2026 Kitchen Trends Report Released [Monday Minute]


October 12, 2026, Edition

#CreatingWherePeopleLive

This weekly newsletter

is created by and for those designing homes in North America.

Its editorial staff is the American Institute of Building Design, Inc., the premier association of residential design professionals.

Here's what you get:

  • Field Notes
  • Nuts & Bolts
  • Highlights
  • Workshops & Gatherings
  • What We're Up To
  • Amazing sponsors who help keep this newsletter free for the industry.

Let's dive in.

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Field Notes

Could the next foundation you design double as a battery?

Structural concrete elements can soon transition from passive load-bearing materials into smart energy storage systems, potentially changing how mechanical space and electrical integrations are planned in future residential floor plans.

Source: Industrial Equipment News

AIBD in the spotlight: How Cleveland's architectural heritage inspired our national conference

When AIBD members explored Cleveland's historic Arcade during our national conference, newly appointed president Brandon Clockey highlighted how classic urban landmarks can serve as foundational childhood inspirations—and how studying historic civic spaces directly informs the scale, detailing, and spatial storytelling we bring back to modern residential design.

Source: The Land CLE

Free money for backyard builds: Are you capturing the ADU Gold Rush?

Multiple states are rolling out massive grants, forgivable loans, and fee waivers to help homeowners build backyard cottages.

For residential designers, will this government-backed push create a surge of motivated clients looking to turn unused yard space into rental income?

Source: Business Insider

Can high-performance design survive the next disaster?

Extreme weather and shifting building codes are raising the stakes for residential designers. In Building Resilience – Part 2: The Role of the Building Enclosure, industry experts break down how smart material choices—like vapor-open exterior insulation and ember-resistant details—protect homes against fire, seismic shifts, and power outages. Discover how to integrate these strategies efficiently into your next set of working drawings.

Source: Fine Homebuilding

Nuts & Bolts

NKBA | KBIS Releases Annual 2026 Kitchen Trends Report

From the surge in natural wood grains and flat-slab cabinetry to the sharp decline of maximalism and busy details, the newly released 2026 Kitchen Trends Report breaks down where Gen X and Boomer clients are directing their remodeling budgets.

Source: NKBA

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Highlights

Welcome New Members

And those returning

Craig C. Wilson (AL), Professional Member

Michael W. Harmon, Designtime Residential, LLC (SC), Associate Member

Caleb William Boitz, EMPYREAL HOME DESIGN, LLC (MI), Professional Member

Member Anniversaries

Congratulations to those celebrating the anniversary of their membership this month.

Help us celebrate the following milestones. 🎉🎊

50 years.

Larry Belk, CPBD (Ret.), FAIBD, CID | OK | Retired Professional | 10/7/1976

45 years

Tom M Sullivan, CPBD | TN | Professional | 10/21/1981

30 years

Timothy Boatright, CPBD-Retired | TX | Retired Professional | 10/9/1996

20 years

George Van Dusen, CPBD | CA | Professional | 10/26/2006

15-years

Richard G. Grothues, CPBD | Texas | Professional | 10/6/2011
​Steve Crain | GA | Professional | 10/20/2011

10-years

Susan F. Lei, CPBD | FL | Professional | 10/12/2016
​Jeffrey Walter Moore | LA | Professional | 10/19/2016

5-years

Toni Ware | TX | Professional | 10/5/2021

Randy Thompson | FL | Professional | 10/14/2021

Steven Byrne | TX | Professional | 10/20/2021

🎉🎊

Congrats! New CPBDs

Michael Do, CPBD, #38-716, DoCo Interiors, Salem, OR (10/06)

Certification demonstrates a professional's mastery of industry-specific experience and knowledge.

CPBD Anniversaries

Congratulations to those celebrating the anniversary of their certification this month.

Special congratulations to...
​45 years!

Bob O. Fredley Jr. CPBD | 44-265 | CO | 10/10/1981

25 years!

Michael Palumbo CPBD | 07-103 | CT | 10/5/2001

Lonnie J Bonacorso CPBD | 19-117 | LA | 10/23/2001

20 years!

Thomas Edward Rogers CPBD | 11-140 | GA | 10/18/2006

5 years!

Nima Mahmoudzadeh CPBD | 29-105 | NV | 10/212/2021

Christopher Zuniga CPBD | 44-1803 | TX | 10/28/2021

Matthew Parker CPBD | 44-804 | TX | 10/28/2021

🎊🎉

Thank you for your expertise, commitment, and passion for enriching our field and setting a high standard for those who follow in your footsteps.

Workshops & Gatherings

AIBD Chapters, Boards, and Councils

Click the links to view the topics and add them to your calendar.

4 Spots Left! October 24 - Eastern Shore Chapter - 11:30 am ET - AIBD Connect MD - Ledge House: A Private Tour - RSVP now!​

November 4 - Board of Directors - everyone welcome!

November 6 - AIBD Office Hour (Virtual) - 11:00 am ET - 60 minutes (or so) of open discussion and collaboration (Members Only)

November 17 - National Council of Building Designer Certification (NCBDC) quarterly meeting

RSVP Now! February 2, 2027 - AIBD's Viva Las Pizza Party (In Person) - Las Vegas, NV - 5:30 to 8:00 pm

AIBD Webinars

October 13 - Members Helping Members - 2:00 pm ET - Registering a Residential Design-A Live Walkthrough (1.0 P1 CE)

October 20 - ​High-Performance Homes Team​ - 2:00 p.m. ET

October 27 - CE Watch Party - 2:00 p.m. ET (45 min) - An ADU for U: Accessory Dwelling Unit Design Competition

October 29 - From Site Measurements to CAD in Seconds: A More Efficient Workflow with InnoDraw (1.0 P3 CE)

to November 3 - Members Helping Members - 2:00 pm ET - Making Designer Docs More Client-Friendly (1.0 P1 CE)

to November 12 - 3:00 pm ET - Hiring Your First Employee: What You Need to Know (1.0 P1 CE) - Sponsored by Griffin Resources, LLC​

November 13 - Coffee with Bernie - 10:00 a.m. ET - Creating Where People Live (1.0 Elective CE)

Please support our sponsor:

Training Events

Hosted By AIBD CE Providers

AEC Daily - ​Look for in-person and virtual events.

AIBD 2027 Annual Conference - Save the Dates: July 28-31, 2027 - Williamsburg, VA

Green Home Institute - ​Look for in-person and virtual events.

International Builders Show - February 2-4, 2027 - Registration is open.

NADRA Summit - March 3-5 at The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village. Cape Coral, FL

NAHB Fall Leadership Meeting - October 6-8, 2026, Detroit, MI - Registration is open!​

SelectSIPs Expo and Annual Meeting 2027 - March 8-9, 2027 - Phoenix, AZ - Registration is Open!​

SoftPlan - Virtual & On-Demand Training​

Traditional Building Conference - November 3-4, 2026 - Charleston, SC. Registration is Open​

What We're Up to

AIBD represented at the NAHB Fall Leadership Meeting

AIBD Immediate Past President Ted Hake and Chief Staff Officer Steve Mickley recently represented AIBD at the NAHB Fall Leadership Meeting in Detroit, MI. Serving on key committees like the Custom Home Builders Committee and the Leading Suppliers Council, Ted and Steve ensure that residential designers have a direct voice at the table. Maintaining this strong partnership with the National Association of Home Builders is critical for shaping industry standards, fostering cross-industry collaboration, and keeping our members connected to national housing trends.t

Recent actions by the AIBD Board of Directors

2027 Annual Conference Location: The Board authorized the Institute to finalize contract negotiations for the 2027 conference, setting the Williamsburg Lodge (July 28–31, 2027) as the primary option, with the DoubleTree Hotel designated as the secondary choice.

International Builders' Show Presence: Approval was granted to execute the agreement for a complimentary exhibition booth at the upcoming International Builders' Show, pending the identification of funding sources to cover associated logistical expenses.

Have a triumphant week.

Thank you to our AIBD Corporate Partners. Their generous support champions our profession, and we encourage you to support them in return.

​Cogram​

​GreenHome Institute​

​InnoDraw (NEW!)

​JDS Consulting​

​MiTek,

​

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American Institute of Building Design (AIBD)

The American Institute of Building Design (AIBD) is a professional association that promotes the highest standards of excellence in residential building design. AIBD offers a variety of resources to its members, including continuing education, networking opportunities, and marketing assistance. AIBD is a valuable resource for anyone interested in a career in residential building design. If you want to improve your skills, network with other professionals, and stay up-to-date on the latest trends, AIBD is the perfect organization for you.

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