Home Innovation Insights

Insider insights on what's going on in the home building industry.

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J. Michael Luzier
February 14, 2024

Fire is Catching at Home Innovation Research Labs

Home Innovation Research Labs is achieving a significant milestone in its commitment to advancing product safety with the completion of a state-of-the-art fire testing lab. Scheduled for an official opening in May 2024, this facility represents a substantial investment in research and development to enhance the safety and fire resistance of building materials and systems.

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J. Michael Luzier
June 25, 2014

A 50-Year Legacy of Innovation

Having just marked our 50th year in business last week, it seems like a perfect time to look back on some of the key home building innovations our team has helped to gain acceptance in the mainstream by eliminating barriers to market penetration. While there's probably no one builder who uses all these innovations, I bet most builders use at least one on a regular basis. We're proud of that legacy.

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J. Michael Luzier
May 30, 2014

Conquer Conservative Builder Syndrome: Get Tested!

Product failures happen. Because they do, builders tend to stick with the “tried-and-true” building materials, believing that wise builders don’t get fooled by new product claims. So how do new products break through? Consistently, our research shows the most important factor in a builder’s decision to try a new product is confidence that the manufacturer has done the proper testing and evaluation on the product. Have your products been tested?

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J. Michael Luzier
February 6, 2014

Innovation is Our ROI

We are an enigma -- a for-profit operating as an independent subsidiary of a non-profit. At the same time, our by-laws outline a corporate mission of research and development aimed at increasing the affordability, and improving the quality and performance of homes nationwide. Our mission appears to belie our for-profit organizing principle, but it actually offers insight into barriers to innovation within the residential construction industry. Find out how we help clients navigate those challenges.

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J. Michael Luzier
February 21, 2013

What's in a Name? More Than You Think!

And I thought it was tough naming my four kids -- that was nothing compared to renaming/rebranding our company! Find out a little more about the process that resulted in the NAHB Research Center becoming Home Innovation Research Labs. 

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J. Michael Luzier
July 26, 2012

Rockin' The Suburbs

Suburbia, which has taken its share of criticism from planners, is still the preferred housing location of a majority of households, according to Harvard's latest state of housing report. Some builders and developers are quieting the suburban critics by doing it right.

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J. Michael Luzier
June 28, 2012

It Takes a Research Center

Moving new technologies into the marketplace is a difficult and daunting task. Usually, the risks are perceived by the private sector to be too excessive given the potential rewards, and opportunities to advance technologies aren’t pursued. That's where we come in.

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Author Bio
Michael Luzier
J. Michael Luzier
President & Chief Executive Officer

An executive with over 20 years of experience in the home building industry who has initiated a significant expansion and integration of Home Innovation Research Labs capabilities and services toward the goal of making the company the premier housing technology research and consulting firm in the world.