What is the name of your solution?
Jaipur Wall
Provide a one-line summary of your solution.
Ready to assemble, fast, modular & sustainable homes.
Film your elevator pitch.
What specific problem are you solving?
The housing affordability crisis is one of the biggest challenges the world is facing today. Access to decent, 'Affordable housing is fundamental to the health and well-being of people and the smooth functioning of economies. But most cities struggle with the dual challenges of housing their poorest citizens and providing housing at a reasonable cost for low and middle-income populations. The huge affordable housing demand and inadequate supply have created a big void in the market. Presently 330 million urban households around the world live in substandard housing. By 2025, about 440 million urban households around the world, at least 1.6 billion people would occupy crowded and inadequate housing. Land prices are so high that the lower-middle-income group finds it impossible to construct a house at a reasonable cost. Also, the traditional building methods are so time-consuming that it is impossible to provide housing to the community using the same old-age methods. We want to eradicate the 'Housing affordability crisis’ using our innovative construction technique having no carbon footprint on the planet.
What is your solution?
Hexpressions is a product service innovation providing affordable, fast, modular & sustainable homes to all sections of society using a new age construction material "Composite Paper Honeycomb Panel”. Composite Paper Honeycomb Panel has two components - an inner core (paper honeycomb made with recycled paper) & outer face material (any local materials like cement board, wood, stone, etc.). This new age wonder material can replace the traditional construction materials & reduce the carbon footprint on the planet ( by 80% ). The project largely focuses on environmental issues (paper waste) & societal issues (housing affordability & social integration) addressing the housing affordability crisis & social exclusion from our society. The project aims to support underserved communities with permanent shelter. The solution empowers people by providing training & skill development to build their own homes & live a dignified life. Composite Paper Honeycomb Panel is an evolutionary product that replaces non-eco-friendly materials like (wood, polyurethane foam, Rock Wool, Mineral wool) in their respective applications while preserving the key virtues of their usage in the concerned applications. Composite Paper Honeycomb Panel is an eco-friendly, versatile, flexible & lightweight material that has excellent compatibility with other materials & an excellent strength-to-weight ratio. It combines with plywood, steel, plastics, fibre-reinforced plastic & many other materials as its sandwich faces to form some of the strongest composite panels for its weight and dimensions. It is also more economical than most materials, thereby making it an ideal choice. As a product made from recycled paper and eco-friendly glue, it is a boon to the earth as a 100% bio-degradable, nonpolluting, eco-friendly material. Large-scale usage of paper honeycomb can drastically boost the aim of preserving nature.
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
India, like most major emerging economies, has been witnessing accelerating urbanisation. As per the census of India in 2001, about 72% of the population lived in rural areas, and 28% in urban areas. By 2011, these figures had changed to 69% rural population and 31% urban population. In fact, as per the census of 2011, for the first time since India’s independence, the absolute increase in population was more in urban areas than in rural areas.
According to estimates, around 600 million people are expected to make urban India their home by 2031, a whopping 59% growth over 2011. The current housing deficit in India stands at 19 million units, is slated to double to 38 million units by 2030. 95% of this deficit is around the EWS (Economically Weaker Sections) and LIG (Low Income Group) segments, which technically puts the figure at a staggering 18 million units in this category (approximately). The deficit in this category is approximately 4 lakh units, which, if not addressed, would further aggravate the proliferation of unplanned and unsustainable urbanisation. Statistics show that more than 80% of this category are staying in congested homes. The lack of available housing options, combined with limited income and minimal access to home finance for low-income borrowers, means that millions of Indian households currently live in cramped, poorly constructed houses/slum areas/ shanties. They lack access to a clean and healthy environment, with even basic amenities such as sanitation, clean water, sewage, waste management and electricity often absent. Thus, ‘Affordable Housing’ is an idea whose time has come, and sooner rather than later, planned sustainable urbanisation will have to be by default and not by choice.
It's a B2G/ B2B2C model focusing on Governments, NGOs & philanthropic groups. Our paying customers are Intermediaries ( Developers, Architects, NGOs, philanthropic organizations) who are dealing in affordable housing and community development projects.
Revenue is generated by:
1. Collaborating with intermediaries through various affordable and sustainable housing projects.
2. Licensing the green construction technique
3. Renting modular houses as a customized service
How are you and your team well-positioned to deliver this solution?
We believe that disruptive design ideas can bring change to society. We are a team of designers and when we got to know about the scheme of "Housing for all" by 2022 announced by the honourable prime minister of India, we felt to do something about it. We believed being Architects and Designers we understand the market potential, opportunities, and threats too. Our past work experience also helps us to evaluate the market very well in terms of design requirements and opportunities. So it is not only a project but our duty toward society to make housing affordable and sustainable for not only communities but also for the planet.
Hexpressions Team:
1. Abhimanyu Singh, CEO,
Architect & Retail designer
Politecnico di Milano, Italy (Master of Science), 2017 National Institute of Design, Bangalore (PGDPD), 2011, B.Arch, Rajasthan university, 2008
Linkedin Profile: ( https://www.linkedin.com/in/ab... )
2. Shilpi Dua, CTO,
Architect & Industrial designer
Politecnico di Milano, Italy (Master of Science), 2017 School of Planning & Architecture, New Delhi, 2011, B.Arch, Rajasthan university, 2008
Linkedin Profile: ( https://www.linkedin.com/in/sh... )
We both have over a decade of working experience in the design and construction industry which help us to evaluate the market very well in terms of design requirements & opportunities. We know each other since our college days back in 2003 and since then we are together. We have previously founded 2 startups in the field of Design and Design education. Our like-mindedness to innovate in the field of sustainable housing communities brought us together for this new startup.
Which dimension of the Challenge does your solution most closely address?
Enable mass production of inexpensive and low-carbon housing, including changes to design, materials, and construction methods.
Where our solution team is headquartered or located:
Jaipur, Rajasthan, IndiaOur solution's stage of development:
PilotHow many people does your solution currently serve?
45
Why are you applying to Solve?
We are always ready to explore and grab new opportunities. Solve program will be an important milestone in our startup journey. At this crucial stage of our startup, the right mix of mentorship, funding, and networking will help us achieve our project milestones in the future. Joining this program will give us a new platform to showcase our product to various stakeholders and users. It will be a unique opportunity for us to know the works of fellow innovators, startups and exchange thoughts. it will help us in joining the unique network of "solvers" and we can leverage the collective wisdom of the community and refine our project.
In which of the following areas do you most need partners or support?
Business model (e.g. product-market fit, strategy & development)
Who is the Team Lead for your solution?
Abhimanyu Singh, CEO
What makes your solution innovative?
Our innovative & sustainable construction system transforms the complete life cycle of the built environment, literally. It starts with designing & planning the building on paper, making modules of the panels to minimize wastage of time, labour and material. During the construction process, we fabricate our panels on-site to minimise the transportation cost and installation time. In the end, when the product life cycle is over we will dismantle the panels and send them for recycling. Hence our overall carbon footprint on the planet will be 80% lesser, 10x faster, 30% more economical than any traditional construction methods presently available in the market.
Hexpressions is using a holistic approach that provides the user with an end to end solution. Our solution changes the complete life cycle of the project from start to end. The prefabricated composite honeycomb panels will be designed to suit the end user's daily needs. The Solution reaches the consumer as a flatpack that consists of Prefabricated honeycomb panels, connectors, sealants and handling instructions in the form of audio and videos. A team of assemblers reach on-site and assemble the house for the consumer in no time. Once the product lifecycle is over it is recycled 100% leaving no carbon footprint on the planet. All the components used in the panels like paper, resin, cement board, etc. are fully recyclable. To expedite the supply chain process most of the panels will be in situ ( assembled on-site).
What are your impact goals for the next year and the next five years, and how will you achieve them?
Our impact goals for the next year are:
1. To construct 200 homes for underprivileged communities locally in India.
2. To reduce CO2 emission by 1200 tonnes by building 200 homes that are 75% lower than the traditional construction.
3. Skill development and training program to train at least 50 people who can help us build their own homes and get ready for employment.
Our impact goals for the next 5 years are:
1. To construct 5000 homes for underprivileged communities globally.
2. To reduce CO2 emission by 10000 tonnes by building 5000 homes that are 75% lower than the traditional construction.
3. Skill development and training program to train at least 500 people who can help us build their own homes and get ready for employment.
4. Dignified life to 5000 families
5. Saving 100 million litres of water during construction using our drywall construction technique.
How to achieve?
1. Collaborating with architects & social organisations for affordable housing projects.
2. Awareness program at the grass-roots level with social organisations about our innovative construction technology.
3. Product showcase through demos, exhibits, pilot projects and digital media.
4. Collaborating with real estate developers for housing projects for economically weaker sections.
How are you measuring your progress toward your impact goals?
Impact progress metrics
1. Number of homes built.
2. Number of people trained through skill development and training program.
3. Reduction in CO2 emission by building sustainable homes
4. Amount of Water consumption reduced as compared to traditional construction methods.
5. Amount of man-hours saved by using prefabricated construction technology.
What is your theory of change?
Problem
The housing affordability crisis is one of the biggest challenges the world is facing today. Access to decent, 'Affordable housing is fundamental to the health and well-being of people and the smooth functioning of economies. But most cities struggle with the dual challenges of housing their poorest citizens and providing housing at a reasonable cost for low and middle-income populations. The huge affordable housing demand and inadequate supply have created a big void in the market. Presently 330 million urban households around the world live in substandard housing. By 2025, about 440 million urban households around the world, at least 1.6 billion people would occupy crowded and inadequate housing.
Wider effects of the problem?
The absence of permanent shelter leads to social disintegration and homeless people becomes virtually out of society. This exclusion leads to poverty, anti-social activities and health hazards among the affected people.
Vision
We envision a green and sustainable environment for our future generations to come.
Mission
We aim towards sustainability and social integration by providing permanent shelter to underserved communities by using a new age green construction technique.
What is the ultimate change?
A permanent shelter to all families globally.
What will be the situation if the problem identified is now solved?
In that case, we will try to improvise the living standard of the families so that they can get access to clean water, energy and space. Also, we would like to implement our construction system in all types of buildings.
Outcomes/Impact
Short term ( 1-2 years)
What is the first level of positive change beneficiary experiences about the product/service?
The beneficiaries feel more secure, protected and dignified having a permanent shelter.
Long term (3-5 years)
What are the more permanent changes for the beneficiary?
Better living standards, healthy lifestyle, economic self-sufficiency, behavioural change, higher level of literacy, social interaction of the beneficiary families. They will formally become part of the social system that contributes to the development of society and the world.
Broader changes in the system and outcomes existing for a while?
- Perception changes about sustainable construction techniques in terms of life, strength and longevity.
- Dignified social life for beneficiaries
- Perception change in society about people with permanent shelter
- Awareness about climate impact and homelessness at large
- Sustainable construction is not only for low-cost & affordable housing
Outputs
What is the immediate result of your activities?
- Sense of safety and security ( Beneficiary )
- Water-saving ( climate impact )
- CO2 emission reduction ( climate impact )
- Resource-saving ( Natural resources )
- Sustainability ( fully recyclable solution )
How many beneficiaries will receive our product/service/program?
We are planning to impact the lives of over 1 million people in the next 5 years and 100 million in 20 years.
Activities
Steps required to develop our product/service/program?
- Awareness program about sustainable construction
- Skill development program to train unskilled people
- Collaboration with government, NGOs, social organisations, real estate developers
- Product showcase through demos, videos and exhibitions.
Steps required to make our product/service/program available to the beneficiary?
- Collaborate with government and real state developers for affordable housing projects.
- Target customer mapping through desk research, surveys and ground activities.
- Comparative analysis of similar construction solutions in the market.
Inputs
What are the resources required to develop the product or service?
- Intellectual & human resources
- Material testing facilities
- Financial resources
- Supply chain/ Channel partners
What are the skills and expertise that are required?
- Marketing & Sales
- Legal
- Business development & expansion
Who are the key stakeholders or partners involved?
- Governments, NGOs & Social organisations
- Architects & Interior Designers
- Real estate developers
- Paper honeycomb manufacturers
- Assembly and Installation team
- End users
Describe the core technology that powers your solution.
Paper Honeycomb core is widely used in the packaging, furniture industry. Its properties like shock absorption, lightweight, eco-friendly, stackability, termite-proof make it a truly unique product. Hexpressions is using the advantage of its properties & giving it a new dimension of a unique building material as “Composite paper honeycomb panels”. This material has the highest weight to strength as compared to other traditional building materials. These are fast, modular, affordable, eco-friendly & customized panels, designed to snug-fit products, providing complete protection from outside weathering conditions. The best part of the material is that its face material can be changed as per the local context. The panels can be made with wood, cement board, fibreboard, stone, etc. without any additional efforts to suit the microclimatic conditions. The material withstands all conditions of wind, rain, fire, security, and safety. It is the only drywall system in the market which is green, sustainable & super fast.
The traditional drywall system has 3 different components, support structure, face material & filler material, is very much prone to cracks and failure because all the 3 components have different coefficients of expansion & contraction. They vibrate on different frequencies & hence more cracks. Hexpressions system has overcome this by combining all 3 components in one single sandwich panel, reducing the cracks and increasing the strength of the overall system.
Which of the following categories best describes your solution?
A new application of an existing technology
Please select the technologies currently used in your solution:
Which of the UN Sustainable Development Goals does your solution address?
In which countries do you currently operate?
In which countries will you be operating within the next year?
What type of organization is your solution team?
For-profit, including B-Corp or similar models
How many people work on your solution team?
5
How long have you been working on your solution?
3 years
What is your approach to incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusivity into your work?
Hexpressions is a diverse team having inclusion, equality and diversity at its core. We are an equal opportunity employer and have no reservation based on caste, creed, gender and ethnicity. Our founding team is led by a woman and our small team always keeps a fine balance of gender. We recruit people based on their skills and talent and are unbiased. We are a perfect example of a small multidisciplinary team and equal opportunity employment.
The construction industry has always been a male dominating industry due to its raw, heavy, rusty and harsh working conditions. Hexpressions is leading by example to change this gender bias by creating safe and secure working conditions for women employed. We are involving the rural women workforce to help us in manufacturing paper honeycomb, cutting, packing and assembly using basic hardware tools.
Our prefabricated panels are lightweight and quick to install, that is why our assembly team has 40% women workers. There are no health hazards during the manufacturing of panels and all materials used are eco friendly and non-toxic. We have also maintained healthy and safe working conditions for our women workers with clean and hygienic washrooms and medical areas.
What is your business model?
Do you primarily provide products or services directly to individuals, to other organizations, or to the government?
Organizations (B2B)What is your plan for becoming financially sustainable?
It's a B2G/ B2B2C model focusing on Governments, NGOs & philanthropic groups. Our paying customers will be Intermediaries ( Developers, Architects, NGOs, philanthropic organisations) who are dealing in affordable housing and community development projects. But our end consumers will be underserved communities, refugees, the homeless and people who can’t afford a home.
Revenue will be generated by:
1. Collaborating with intermediaries through various affordable & sustainable housing projects.
2. Licensing the green construction technique.
3. Renting modular houses as customised service.
Solution Team
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Ms. Shilpi Dua Architect & Product Service Designer, Hexpressions
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Mr. Abhimanyu Singh Architect & Service designer, Hexpressions megatech private limited
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Our Organization
Hexpressions