Blueprint for Growth: Innovation in Housing

The Government of Canada estimates 700,000 skilled trades workers will retire between 2019 and 2028. This void needs to be filled fast if Canada is going to meet its ambitious housing construction targets. But are enough young people entering the trades, and will they develop their skills fast enough to replenish the lifetimes of knowledge being lost? In this episode of Hard Hats & High Tech ,...

The Government of Canada estimates 700,000 skilled trades workers will retire between 2019 and 2028. This void needs to be filled fast if Canada is going to meet its ambitious housing construction targets. But are enough young people entering the trades, and will they develop their skills fast enough to replenish the lifetimes of knowledge being lost? In this episode of Hard Hats & High Tech ,...

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...

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 Direct...

Season 2 Episode 5 - Indigenous Led Development & The Future of Housing Innovation in housing isn’t just about new tools — it’s about leadership, partnership, and solutions rooted in community needs. In this episode of Blueprint for Growth: Innovation and Housing , host Amy Vilis speaks with Robin Billy , an Indigenous leader driving transformative approaches to First Nations housing and infra...

Season 2 Episode 4 - Tech, Trades & Workforce Transformation in Housing In this episode of Blueprint for Growth: Innovation and Housing , host Amy Vilis explores how Canada’s construction workforce is evolving as digital tools, new training models, and shifting labour markets reshape how homes get built.  John Reid , co-founder of Faber Technologies , shares how micro-credentials, gig-based hi...

Season 2 Episode 3 - Accelerating Digital Adoption & Streamlining Regulations In this episode of Blueprint for Growth: Innovation and Housing , host Amy Vilis explores how cities and tech leaders are modernizing the systems that govern how homes get approved, reviewed, and delivered.  Rene Cravioto shares how Vancouver is shifting from paper-based permitting to standardized, digital workflows—...

Season 2 Episode 2 - Innovation in On-Site, Off-Site, and Digital Construction On this episode of Blueprint for Growth: Innovation in Housing , host Amy Vilis sits down with two leaders turning housing innovation from buzzword to real-world impact.  Beau Jarvis , President & CEO of Wesgroup Properties, breaks down how traditional construction is evolving through digital bolt-ons like robotics,...

Season 2 Episode 1 - Building the Future with Innovation & Modern Methods of Construction Welcome to season two of Blueprint for Growth: Innovation and Housing , hosted by Amy Vilis. In this episode, we examine how bold housing ideas move from concept to construction across Canada’s diverse regions, highlighting practical, context-driven innovation. Joined by Brandon Searle , Director of Innov...

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...

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...

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 Buil...

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 b...

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 i...

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...

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 Pr...

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 Pr...