Real Estate and Property Awards 2026 At the heart of 3Gen Living is a simple question: “how can we create housing that serves people at different stages of life without sacrificing comfort, independence or quality?” The answer is embedded in the company’s name. For example, 3Gen Living was conceived around changing housing needs across generations. From younger adults searching for attainable housing to families looking for flexible space, to older adults who want to remain independent and age in place. Founder and President Susan Ihrig brought an unusual breadth of experience to that challenge. Her background spans mobile-home and RV communities, independent and assisted living, property operations, constructionrelated business development, and senior housing. Earlier in her career, she managed a portfolio encompassing mobile-home and RV parks, and other residential properties, gaining firsthand experience in how housing design, community planning, and operations intersect. That experience helped shape 3Gen Living’s approach to tiny homes. Rather than viewing compact housing as a novelty, the company saw it as a practical response to several converging issues: housing affordability, an aging population, sustainability, multigenerational families, and the desire for greater flexibility in where and how people live. Designing a successful tiny home requires more than shrinking a conventional floor plan. In fact, every decision matters. Storage must be intentional; circulation needs to feel natural; windows and sightlines can make compact interiors feel substantially larger; kitchens and bathrooms must remain genuinely functional; and the home’s layout needs to accommodate real life rather than simply photograph well. 3Gen Living’s work has included park-model RVs, often described as “tiny homes on wheels”, of less than 400 square feet. The company recognized their potential to serve far more than the traditional recreational market including resort cottages, guest accommodations, and flexible residential applications. California’s evolving approach to Accessory Dwelling Units further reinforced the opportunity. ADUs can provide families with additional housing choices while making better use of property they already own. For some households, that may mean a separate space for an adult child. For others, it can mean accommodating parents or grandparents nearby while allowing them to retain vital privacy and independence. That is where the “3Gen” philosophy becomes tangible. Compact housing also presents an opportunity to rethink the systems behind the walls. 3Gen Living has explored integrating solar power, energy-efficient systems, smart-home technology, living walls, and infrastructure that supports aging in place. The objective isn’t technology for technology’s sake, it is to use innovation where it can make a home easier, safer, or more economical to live in. The company’s background in senior housing adds another dimension to that thinking. A home that works beautifully for a healthy 40-year-old may become challenging at 70 or 80. Therefore, thoughtful planning can help extend the useful life of a residence and support independence as needs inevitably change. Sustainability is similarly practical as smaller homes inherently require fewer building materials and less space to heat and cool. Combining an efficient footprint with energyconscious construction and renewable-energy For 3Gen Living, the tiny-home movement has never simply been about making a house smaller. It is about making every square foot work harder and creating attractive, attainable homes that respond to the way people are actually living today. That philosophy has now earned 3Gen Living recognition from BUILD Magazine in the Real Estate and Property Awards 2026. options can further reduce both environmental impact and long-term operating costs. The result is a philosophy in which affordability isn’t measured solely by purchase price. True affordability includes what a home costs to maintain, operate, and live in over time. 3Gen Living’s broader development concepts demonstrate that the company has always considered the relationship between the individual home and the community surrounding it. Plans developed for resorts and active-adult environments have incorporated outdoor recreation, community gathering spaces, wellness activities, gardens, hospitality, and opportunities for social connection. After decades of experience and innovation in Southern California, 3Gen Living has moved its flagship property to Texas, bringing its experience, ideas, and commitment to thoughtful, attainable housing to a market where space, growth, and opportunity provide an exciting foundation for what comes next. Receiving BUILD Magazine’s Excellence Award in Tiny Home Manufacturing 2026 – Southern California is therefore especially meaningful for 3Gen Living. It acknowledges not only a product category, but an approach developed from decades of experience in housing, hospitality, construction and senior living. And while this award celebrates the company’s Southern California roots, the 3Gen Living story is entering a new chapter. 3Gen’s perspective is important because housing is ultimately about more than buildings. It is about creating places where people can live well. Contact: Susan Ihrig Company: 3Gen Living Website: https://3genliving.com/ BUILD Excellence Award in Tiny Home Manufacturing 2026 – Southern California
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