The BOSS Initiative Revolutionizes Construction of Faster and Greener Homes in Metro Vancouver

According to a recent report by RBC, Canada needs to build an additional 332,000 rental units over the next three years to achieve an optimal vacancy rate of three percent. A North Vancouver builder, BCollective, took this urgent need seriously and has come up with an efficient way of building homes.

​As the demand for affordable and efficient housing continues to grow, innovative construction methods are emerging to meet the needs of the modern homeowner. The construction industry is constantly evolving, and BCollective is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with their innovative approach to building homes. 

BCollective Homes recently completed the frame of a home in under two days using their Building Offsite Sustainable Systems (BOSS) initiative, which involves manufacturing components of the home off-site in a controlled factory setting, resulting in significant time and cost savings, as well as reduced environmental impact.

Image: Framed-Home-on-Truck-BCollective-Homes

BCollective Homes is making waves in the industry by constructing the frame of a home in under two days, using cutting-edge technology and sustainable materials. This groundbreaking approach is revolutionizing the way homes are built and has the potential to transform the future of construction in metro Vancouver and beyond.

Traditional home construction can be time-consuming and labor-intensive, involving multiple stages and numerous workers. However, BCollective Homes has adopted a more streamlined and efficient process that combines technology and sustainability to drastically reduce construction time and costs.

According to Chris Hill, the president of BCollective Homes, the BOSS initiative is a catalyst for collaboration. The company is actively sharing their methods with the public through workshops, with the aim of increasing the supply of sustainable housing in the market and ultimately bringing down prices. Hill recognizes that, in the face of Canada’s urgent need for more rental units, time is of the essence in the construction industry.

Image: Erected-BCollective-Homes

The traditional timeline for assembling a BOSS home, from initial installation on-site to the owners moving in, is roughly four to five months, but Hill and his team are actively working to reduce this timeline further. The manufacturing process for the panels used in the home’s frame typically takes a couple of weeks, demonstrating the significant time-saving potential of the BOSS approach.

“The BOSS initiative is a catalyst for collaboration,” said Hill. “It’s publicly available; we’re sharing a lot of this. We’ve got three workshops. We’re running 150 to 200 people through this to really share what we’re doing, because ultimately, if there’s enough supply in the market, prices will come down.” 

Image: Frame-under-construction-BCollective-Homes

The speed at which the home’s frame was constructed, approximately 18 hours, resulted in an estimated 20 percent reduction in overall project costs, according to BCollective. In addition to the cost savings, the BOSS approach also minimizes on-site disruptions such as noise, waste, and environmental impact.

“The construction noise on-site was really quiet. For the crew and that neighborhood, the impact of noise, trucks coming and going, saws, sawdust, and waste… it’s real. Construction is a messy, dirty thing. And it was pretty amazing to see it go up that quickly and really have that positive effect,” says Hill. “Neighbours were literally jumping for joy on their deck, watching this thing go up… they were like two thumbs up.”

The environmental benefits of the BOSS initiative are also significant. Greenhouse gas emissions as a result of the project were reduced by approximately 40 percent, according to BCollective Homes. The panels used in the construction of BOSS homes are carbon-storing, which is critical in the fight against climate change.

Many traditional construction materials, such as concrete, are carbon-positive and contribute to environmental degradation. BCollective Homes is actively working towards reducing the construction industry’s carbon footprint through their innovative approach.

“Which is really critical because concrete or so many other products are [carbon-positive], and are contributing to that climate change issue. And that’s what we’re really working towards, is how can we as an industry reduce that number?” says Hill. 

“By erecting a house with all these panels in a couple of days, it’s allowing us to change the paradigm a little bit, and we’re speeding everything up,” Hill concludes. 

The first installation of a BOSS home, a 2,700-square-foot property, is located on the 3000 block of East 22nd Street in Vancouver. The success of this project has garnered attention from the construction industry and beyond, with many recognizing the potential of the BOSS initiative to revolutionize the way homes are built in Canada.

Image: AI-Rendering-Completed-Home-BCollective-Homes

As the demand for affordable and sustainable housing continues to rise, BCollectives’ innovative construction approach provides a promising solution to meet the needs of potential home buyers. By combining sustainable materials, advanced technology, and efficient construction methods, BCollective is setting a new standard for home construction in Metro Vancouver and beyond.

BCollectives’ approach not only benefits homeowners, but also has the potential to positively impact the environment, the construction industry, and the overall quality of housing.

Municipal, provincial, and federal governments should pay special attention to companies like BCollective Homes, and their innovative solutions, and extend support and partnership for greener, more efficient, and cost-effective home building technologies.

In conclusion, constructing a home in under two weeks may seem like an impossible feat for most builders in British Columbia, but BCollective Homes has made it a reality. BCollective’s revolutionary approach to home construction is transforming the way homes are built, setting a new standard for efficiency, sustainability, and innovation. Through the use of technology, and streamlined construction methods, BCollective is leading the charge in creating affordable, sustainable, and aesthetically pleasing homes that meet the needs of the modern Metro Vancouver homeowner.

We, at KH Cabinets Ltd., endorse technologies that positively contribute to our cities and communities. BOSS is one of the technologies we wholeheartedly support.

We would love to work with companies that are trend-setters. If you have custom-made cabinetry projects, please contact us on 778-590-7088 or email us on Office@KHcabinets.ca

For more information, visit: www.KHcabinets.ca