Imagine ending a long day in a space designed to help you reset — sunlight filtering through oversized windows, a quiet moment in a sauna before dinner with family. Or picture a home where grandparents, adult children, and young kids can live together comfortably, with room for privacy and connection in equal measure.
That is the new vision of a "designed-for-life" home, the forever home.
In 2026, the homes people aspire to aren’t defined by square footage alone. They’re defined by how well they support the people inside them. The 2026 Virtual Concept Home explores this evolution through two distinct concepts: the Restorative Retreat and the Holistic Retreat.
Content written by Madison Frye, Digital Marketing Strategist at Fischer Homes
When thinking about what a forever home looks like, there isn't one simple answer.
For some homebuyers, the idea is both inviting and energizing. It supports movement, recovery, and daily rituals that prioritize well-being. For others, the dream feels like a foundation for their future, comfort, and security as they grow. It offers flexibility and privacy while maintaining enough space for multiple generations to live comfortably under one roof. The modern forever home is no longer defined by size or spectacle alone. It is defined by what a family values most and how a home supports that life every day.
That belief shaped the 2026 Virtual Concept Home, created by Fischer Homes in partnership with Zonda. Rather than presenting a single aspirational model, we developed two distinct versions of the home, with the idea of "intentionally designed to live well." The Restorative Retreat centers on wellness and recovery. The Holistic Retreat focuses on multi-generational comfort and adaptability.
Together, they reflect two powerful directions shaping the future of home design.
The decision to create two separate retreats is intentional.
Buyers are considering how natural light affects their energy and wellness. They are paying attention to materials, air quality, and spaces that allow them to reset after long workdays. The home has become a daily wellness environment, not just a place to put your head down.
Rather than blending these ideas into one generalized concept, we chose to explore them independently and push each further. The Restorative Retreat shows what happens when wellness drives architecture. The Holistic Retreat explores how adaptability and long-term living can shape the layout from the start.
Both are rooted in how people live today and how they will live tomorrow.
The Restorative Retreat treats wellness as a design framework rather than a feature list.
The exterior presents a grounded, architectural presence. Deeper siding tones, strong rooflines, and layered materials create a sense of retreat from the outside world. The home feels intentional and protective.
Inside, natural light is carefully managed to support daily rhythm. Materials are warm and tactile. Wood, stone, and thoughtful lighting create an environment that feels restorative without feeling too stark.
At the center of the home is a dedicated wellness suite that includes a sauna and a cold plunge ice bath. Positioned intentionally, these spaces support contrast therapy and recovery as part of everyday life. They are integrated into the flow of the home rather than added as afterthoughts.
The primary bath reinforces this idea. A freestanding soaking tub is framed by expansive windows overlooking greenery. The layout allows space to slow down. Generous showers and layered lighting transform routine into ritual.
The kitchen and gathering areas are equally intentional. Sightlines extend toward the outdoors, reinforcing connections to nature. Living spaces are open yet proportioned to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Outdoors, the wellness story continues. The pool includes in-water loungers designed for a pause. A fireplace anchors the patio and creates visual balance. Landscaping is structured and controlled, reinforcing the calm the home provides.
In the Restorative Retreat, wellness shapes the architecture itself. It influences layout, materiality, and experience.
If the Restorative Retreat prioritizes personal recovery, the Holistic Retreat prioritizes collective resilience.
The exterior feels welcoming and layered. Light brick is paired with complementary siding and dark window frames to create balance and warmth. Inside, the plan is organized around flexibility. This home anticipates full households and changing needs over time.
Dedicated suites provide independence for extended family members while keeping shared living spaces central and accessible. Flexible rooms adapt easily from office to guest room to hobby space. The natural layout and flow of the home reduce congestion even when the home is busy.
The kitchen acts as an anchor point in the home. A substantial island supports daily life in all its forms, from meal preparation to homework to conversation. Adjacent living areas allow multiple activities to happen simultaneously without conflict.
This retreat also includes a sauna and cold plunge, integrated in a way that supports both individual and shared wellness. In this version, health is part of family life rather than a private escape.
Outdoor spaces are layered intentionally. Distinct seating zones allow different groups to use the space at once. The yard supports both large gatherings and quiet evenings.
The Holistic Retreat is the perfect demonstration that adaptability does not require compromise. It shows how well thought-out zoning and planning can support privacy, connection, and longevity within the same footprint.
The 2026 Virtual Concept Home was made possible through collaboration with industry leaders who helped bring this vision to life.
In addition to Fischer Homes and Zonda, partners include Pittsburgh Paints, James Hardie, Alarm.com, MasterBrand Cabinets, Tacoma Energy, Kwikset, Builder Backed, and Latham.
These partnerships ensure that innovation is grounded in real-world solutions. From exterior durability to smart home integration and cabinetry craftsmanship, each partner contributes to making the concept both aspirational and attainable.
The 2026 Virtual Concept Home redefines what it means to live well. Through the Restorative Retreat and the Holistic Retreat, we explore two powerful responses to how families are evolving — one is centered on wellness, and the other on adaptability and layered living.
Together, they reflect a broader shift in what modern buyers value most. The forever home of tomorrow will be less about excess and more about thoughtful intention. It will support recovery, foster connection, and evolve alongside the people who live there.
It’s a future already beginning to take shape.
Intentionally designed to live well.
Step inside this personal retreat, where routine becomes ritual, and spaces are experiential.