Net Zero Communities : BillionBricks' Innovative Solution
BillionBricks is a climate-tech venture that aims to provide innovative housing solutions to solve the housing crisis in the world. Prasoon Kumar and Anurag Srivastava founded the organization in 2013 as a non-profit. Eventually, in 2020, it became a for-profit venture to expand its reach and impact.
By combining clean energy and large-scale affordable housing into a single financially-viable business proposition, BillionBricks presents an extraordinary opportunity for more people to become homeowners while significantly mitigating climate change.
A BillionBricks' Community Prototype: Pioneering Net-Zero Housing in the Philippines
The BillionBricks Net Zero Community is a sustainable housing solution that is designed to have no impact on the environment. It is designed to be self-sufficient and sustainable that generates its own power through renewable energy sources. The net zero home is also designed to be water-efficient. In addition to being environmentally friendly, the BillionBricks Net Zero Community is also built to be affordable and accessible to low-income communities.
Key Features of BillionBricks Net Zero Community
BillionBricks has developed a Net Zero Community solution to address the growing need for sustainable, affordable housing. The following are the key features of the community:
Sustainable Design
The Net Zero Community is designed to be highly sustainable, using passive design strategies to reduce the energy requirements of net zero homes. Sustainable design is at the heart of net zero homes. Some key aspects of sustainable design that are typically incorporated into net zero homes are passive solar design, high-efficiency insulation, energy-efficient lighting, renewable energy systems, water conservation, and the use of sustainable materials.
Energy Efficiency
The houses in the Net Zero Community are designed to be highly energy-efficient. This is achieved through energy-efficient solar roofs. The houses also incorporate smart technology to manage energy usage.
Community Spaces
The Net Zero Community includes amenities and communal spaces. These are designed to promote social interaction and a sense of community, which is essential for the well-being of residents.
Disaster-Resilience
BillionBricks' Net Zero Community is designed to be disaster-resilient. Houses are designed to withstand natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods. This is achieved through the use of resilient construction materials and design strategies that prioritize safety.
The Net Zero Community solution developed by BillionBricks is a promising approach to addressing the housing crisis while also promoting sustainability and affordability. The first net-zero community is currently underway in the Philippines. It will be built on 16-hectare land. A total of 1,300 homes will be made which would save 6,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually.
Benefits of BillionBricks’ Net Zero Community
BillionBricks' Net Zero Community is a sustainable, affordable housing solution that aims to address the global housing crisis while also promoting environmental sustainability. This innovative approach to community development has a number of benefits that make it an attractive option. Here are some of the benefits:
Sustainable Living
The Net Zero Community is designed to be highly sustainable, using renewable energy sources to minimize its environmental impact. The buildings in the community are energy-efficient, incorporating features such as solar panels,, and rainwater harvesting systems. This sustainable approach to living helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve natural resources, and promote environmental stewardship.
Energy Savings
The energy-efficient design of the buildings in the Net Zero Community also translates into significant cost savings for residents. By reducing energy consumption through insulation, and energy-efficient solar roofs, residents can save money on their energy bills.
Affordable Housing
One of the main goals of the Net Zero Community is to provide affordable housing to those in need. The net zero modular construction method used by BillionBricks allows for quick and efficient construction at a lower cost than traditional construction methods.
Community Spaces
At BillionBricks, we do not simply build homes, we co-create them with local communities. These communities share their experiences and aspirations with us. For instance, the house model that we built for the Philippines is designed with the Filipino family in mind. The model is made reflecting the Filipinos' strong family-oriented culture. At BillionBricks, we ensure that we can cater to the unique needs of the different communities we are serving.
BillionBricks’ Innovative Solution to Housing Problem
BillionBricks' Net Zero Community is an innovative solution to the housing crisis that addresses not only the need for affordable housing but also the need for sustainable and resilient communities. The Net Zero Community offers a comprehensive approach to community development that promotes sustainable living, energy savings, affordability, strong community, and disaster resilience.
By leveraging modular construction methods and renewable energy sources, BillionBricks is able to provide high-quality, affordable housing to those in need, while also promoting environmental stewardship and social well-being.
You can email us at hello@billionbricks.org to know more about BillionBricks projects.
Sources:
BillionBricks. (n.d.). Net Zero Community. Retrieved from https://www.billionbricks.org/net-zero-community
Pioneering net-zero community developer Billionbricks secures additional funding from Thakral corporation and Engie. Engie-Sea. (2022). Retrieved from https://www.engie-sea.com/media-inner/BillionBricks_Secures_Additional_Funding_from_Thakral_Corporation_and_ENGIE
Prasoon Kumar, BillionBricks: Innovating homes for the homeless. Ecogradia. (2023). https://www.ecogradia.com/podcast/prasoon-kumar-billionbricks-innovating-homes-for-the-homeless/
