Housing Growth Innovation Lab
Harnessing data-driven digital innovation to help grow B.C.’s housing production capacity.
Paving the way for solutions with mission-driven innovation
Addressing the housing supply chain requires a multifaceted approach, as no single solution can resolve the challenges in scaling housing production. The Housing Growth Innovation (HGI) Program contributes by supporting efforts to develop smarter, faster, and more sustainable homes. This initiative is driven by a clear, results-oriented mission: deploy technology, unite industry leaders, and scale sustainable housing that meets today’s needs while building for the future. The goal is to increase housing production, leverage advanced technology, equip and expand the workforce, stimulate local economies, and maintain affordability and sustainability. Housing transformation begins here.
B.C.’s housing crisis is complex, and we’re tackling it head-on. Mission-Driven Innovation (MDI) is our blueprint for real change—a DIGITAL-specific framework designed to address large societal challenges like housing. By fostering collaboration and innovation across the industry, MDI helps create scalable, impactful solutions. Uniting industries, communities, and leaders, MDI uses cutting-edge technology and strategic partnerships to drive smarter, faster, and more sustainable housing. The objective is clear: ensure every community in B.C. has the tools to build the housing it needs.
Download as PDF.
Introducing DIGITAL
In a time when innovative housing solutions are essential, our deploy and scale strategy ensures bold ideas translate into real-world impact. But how do we ensure these innovations make an impact across industries and communities? By combining commercialization, IP development and knowledge transfer, we contribute to solutions that can extend beyond B.C.
DIGITAL unites academia, businesses, community leaders and government agencies to confront housing’s biggest challenges. Our collaborative model—focused on Canadian IP creation and results-driven co-investment—unlocks the potential for Canadian industries to lead in the digital age.
Housing Growth Innovation Program
Our Housing Growth Innovation (HGI) Program is designed to contribute to accelerating housing production in B.C. by focusing on three strategic areas. These priorities drive collaboration, experimentation, and innovative construction methods, all aimed at increasing housing production and boosting B.C.’s economy.
The program is structured around three key components:
- Housing Growth Innovation Lab: This lab is the engine of innovation, bringing together stakeholders from various sectors to foster open collaboration and experimentation. It shapes new ideas and approaches that redefine housing development.
- Innovation Design Workshops: These workshops take bold ideas and turn them into practical solutions. By facilitating collaboration and problem-solving, they ensure that innovation translates into real-world benefits for every region in B.C.
- Mission Innovation Projects: This project portfolio focuses on advancing housing design, production, and construction. By testing new methods and exploring innovative solutions, these projects aim to address barriers that slow housing production.
Mapping End-to-End Housing Production
Building homes isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. Achieving our housing goals demands more than good intentions—it requires a well-defined strategy that addresses every phase of production. By mapping out the entire journey, we can identify systemic improvements, prioritize critical projects, and allocate resources with precision.
Our End-to-End Housing Production Framework addresses this need. Developed in collaboration with industry leaders, it offers a standardized approach that simplifies the complex housing landscape, from single-family homes to high-rises. It fosters clear communication and collaboration across the board.
Download FrameworkShowcasing Our Mission Innovation Projects
-
Revolutionizing Housing Design & Approval: 3D Generative Design for Master Planning
Combining technological innovation with a Nation-led approach to master community planning.
Project Collaborators: -
Mass Timber Home Kits
Providing a low-cost, high-performance timber alternative to the housing construction market.
Project Collaborators: -
BuildBlox: A Modular Housing Construction Supply Chain Solution
Enhancing operational efficiency and increasing supply chain transparency within the housing sector.
Project Collaborators: -
Smart Inspections Digital Assistant (InspectorAI)
Modernizing building inspections with AI to boost efficiency and compliance.
Project Collaborators:
Learning and Connecting for Housing Innovation
Want to host a workshop, showcase your work or contribute? We invite leaders and innovators to submit their ideas to grow.housing@digitalsupercluster.ca.
Workshops & Events
Our Innovation Design Workshops bring together dynamic, cross-sector participants to rethink traditional approaches and explore new solutions. Each workshop is designed to address real challenges in the housing sector through hands-on collaboration and creative problem-solving. Launched in May 2024, these workshops challenge the status quo, bringing practical solutions to the table and fostering an ecosystem where every organization involved can learn, grow, and collaborate for the future of housing in B.C.
Key Highlights of our workshops:
- Diverse Participation
- AI-Powered Innovation
- Leadership Insight
- Expanding Networks
- Shared Learnings
- Building Momentum
Research & Insights
Browse reports, white papers and case studies covering best practices and industry trends in housing innovation, designed to equip you with the knowledge you need to navigate the rapidly evolving housing landscape and drive your projects toward success.
Feature of the Month:
- Laying Foundations, Technological Maturity in Canada’s Construction Sector (2022, J, Zachariah & Dr. T, Goldsmith)
Funding Opportunities & Announcements
Keep up-to-date with the latest funding calls and innovation challenges aimed at supporting housing innovation.
Our program has successfully closed 2 cohorts of our Mission Innovation Projects. The cohorts drive key phases in our strategy, each pushing forward progress to transform the housing industry. Each cohort is a focused initiative, advancing different aspects of housing production, technology adoption and workforce development. These phases are designed to build on one another, driving incremental progress while addressing critical challenges in the housing sector. Stay tuned for our next call for proposals for Cohort 3.
Join our LinkedIn Group
Engage with a growing community of innovators and experts via our LinkedIn group. Discuss key challenges, share best practices and collaborate on new ideas in B.C.’s housing sector.