I love technology and I love applying it to whatever is difficult.  

I wouldn't disregard modern heat pumps without real data.One caveat: Installing gas into a home that doesn't have it will significantly drive up your initial cost.  

Changing around floor plans for more modern flow. 

One buyer wanted me to rebuild a chimney because it wasn't up to modern spec.  

My day job is to manage the engineering operations at a large technology company.

Fantastic technology company.

I'm hoping for your feedback with the intention of discovering and validating some of your common pain points (if any at all) in dealing with current technologies.

Here's an example that is contempo, clean, simple, metal with wood (for continuity to the floor), and it mounts in the same way as your existing balustrade:https://www.hubush.com/modern-stair-railing-ideas/...The hanging fixture examples might be a bit ornate for your architecture.

Email technology as it exists today, CAN NOT RELIABLY produce a Return Receipt. 

Also, whatever i can do to help others in return i am very experienced in technology and the health an fitness fields!