Platforms for life
Platforms for Life (P4L): The convergence of 1. Product – high quality turn-key housing product; 2. Platform – adaptable and fully integrated for 4 to 18 story timber buildings; and 3. Process – scalable automation process technology with end-to-end parametric software engine
Sector - Focus area
Buildings - Building Design and Construction Innovation
Status
Completed
Partners
Industrial Research Assistance Program
Eco Canada
Investments in Forest Industry Transformation
Clean BC
Clean Foundation
Ngen Supercluster
The Bank for Canadian Entrepreneurs
Fund
Energy Innovation Program
Year
2019
EIP Contribution
$ 3,000,000
Project Total
$ 7,099,000
Location
Vancouver, British Columbia
Find out more
Lead Proponent
Intelligent City
Project Background
In this project, Intelligent City developed and commercialized Platforms for Life (P4L), a breakthrough carbon-neutral urban housing solution based on a uniquely scalable and adaptable technology platform. P4L presents a performance, cost and value transformation in the construction industry.
Results
Throughout this project, Intelligent City merged multiple technologies that have previously not been applied to the construction industry and housing market. With the support of BESC, they reached commercialization of their advanced manufacturing automation technology, prefabricated mass timber building systems, and end-to-end software packages. These technologies build from manufacturing-aware and platform-based design methods. P4L incorporates new robotic assembly processes, parametric design, and renewable materials for use in 4 to 18 storey urban housing.
Benefits to Canada
With this solution, housing could be delivered at scale with a triple-carbon-win: The reduction of embodied GHG emissions, operational GHG emissions, and behavioral GHG emissions through healthier urban densification – bringing Canada closer to the goal of carbon-neutral cities. This is particularly important in the coming decade as the rate of urbanization continues to rise, amidst a housing shortage and with more buildings constructed every year.
Intelligent City hired highly skilled staff for research and development, which will in turn enhance the innovation capabilities of the Canadian construction and manufacturing sectors.
Next steps
Intelligent City is currently delivering its first project at scale, helping to create a 9-storey mass timber Passive House building in Vancouver, BC in collaboration with BC Housing and the Vancouver Native Housing Society. The company is working with over a dozen clients on other projects, many of which are planned to be constructed in 2024 and 2025. The company is also actively planning its expansion with larger facilities in BC and ON.
Technology in Action
A look inside Intelligent City’s pilot plant producing mass timber structural floor panels and wall panels.
In Their Words
“BESC has helped us leap-frog from a small start-up to a fully functional technology innovator working at the intersection of robotics, software, and mass timber building construction. Through their support, we were able to mature our technology, commission our pilot plant in Delta, BC, and collaborate with many other companies and clients throughout Canada. The industrialization and productization of the construction industry is a key element in helping Canada to address housing affordability and supply, and achieve economic growth and carbon emission reductions at the same time.”
Oliver Lang, CEO and Co-Founder
Page details
- Date modified: