Presented by Miele
As homeowners’ interest in sustainable design rises, it’s an opportune moment to share a piece of industry advice with your clients: the most environmentally friendly home transformation is a renovation. From planning and materials to kitchens and technology, our Home Renovation Report 2026 reveals that residential renovations are more intentional than ever, focused on longevity design, healthy materials, and future-proofed layouts that allow clients to live in their beloved homes longer.
Continuing the conversation at AD PRO Design Dialogues on September 16, AD PRO Senior Editor Catherine Hong led New York–based architects Michael K. Chen and Elizabeth Graziolo in conversation with Miele’s director of architecture and design development Briana Ryan about the best practices for an efficient, effective, and impactful home renovation. Their secrets to success? Consider both the clients and the planet in your design, from the very first meeting.
Below, we’ve recapped the key takeaways from their AD PRO Design Dialogues conversation.
Have the values conversation early
At the project’s onset, set expectations about its essentials. “At the beginning, we do talk about sustainability, health, and burning fossil fuels in your house, not in a judgy way but in an informative way,” said Chen, founder of architecture and design firm MKCA. “The client is paying you to come with expertise to help them connect the dots. Working with people to translate shared values into a tangible form is so special.” Still, you should be charging for that discovery phase, he emphasized, whether by the hour or with a flat fee based on the estimated time to be spent.
Give tech a human touch
“Balancing a smart home with human-centered touch” is often the biggest challenge for clients to overcome, said Ryan. “Tech needs to be there with purpose. It shouldn’t feel imposing or natural.” However, such discussions are getting easier as homeowners are increasingly interested in healthier building materials and appliances, said Ryan. Eventually, this will have a cumulative effect in lowering these products’ costs, too.
A self-described “evangelist for induction,” Chen recommends electric appliances to all his clients. Similarly, Graziolo, founder principal of Yellow House Architects, is particularly fond of the steam oven for its multifunctionality. “Especially in New York City, where we're managing space and retrofitting storage, one appliance that can serve as many is amazing,” she said. After all, added Chen, “the romance of the flame is a little overplayed.”
Lean into pandemic lessons wisely
Home renovations were accelerated by pandemic space woes, but not all changes deserve to be permanent. While Chen’s idea for an entry handwashing basin didn’t catch on, his laptop stand on the dining room table still reminds him to call faraway friends and family. Multi-use spaces grew during this time, giving the ubiquitous open plan layout yet another boost. But just as dirty kitchens and butlers pantries are on the rise, said Ryan, we’re all looking for space to get away.
“We have been trying to master how to have an open plan and also provide privacy,” said Graziolo. “In multifaceted spaces, like a dining room with a desk that opens to the living room, having sliding doors that disappear” provides welcome separation. With requests for “less visual noise” on an upswing, said Ryan, it solves multiple problems.
