A look at twenty homes that have been designed to accommodate ever-changing resident needs, and designed to last a lifetime.

Most people live in homes that become dysfunctionally designed 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. But houses can be designed, or redesigned, to accommodate these changing home needs, both 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 ofeach 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 house that can be passed on to the next generation.By Boyce ThompsonBoyce Thompson is the author ofAnatomy of a Great HomeandThe New New Home. The former editor ofBuildermagazine and founding editor ofResidential Architectmagazine, Thompson has spent more than 30 years writing about home design and construction and jurying design competitions. He lives inBethesda, Maryland.209 color and b/w imagesDesigning Houses to Last a Lifetime209 color and b/w images