Blueprint for Growth: Innovation in Housing – Details, episodes & analysis

Season 1 Episode 6 - Canada Leading the Way: Innovating for a Sustainable and Resilient Housing Future

We look at the future of housing innovation in Canada, with a focus on how technology—especially AI and digital solutions—can help tackle the housing crisis. Experts Brey Tucker and Tony Yang break down the evolution of construction practices, the challenges posed by workforce skill gaps, and the game-changing potential of digital twins and BIM. They also highlight the need for stronger collaboration between academia and industry to drive innovation and boost housing production.

For more information on DIGITAL’s Housing Growth Innovation Program, visit DIGITAL's Housing Growth Innovation Lab

Guests

Brey Tucker - Tucker Technology Consulting and McElhanney Engineering

Tony Yang - Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of British Columbia

Sources

The Best Kept Secret in Construction - Tedx Talks

AI in Construction - CBS News Miami

Robots Building Homes - CBC The National

The Power of Digital Twins in Construction - Shawn Kanungo YouTube Channel

Season 1 Episode 2 - Revolutionizing Construction: New Approaches to Building the Future

In this episode, we explore the challenges and innovations in the construction phase of housing development. We focus on solutions like offsite construction, AI technologies and sustainable practices. We look at key industry hurdles such as labor shortages and regulatory delays, while stressing the importance of collaboration and knowledge sharing among stakeholders to speed up housing production across Canada.

For more information on DIGITAL’s Housing Growth Innovation Program, visit DIGITAL's Housing Growth Innovation Lab

Guests

Chris Hill - President of BCollective

Matt Farrell - Cloudpermit - Project link:  InspectorAI

Sources

Labour Shortage - CTV Your Morning BC

Prefab Homes - Global News BC

Mycelium - Inside Edition

Auto-Review Permitting - City News

Season 1 Episode 4 - The Future of Housing: Innovations in Pre-Construction and Fabrication

Summary

In this episode of Blueprint for Growth, we explore how digital technology and innovation are reshaping housing development, with a focus on pre-construction and procurement. We dive into industry challenges like supply chain disruptions, the push for sustainability, and how digital tools like BuildBlox are streamlining operations. Experts share insights on the power of prefabrication, modular construction, and advanced tech to tackle housing shortages and boost efficiency across the sector.

For more information on DIGITAL’s Housing Growth Innovation Program, visit DIGITAL's Housing Growth Innovation Lab

Guests

Mike Kennedy - CEO of Green Metrics Technology Corp Project link: BuildBlox

Rabih Zahnan - Managing Director and SVP of construction at Wesgroup 

Sources

Modular Prefab Homes - Global News BC

Offsite Manufacturing - The B1M Youtube Channel

Season 1 episode 3 - Tech-Driven Design: Revolutionizing Engineering and Housing Development

In this episode of Blueprint for Growth, we take a deep dive into the challenges of housing development, with a focus on design and engineering. From navigating regulations to fostering collaboration among key players, we break down the obstacles that shape this crucial phase. We also explore innovative building methods like mass timber and modular construction, highlighting their potential to make housing more sustainable and efficient. Plus, we discuss how empowering homeowners is playing a bigger role in increasing density and expanding middle housing options. 

For more information on DIGITAL’s Housing Growth Innovation Program, visit DIGITAL's Housing Growth Innovation Lab

Guests

Yehia Madkour - Architect and Director of Innovation at Perkins & Will

Alkarim Devani - Co-founder of RNDSQR and mddl

Sources

Mass Timber - Naturally Wood YouTube Channel

Bill 44 - CBC Vancouver Ravi Kahlon

season 1 Episode 2 - Rethinking Housing: Changes in Planning, Feasibility and Investment

In this episode of Blueprint for Growth, we dive into how technology is reshaping housing development. We explore the power of generative design in architecture, showing how AI can simplify planning and improve compliance. We also take a look at addy and their innovative platform, one that makes real estate investment more accessible to everyone. Throughout the discussion, we highlight the impact of community collaboration and the role of technology in expanding housing opportunities, paving the way for a more sustainable future.

For more information on DIGITAL’s Housing Growth Innovation Program, visit DIGITAL's Housing Growth Innovation Lab

Guests

Dr. Ben Coorey - Founder at Archistar Project link:  Malahat Project: 3D Generative Design for Master Planning

Steve Jagger - Co-founder of addy

Sources

FOX 10 News Phoenix

Beavis Wealth YouTube Channel

Season 1 Episode 1 - Building the Future: How Innovation and Collaboration Are Reshaping Housing

 In our first episode, we dive into British Columbia’s housing crisis and the urgent need for creative solutions and collaboration. We discuss the challenges facing the housing sector, the impact of public-private partnerships and ways we can encourage innovation. The DASH initiative- that’s Digitally Accelerated Standardized Housing - serves as a prime example of how teamwork can drive progress. It also highlights the crucial role of education and workforce development in construction. Wrapping up, we take a look at the future of housing in B.C., with a focus on digital technologies and prefab construction.

For more information on DIGITAL’s Housing Growth Innovation Program, visit DIGITAL's Housing Growth Innovation Lab

Guests

Helen Goodland - Principal and Head of Research & Innovation at Scius Advisory

Scott Kaplanis - Managing Partner at Ground Break Ventures

Sources

CBC British Columbia

Global BC

CTV News - Tyler Meredith

#podcast #housing

British Columbia is experiencing an unprecedented housing crisis. While addressing various aspects of the housing supply chain is essential, no single approach can fully solve the challenges we face in scaling housing production. So, what's the blueprint for growth?
 
In November 2023, DIGITAL — Canada's Global Innovation Cluster for digital technologies — launched its Housing Growth Innovation Program with support from the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs. The program brings together collaborative teams of industry leaders to accelerate technology-driven approaches that are driving real, tangible growth for British Columbia's housing production sector.
 
Amy Vilis, Director of Housing Growth Innovation at DIGITAL, chats with innovators doing groundbreaking work within DIGITAL's Housing Growth Innovation Program to develop and implement technology-based solutions within British Columbia's housing sector across the full scale of end-to-end production. These conversations showcase how ideas are making it into the real world where they can become comprehensive, viable and, best of all, achievable solutions to accelerate housing production for British Columbians.

British Columbia is experiencing an unprecedented housing crisis. While addressing various aspects of the housing supply chain is essential, no single approach can fully solve the challenges we face in scaling housing production. So, what's the blueprint for growth?
 
In November 2023, DIGITAL — Canada's Global Innovation Cluster for digital technologies — launched its Housing Growth Innovation Program with support from the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs. The program brings together collaborative teams of industry leaders to accelerate technology-driven approaches that are driving real, tangible growth for British Columbia's housing production sector.
 
Amy Vilis, Director of Housing Growth Innovation at DIGITAL, chats with innovators doing groundbreaking work within DIGITAL's Housing Growth Innovation Program to develop and implement technology-based solutions within British Columbia's housing sector across the full scale of end-to-end production. These conversations showcase how ideas are making it into the real world where they can become comprehensive, viable and, best of all, achievable solutions to accelerate housing production for British Columbians.

Season 2 Episode 7 - Building Communities in B.C. with Minister Christine Boyle

In this episode of Blueprint for Growth: Innovation and Housing, host Amy Vilis sits down with the Hon. Christine Boyle.

This conversation explores the innovative approaches to housing development in British Columbia, focusing on the integration of digital technology, partnerships, and streamlined processes to enhance housing delivery. Minister Christine Boyle shares insights from her journey in local government to her current role, emphasizing the importance of community-centered housing solutions and collaboration across sectors. The discussion highlights key initiatives like the Building Permit Hub and DASH, which aim to improve efficiency and affordability in housing construction.

#InnovationInHousing #ModernMethodsOfConstruction #MMC #DigitalHousing #HousingDelivery #WorkforceTransformation #IndigenousLedHousing #PublicPrivateCollaboration #Digitalbackbone

Season 2 Episode 6 - DASH Transforming housing delivery through digital, data and design standards

In this episode of Blueprint for Growth: Innovation and Housing, host Amy Vilis explores how DASH: Digitally Accelerated Standardized Housing is transforming the Canadian housing lifecycle through digital standards, modular design, and advanced technology. 

Joined by Esther de Vos, Executive Director of Research at BC Housing, and Franck Murat, architect and senior advisor at Aliova Consulting, the discussion highlights how DASH unites prefabrication, BIM, open data, regulatory streamlining, and permit-ready workflows to make housing faster, fairer, and more affordable. From connecting regulators and builders through shared digital models to creating long-term data-driven management systems, Esther and Franck show how collaboration, standardized tools, and open frameworks are building a scalable foundation for a more efficient, resilient, and inclusive housing sector across Canada.

Sources:

BC Housing  Introducing DASH - Digitally Accelerated Standardized Housing

#InnovationInHousing #ModernMethodsOfConstruction #MMC #DigitalHousing #HousingDelivery #WorkforceTransformation #IndigenousLedHousing #PublicPrivateCollaboration #Digitalbackbone