WIRED and Architectural Digest team up on The Future of Home series

In short: WIRED and Architectural Digest are publishing a joint series about how homes are changing, and what people may want from them next.

What's going on

WIRED and Architectural Digest have teamed up on a special set of stories called “The Future of Home.” The project looks at what could make homes feel comfortable, affordable, and safe in the coming years.

The editors say the idea starts with a simple question: what do we want from our homes, and what do we need. They point to pressures many people already feel, like higher material costs, extreme weather, and new technology showing up in everyday life.

One topic is the “smart home,” meaning devices in your house that use sensors and software to react automatically (like a thermostat that learns your routine). WIRED’s editors argue smart features will keep spreading, even for people who do not actively seek them out. But they also say the dream of a home that smoothly adjusts to your preferences is still not fully here.

Another focus is climate and resilience. The series highlights homes designed for risks like rising tides, plus a renewed interest in local, simpler building materials such as bamboo, compressed earth, and fire-resistant timber.

The collaboration also looks at aging at home and privacy. One example discussed is using an always-on microphone to monitor an older parent, which can feel helpful but also invasive, like having a security camera pointed inward.

What to watch

The editors describe a growing push and pull: more automation on one side, and a desire for calmer, lower-tech spaces on the other. Affordability also shows up as a major concern, which could shape which “future home” ideas actually spread.

Source: Wired