Building Tomorrow is a special collaboration between Marketplace and This Old House Radio Hour that asks a simple but urgent question: how do we build homes that can last the next hundred years? From wildfire rebuilds to factory-built housing, this hour explores how new materials, new methods, and new ideas about community are reshaping the future of housing in America. Hosted by Jenn Largesse and Marketplace’s David Brancaccio, the episode blends reporting, lived experience, and hard science to show what’s possible right now.

In this episode you’ll learn about:

* A massive prefab factory where homes are built like cars on an assembly line.
* A disaster research campus where engineers crash-test houses against hurricanes, hail, and wildfire.
* A cutting-edge microfactory using software and small factories to build homes faster, locally, and at scale.
* Touring a pioneering cross-laminated timber home built as a living case study in low-carbon construction.
* How a 100-year-old house is transformed into a net-zero, future-ready home.
* A tiny-house community redefining retirement, aging, and what “home” really means.

Note: In the segment featuring Aloe Blacc's pre fabricated home, the exterior is made of cement fiber but the interior is not. The home's fire resilience comes from a combination of steel framing, fiber cement siding, and triple paned windows.

Learn how to get rid of stubborn smoke odor in a home. Restoration expert Darren Hudema breaks down how to ID the type of smoke you’re dealing with, what you can safely tackle yourself, and when it’s time to call a certified pro We visit comedian Lewis Black’s childhood bungalow, where basement ping-pong rivalries, radio as a lifeline, and his family’s creative streak shaped the person he became. Then Cheap Old Houses returns with two sub-$30K listings, breaking down what’s charming, what’s alarming, and what’s realistically fixable. Finally, Zach shares a deceptively simple favorite tool: a toothbrush, for cleaning glue squeeze-out from detailed trim before it hardens.

In this episode you will learn:
* How to safely start using gas fireplaces you have not turned on in years. (9:02)
* How often key home systems should be inspected and where to find a seasonal home maintenance checklist. (12:08)
* What to do when window and shutter work leaves new drywall cracks, damaged corner bead, and rust bleed-through. (14:16)
* How to replace a stuck drain on a pedestal sink and when removing the sink (or replacing it) is the most practical path forward. (19:38)
* Which air-conditioning options work best for older, historically detailed homes without existing ductwork, plus the pros and cons of different options. (25:35)

All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-This Old House Radio Hour! — That’s (877) 864-7460.

With even colder days ahead, Jody Gardner from Climate Control Kansas City shares how you can protect your pipes from bursting, and the technology you can use to make sure a burst pipe does not flood your home. Chef Roy Choi walks us through the first house his immigrant family owned in Orange County and how a bustling, fermentation-heavy kitchen shaped his senses, his privacy, and ultimately his path as a chef. Finally, sleep expert Dr. Michael Bruce shares simple bedroom upgrades that improve rest by working with your body’s five senses.

In this episode you’ll learn:

*Whether running your central HVAC fan can really replace a bathroom exhaust fan, and why moisture control still matters for mold prevention. (8:31)
*Why a poorly sloped shower floor can’t be fixed from the surface, plus smarter options for dealing with staining and discolored grout. (14:13)
*What it means when an outlet still shows power after the breaker is off, and how to safely verify electrical work with the right testing tools. (20:28)
*How to insulate a drafty sunroom to make it more comfortable year-round. (26:20)

All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-This Old House Radio Hour! — That’s (877) 864-7460.