How Robots & Mass Timber Are Revolutionizing Housing in Vancouver
Prefab homes and robots might sound futuristic — but Intelligent City BC is making them real. This innovative approach to mass-timber modular housing blends automation, sustainability, and affordability — all built inside a factory.
1. What Is Intelligent City BC?
Founded in 2008 by Oliver Lang and Cindy Wilson, Intelligent City builds mass-timber modular housing in a high-tech factory using robotics and digital design.
Their mission? To deliver sustainable, smart, and affordable homes — faster and better.
2. Inside BC’s High-Tech Housing Factory
- Location: In October 2021, Intelligent City opened its automated factory in North Delta, BC.
- Technology: Five robotic arms assemble walls, ceilings, and floors with insulation, electrical wiring, and ductwork already in place.
- Efficiency: This method shortens construction time by up to 58%.
Read the full Vancouver Sun feature on Intelligent City’s factory
3. Why It’s a Game-Changer
Faster Construction
While one team preps the building site, the factory produces custom housing panels at the same time — saving weeks or even months.
Eco-Friendly Materials
- Mass timber captures and stores carbon, making it a greener alternative to concrete or steel.
- These buildings use 15–20% less energy and last for decades.
Learn more about mass timber and climate impact
Custom and Smart Design
Their in-house software allows Intelligent City to customize each project to suit different needs without increasing costs.
4. Support and Growth
- The CleanBC Building Innovation Fund helped kick-start Intelligent City with early funding.
- In 2023, the company raised CAD 12 million in Series A funding and has now secured nearly CAD 30 million in total investment.
5. Where These Homes Are Headed
- Toronto: The team is building a 9-storey mass timber building at 230 Royal York Rd.
- Vancouver: They’re delivering housing for the BC Indigenous Housing Society in East Vancouver.
- Across North America: They’re actively working on over 2,800 units in Canada and 1,400+ in the U.S..
6. A Smart Fit for Smart Cities
This building approach supports the idea of Vancouverism — a design philosophy that encourages walkable, transit-connected, mid-rise communities.
With robotic precision and sustainable materials, cities can now create affordable housing that looks great and performs even better.
Read our feature on What’s Happening with Lime’s e‑Bike Share on the North Shore? at Everyana
Final Thoughts
At Everyana, we’re excited to see technology and urban design come together. Intelligent City isn’t just building homes — it’s creating smarter ways to live.
Robots and timber might just build the future, one panel at a time.
Stay tuned to Everyana for more stories on innovation & urban lifestyle
