Net-Zero Homes for All (ModulusTech)

With the global housing crisis and associated challenges of climate change globally, 1.6B people currently lack adequate housing. According to UN Habitat, by 2050 70% of the homes that will exist in Africa and Asia have not even been built yet. Moreover, 40% of global energy related carbon emissions come from the buildings we live in. Hence, if we are to give the world a fighting chance against climate change and provide housing at the same time, the way we build today needs to change.

Moreover, the low-cost housing market sees the highest deficit yet is the most underserved. The same populations are most affected by impacts of climate change, have a lack of access to water and energy. 

To make matters worse for these populations, adverse weather and natural disasters are becoming more frequent and their is a dire need for climate smart homes that can provide higher levels of thermal comfort and resilience to natural disasters.

ModulusTech's housing technology has been designed to solve all these challenges faced...

ModulusTech is a pioneer in net-zero affordable housing, providing housing solutions to the most underserved communities using its proprietary technology.

We have developed the world's most affordable net-zero houses (as low as $12/sqft.) that are factory built and set up in 10% of the time of conventional homes. Moreover, the homes are built by local factories using an outsourcing model so that they can be scaled around the world with materials available locally making the technology scalable. The communities we develop are self-sustainable and operate 100% off grid with their own water and renewable energy production. The homes are also climate smart, resilient to earthquakes and hurricanes and have the Advance EDGE certification from the World Bank.

How it works:
The Intermesh Technology allows light engineering factories around the world to build flat pack housing kits and deployed anywhere to be assembled, using a quick DIY methodology.

The use of green materials and passive design to build these modules result in 90% lower embodies CO2 as compared to traditional construction of similar size and the houses can be integrated with solar electric systems to make the fully autonomous as well as net zero communities.

The flat pack methodology employed allows ModulusTech solution to be globally scalable as the houses can be flat packed and transported efficiently, with 11 homes per truck. Furthermore we are working on a digitalized outsourced mechanism that will allow ModulusTech to be able to complete projects globally through localized vendors and materials.

Green, resilient homes are at the nexus of climate challenge, affordability and inclusion they are a critical opportunity to deliver on mitigation and resilience, while stimulating economic growth.

ModulusTech's housing innovation reduces housing prices by at least 50-60% while providing better quality and more dignified homes.

In general, the target population for affordable housing includes low-income and middle-income households who cannot afford to buy or rent a home at market prices. This includes people who are living in inadequate, unsafe, or overcrowded housing, as well as those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

In many countries, the demand for affordable housing is particularly acute in urban areas, where a growing population has put enormous pressure on the limited housing stock. This has led to the proliferation of slums and informal settlements, where people are living in extremely poor conditions with limited access to basic services and infrastructure.

With ModulusTech's low cost housing solution, we are targeting bottom 40% of the income pyramid. These are the people that are unable to afford homes or even rentals that conform to international standards. 

ModulusTech are providing not just homes, but better health and stability, and economic opportunities. They create resilience to climate shocks through an accessible route out of informal settlements.
Smart, innovative engineering – coupled with a frank assessment of the climate, infrastructure, and economic challenges – has led ModulusTech to build a solution for the triple bottom line: people-planet-profit.

The ModulusTech team consists of individuals with the domain knowledge, who are passionate about tackling the global shortage for housing and understand the needs of low-income communities.

With the majority of the team growing up in Karachi and witnessing the disparity in the city, we have seen first hand the conditions a majority of our population lives in. 

The product team at ModulusTech also spent time in slum areas of the city and took user interviews to really understand their problems and see what conditions they live in. Our design methodology ensures collecting feedback from end users for the design and features of the homes. 

Till date we have completed over 80000 square feet of built spaces, saving over 3 million kg Co2 emissions in the process and have directly affected over 600 people through our solution.

The benefits ModulusTech aims to gain from MIT solve revolve around creating a solid partner network as well as to gain exposure for a problem that affects almost every country in the world. 

We feel that the space we are working in shouldn't be competitive but rather collaborative. In order to achieve our goal of reducing the housing shortage gap significantly we have to engage and collaborate with other organisations and companies that are focusing on the same problem. With MIT solves expansive network, we at ModulusTech have a lot to benefit from. More than just raising funds, we want to create awareness for the problem and find partners who want to move forward on this journey with us and learn from more mature companies who have already tackled the challenges we are facing. Winning this prestigious challenge would ensure that ModulusTech is seen as a reputable and credible company that partners would want to work with. 

We have patents on the building system (i.e., InterMesh System), and its methodology. The way it works is that structural and façade elements are broken down in modules, All the modules employ proprietary connections that allow structure to be assembled using simple nut and bolt mechanism and wall panels for façade can then be integrated with structure using hand tools. All the utilities are pre-integrated within the wall panels and hence the whole system relies on plug and play mechanism.

This pioneering design harnesses multiple benefits:
• Cost-effective and time-efficient

• Environmentally friendly: self-sustaining, low embodied-carbon release, energy-efficient

• Flexible: re-locatable, modular, off-grid
• Accessible: simple construction methodology, plug
& play mechanism for utilities
• Sustainable: climate resilient, fire & earthquake safe,
international building code-compliant

Low flat pack volume, allows for economical transport and access to remotest locations.

The solution has a unique offering of creating social and environmental impact while contributing to over 10 UN Sustainable Development Goals.

We aim to scale the solution across borders and within our home country in the coming years, staring from over 500 homes in Pakistan next year and entry into some African countries.

In the next 5 years we aim to deliver over 12,000 homes across Africa and Asia, resulting in estimated carbon savings of 50M CO2e, and providing climate smart housing to 60,000 people. Moreover, with each of our projects we aim to create employment and support SMEs with numerous forward and backward link businesses working in partnership.  We also create women empowerment through the homes we deliver, by incentivizing female-ownership of the homes. 

Apart from housing, this housing technology can be utilised for all sorts of green infrastructure, such as clinics, classrooms, cold storages, community halls. Hence our vision is to scale this solution to completely transition the lives of bottom 40% of the population towards sustainable developed living

We measure our environmental impact through a carbon calculator, used on all our existing projects. Moreover, we get our homes certified for their energy, water and material ratings through GBCI and IFC's EDGE Buildings Certification.

We also measure the number of people using our solutions and take feedback from them regarding how satisfied they are.

ModulusTech enables communities to be self sufficient by creating employment locally, deploying safe spaces for women and children, better WASH facilities and environmental benefits.

Immediate Outcomes:

- Immediate saving in carbon emissions calculated and verified by green building certifications,

- Access to housing, safety of women and children, better health conditions, and access to electricity and water.

- Better WASH facilities, community living and safe spaces for development of communities.

- Better awareness on sustainability.

Long Term Outcomes:

- Economic empowerment and development at micro and macro level,

- Asset building for families,

- Financial Inclusion,

- Better Health,

- Global carbon savings

- Resilience to climate change.

ModulusTech Intermesh Technology is powered by its enterprise software which enables wide scale deployment and outsourced manufacturing of homes globally, and helps maintains quality standards.

Our approach is centered around female empowerment and providing women with housing ownership. Our model ensures that 50% of the housing we provide is under female ownership. Moreover, we employ local labour from the areas where are projects are being implemented in order to create income opportunities for residents in the area. We also ensure that we take feedback on all aspects of our housing to make it easier and more liveable for customers. 

Modulus Tech specializes in designing and manufacturing modular, sustainable housing solutions. Our business model revolves around the following key elements:

1. Modular housing production: We design and produce modular housing units that are affordable, durable, and sustainable. These units can be used for a variety of purposes such as affordable housing, disaster relief, and refugee housing.

2. Partnerships and collaborations: We aim to partner with NGOs, governments, and other organisations to provide housing solutions for our beneficiaries. We also collaborate with architects, designers, and engineers to develop innovative housing solutions. Our ethos revolves around constant innovation in order to create more cost efficient and sustainable solutions that provide value for the end-user. 

3. Technology-driven approach: We use cutting-edge technology to ensure that our product stays as scaleable as possible. We have implemented an outsourcing model that allows us to work with multiple vendors to manufacture our homes. In order to expand globally it's essential for us to use a outsourcing model in order to create both scale and cost efficiency in both local and international markets. This enables us to produce high-quality housing units at a lower cost.

4. Subscription-based model: Modulus Tech offers a subscription-based model where customers can lease or rent their housing units for a fixed period of time. This provides customers with flexible and affordable housing solutions without the upfront cost of buying a home. We look to partner with private mortgage lenders which make the process of obtaining a mortgage easier for low income populations who might not have access to capital or a down payment to secure a loan or mortgage. This is a key financial instrument in making a breakthrough to provide dignified housing to low income communities and individuals. 

5. Differential products: In order to ensure the survival and on going operations of Modulus Tech we have diversified our portfolio to provide sustainable construction solutions to other market segments as well. We provide construction for a variety of products including eco-tourism projects, labour housing, home extensions, warehouses etc. This allows us to create a differential if the affordable housing sector becomes unaffordable. 

Organic Growth

Modulus Tech's plan for becoming financially stable includes several key strategies:

1. Scaling up production: Modulus Tech plans to increase its production capacity to meet the growing demand for affordable and sustainable housing solutions. This will enable the company to generate more revenue and achieve economies of scale, which can help reduce costs and increase profitability.

2. Diversifying its product offerings: Modulus Tech plans to expand its product offerings beyond modular housing units. The company is exploring new opportunities in areas such as renewable energy, water and sanitation. By diversifying its product portfolio, Modulus Tech can generate additional revenue streams and reduce its dependence on a single product line.

3. Investing in research and development: Modulus Tech is committed to innovation and plans to invest in research and development to create new and improved products. This will help the company stay competitive and meet the evolving needs of its customers.

4. Forming strategic partnerships: Modulus Tech plans to form strategic partnerships with organizations in the affordable housing, disaster relief, and refugee housing sectors. By partnering with these organizations, Modulus Tech can access new markets and customers, as well as leverage the expertise and resources of its partners.

5. Adopting sustainable business practices: Modulus Tech is committed to sustainability and plans to adopt sustainable business practices that reduce its environmental footprint and improve its social impact. By doing so, Modulus Tech can enhance its reputation and appeal to customers who value sustainability.

Funding and Investment

In order to scale faster in the affordable housing sector we are looking to obtain equity investment, grants and debt funding to grow as fast as we can. There has to be synergy from the government in providing funding or debt funding in order to make a real impact in the Pakistani market. The current housing shortage stands at over 10 million units and the possibility of creating a dent in the market can only be done with the help of the government and private funding.