Before the First Cabinet: Designing Kitchens That Survive Permit

Designers spend their careers perfecting what clients see, but some of the most important design decisions happen behind the drywall. This session peels back the layers of the residential wall to reveal foundations, framing, mechanical systems, blocking, insulation and infrastructure that shape every project. Attendees will gain the construction fluency needed to specify with confidence, collaborate more effectively with trades, and create designs that are as buildable as they are beautiful.

Can you identify a hidden building failure before construction begins? In this highly interactive session, attendees will evaluate real kitchen and bathroom details, vote on whether they'll succeed or fail, and discover the building science behind each outcome. Using real projects and forensic case studies, you'll learn how seemingly minor design decisions affect durability, moisture management, indoor air quality, comfort, and long-term performance.

We'll explore how intentional collaboration between designers and technology partners enables seamless integration, where controls disappear, systems anticipate needs, and design integrity remains uncompromised. From material choices to spatial planning, discover how technology can be thoughtfully embedded to create environments that are not only beautiful but intuitive and deeply livable.