tax law may offer some relief to the construction industry. Economic conditions are showing signs of improvement, though many construction companies are still facing higher costs and tighter margins. For reference, prices are rising at about 3% per year, much lower than the spikes in 2022, but still above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target. In…
Read MoreFive renovation trends taking over 2026
Designers are already starting to pinpoint renovation design trends set to take over homes in 2026. Features like in-home gyms and saunas are on the rise, while cooler stones and tiles are being replaced with rich hues and seamless stone. Open concept layouts will be left behind in 2025 and will be replaced by more defined spaces. “As people spend more time at home, the appeal of more traditional floor plans with spaces that are separated for visual and sound privacy has become very evident,” said Peter Miles, architect and…
Read MoreWhat’s limiting American construction productivity
The downward trend of productivity falling in the U.S. construction industry fell 30% between 1970 and 2024, while overall labor productivity more than doubled. A report from leading investment banking, securities, and asset and wealth management firm Goldman Sachs explains why the U.S. construction industry is trailing behind countries’ construction industries. One reason Goldman Sachs attributes to the trend is the limited gains in industry innovation. They cited that most construction materials and tools first originated in the 1950s. The industry has yet to fully take advantage of recent technologies…
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