The Forever Home: Designing Houses to Last a Lifetime

Most people live in homes that become dysfunctional when their family circumstances change, whether it is suddenly having to work from home, new mobility challenges, or an unexpected in-law arriving on the scene. It doesn't have to be that way. Houses can be designed to accommodate family needs now and in the future.

Interviews with 20 homeowners and their designers illustrate flexible solutions to a variety of living arrangements. Combined with photographs and floor plans, the case studies represent different perspectives, from young families to divorcees, single-parent households, and retirees.

Tips at the end of each chapter address issues such as key lifestyle questions to ask before designing a forever house, where not to skimp, and how to plan spaces for double and triple duty. Designing an adaptable home has economic, environmental, and emotional rewards. With smart planning, it's possible to build a beloved house that can be passed through the generations.