Wisconsin's
HOUSING
SHORTAGE
Since 1984, the US House Sales Price to Income Ratio Has Jumped 5.8x
Zillow, 2024
Wisconsin's 20 Largest Counties Underproduced Over 26,000 Housing Units From 2006-2023
US Census Bureau data 2006-2023
88% of General Contractors Had a Hard Time Filling Craft Positions
2023 Associated General Contractors Survey
The Housing Industry's Resistance to Change
The housing industry, while facing a critical shortage of homes, ironically struggles to embrace innovative solutions that could alleviate the problem. The way homes are built in the United States has remained largely unchanged for decades, resulting in a 50% decline in productivity since 1968. This reluctance to adopt new technologies and approaches has left the industry grappling with an aging workforce, soaring construction costs, and a backlog of nearly $3 trillion in unmet housing needs. This resistance to change, coupled with outdated building codes and a complex web of regulations, creates significant barriers for companies seeking to revolutionize home construction and address the urgent need for more affordable and sustainable housing.
LET'S DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
Announcing the AEC Housing Innovation Challenge, with support from American Family Dreams Foundation and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.
​The program will focus on addressing the following three questions:
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Is modular, factory-built housing a viable option for increasing housing stock in WI?
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Are ADUs a viable proof of concept for factory-built, modular housing?
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Can robotics play a meaningful role in automating factory-built housing?
INDUSTRY EXPERTISE
Stefan Lindbäck (VD Lindbäcks Group) discussed their modular wood-frame construction, which has produced 20,000 apartments since 1994, emphasizing cost efficiency and environmental benefits. Philip Lund Nielsen (Co-Founder & Head of Americas at COBOD International) highlighted 3D printing's potential, noting a 60% reduction in construction time and costs. Both technologies aim to address the global housing crisis by improving efficiency and sustainability.
REGULATORY CONSIDERATION
Matt Tucker (Director, City of Madison Building Inspector) Steve Beversdorf and Mark Gauger, both MG&E representatives and Deputy Secretary Jennifer Garrett, Department of Safety and Professional Services, share compliance and local regulation considerations when exploring alternative building processes and materials.
ACADEMIC EXPERTISE
Ryan Smith (Director, School of Design and Construction at Arizona State University), a leading academic in modular construction design, and Angela Smith (Senior Global Strategic Manager, Visual Innovation & Cloud Solutions) from Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks guide participants through the technical considerations of modular coordination, materials selection, and design flexibility within manufacturing constraints, including hands-on conceptual design exercises for modular ADU solutions using cutting-edge design technology.
SUPPLY CHAIN AND MATERIALS
Andy Martin (Assistant Director, Wood Products Research) from the USDA Forest Products Lab shares expertise in sustainable materials and supply chain optimization for wood-based modular construction, covering factory production workflows, quality control systems, and regional supply chain opportunities in the Great Lakes region.
HANDS ON EXPERIENCE
Experience a confirmed site visit to AVA (Advanced Volumetric Alliance) in Albertville, MN, where participants will observe real-world modular assembly techniques, foundation systems, and the critical interface management between factory production and on-site installation through timeline comparisons with traditional construction methods.
DESIGN CHALLENGE
Darrin Wasniewski (AARP Housing Innovation) provides final guidance on ADU design challenge requirements and compliance while participants complete their final design workshop, developing actionable next steps for implementing modular approaches in their professional practices and preparing submissions for the AARP Design Challenge.