The Great Housing Reset: Navigating the Housing Slump [Monday Minute]


January 12, 2026, Edition

Ignite your mind and improve the way you are #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

World’s tallest church tops out after 140 years under construction

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After more than 140 years of anticipation, Barcelona’s iconic Sagrada Familia has officially claimed its title as the tallest church on Earth. With the final piece now set atop its central spire, Antoni Gaudí's masterpiece has reached a staggering 172.5 meters, marking a historic milestone in architectural history.

Source: ynetnews

Inspiration: 24 Fireplace Ideas for Your Coziest Indoor Season Ever

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The holidays might be over, but the season for cozying up is just beginning. From stunning Calacatta Verde marble and seashell-covered surrounds to clever ways to style a non-functioning fireplace with vintage books or blooms, use these designer-approved tips to inspire your clients.

Source: House Beautiful

The Great Housing Reset: Navigating the October 2025 Housing Slump

In 2026, economists are already predicting a 14% surge in home sales, making this current "cooling" period a perfect time for a business reset. The latest press release from the Census Bureau may support that forecast.

While the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau and HUD shows a general deceleration, there is a surprising 5.4% rise in single-family housing starts that could be the key to your firm's resilience this year.

Source: AIBD

Nuts & Bolts

Kanban scheduling: everything you need to know

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Kanban (看板) is the Japanese word for “signboard,” which means it’s a “visual signal.” Its most common form manifests as a Kanban board with Kanban cards at the top, showing individual tasks grouped by status.

Source: Monday.com

Highlights

CPBD Anniversaries

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

A special congratulations to...
Martin D. Bush, CPBD (OK), for celebrating 30 years!

James Allison, CBPD (TX), Lawrence H. Bowen IV, CPBD, PEA ( AZ), William A. Lytal, CPBD (TX), Bob R. Ochieng, CPBD (MD), and Dinesh D. Shah, MBA, P.E., RAS, CPBD, NCBDC, AIBD, Sr. PTC (TX), who are all celebrating 5 years!

🎊🎉

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

Please support our sponsor:

Murus high-performance building enclosures simplify designing sustainable, energy-efficient, and net-zero residential and light commercial buildings. For more information, call 570-549-2100 or visit www.murus.com.

Workshops & Gatherings

AIBD Chapters, Boards, and Councils

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

January 13 - North East Ohio Chapter (in person) - Lunch & Learn - 11:00 am ET - North Jackson, Ohio

January 19 - Central Colorado Chapter (in person) - Walter S White Home Tour - 12:30 pm MT - Colorado Springs, Colorado

January 21 - Eastern Shore Chapter (Virtual) - 3:30 pm ET

February 4 - Board of Directors (Virtual) 4:00 pm ET - Members First - Connect with your board members and share your insights.

February 17 - National Council of Building Designer Certification (Virtual) 11:00 am ET.

February 17 - AIBD Pizza Party (In Person) - 5:30 pm ET - Orlando, Florida - Please RSVP

AIBD Webinars

January 9 - Coffee with Bernie - 10:00 a.m. ET - Cost-Effective Build and Design Ideas (1.0 P3 -CE)

January 20 - High-Performance Homes Team - The underlying principles of multi-layered, ventilated walls. - 2:00 p.m. ET (1.0 P4 CE)

January 27 - CE Watch Party - 2:00 p.m. ET - SoftPlan: What's New in Version 2026 | Part 1s (1.0 P3 CE)

Training Events

Hosted By AIBD CE Providers

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

AirVent Attic Ventilation: Ask the Expert™ Seminar Schedule - In-person events - Schedule & Registration

AIBD Connect - Colorado - May 1, Castle Rock, CO. Schedule & Registration.

AIBD Connect - Florida - January 16, Sanford, FL. Schedule & Registration.

Chief Architect Virtual Training- January 7-16, 2025

AIBD Annual Conference - July 29-August 1, 2026 - Reserve your hotel room

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

SoftPlan - Virtual training dates

SBCA - Components Craft - February 24-25, 2026 - Austin, TX. - Information

Traditional Building Conference - March 24-25, 2026 - Salem, MA - Registration opens January 6

What We're Up to

AIBD Board of Directors - January 7, 2026

The AIBD Board of Directors' monthly meeting centered on creating a "Members First" agenda model. This approach ensures that member ideas, concerns, and celebrations remain the Institute's top priority.

Operational Updates: Executive Director Steve Mickley provided comprehensive financial and operations reports to ensure continued organizational health.

Committee Progress: Leadership from the ARDA, Membership, and Education committees shared updates on ongoing initiatives and upcoming goals.

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. Atlas Roofing, Chief Architect, Cogram, GreenHome Institute, JDS Consulting, National Association of Home Builders, RL Mace Universal Design Institute, Shelter, and SoftPlan Systems,


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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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