Marco Polo 100 Digital Build Challenge

Building permits have been granted and construction is starting for Canada’s First and Largest 3D printed neighborhood. 5 buildings, each two storeys high, will be built in the waterfront community of Gananoque, Ontario.

Developed and funded by the Horizon Legacy Group as part of the Marco Polo 100 Digital Build Challenge, an international competition to build a multi-residential building for $100/sq feet using innovative technologies and processes. The project’s goal is to solve the global affordable housing crisis while pioneering the use of robotics and automation in construction. Each building has a unique design and strategy for incorporating 3D printing and robotics with traditional construction methods.

“As Gananoque’s local representative, I know Ontario’s housing crisis is more than just a big-city problem,” said Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing of Ontario and MPP for Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes. “Innovative solutions and approaches are critical to build quality and attainable housing at the rate our province needs, and I am pleased to see this innovation taking place right here in our community.”
“Our team has demonstrated that the technology can meet Ontario Building Code requirements,” says Anthony Zwig, President and CEO of Horizon. “We are moving the technology to deployment on a commercial scale”.

Each building is approximately 1400 sq feet with one bachelor, one 1 bedroom, and one 2 bedroom for a total of 15 units. 30% of the units, up to 5, will be allocated as affordable units according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation definitions. The neighborhood will be owned by the Horizon Legacy Group and made available as rental apartments.

“I look forward to seeing this project create a new way of using innovative technologies to build affordable housing. I am pleased to see that 30% of the units, up to 5, will be made available as affordable units for rentals for much needed residents and seniors,” says Ted Lojko, Mayor of Gananoque. “I remain committed to doing everything possible to help those in need and I am thankful for Horizon Legacy choosing the Town of Gananoque to build their model homes,” he continues.

This fall, site preparations begin for road, powerlines, and foundations. Construction of the buildings is expected to begin in spring 2023. Buttcon Limited has been selected as general contractor for construction of the five buildings.

“It has been our absolute pleasure to work with the Town of Gananoque and the whole team to plan this project. We have partners who shares our belief in construction innovation,” says Frank Belerique, Vice President of Operations.

Highlights:

• The Marco Polo 100 Digital Build Challenge is an international technology competition to solve affordable housing using new technologies and processes. Horizon Legacy Group, backers of the competition, is investing up to $10M and offering cash prizes and royalties to the winning submissions.
• Over 400 registrations from nearly 60 countries were received in Stage 1. The final teams selected have each designed a Small Building demonstrating their construction technology innovation
• Buttcon is a 100% employee owned Canadian General Contractor who is recognized for high quality workmanship, innovative solutions and a fine-tuned ability to fast-track projects.

Horizon Legacy Group has received approval from the Town of Gananoque to build Canada's
first and largest 3D printed neighbourhood. Last night, in a unanimous vote, a Site Plan
Approval was granted for 6 buildings with up to 4 to be built in the first phase. The project,
two years in the making, represents the first step in using new construction technologies to
solve the problem of affordable housing.

"Our community has voted unanimously to support this initiative because we embrace
innovation and new ideas," says Ted Lojko, Mayor of Gananoque. "From day one, the
Horizon team has been stellar to work with and answered all of our questions. We are
satisfied that their plans will meet the requirements of our community," he says.

In addition to the technological and design solutions, the neighbourhood sets a new normal
in building sustainability. Horizon Legacy Group is announcing that all buildings will use
green energy for heating, cooling, and lighting; the majority of which will be powered by
on-site renewable energy.

Each building is approximately 1400 sq feet with one bachelor, one 1 bedroom, and one 2
bedroom. The neighborhood will be owned by Horizon Legacy and made available as rental
apartments.

Highlights

Horizon Legacy Group announces it will finance and build the first and largest 3D printed neighborhood in Canada, pioneering the use of robots and automation in multi-storey building construction.  This project is born out of the Marco Polo 100 Digital Build Challenge, the biggest construction technology innovation competition in North America.

 

On Wednesday, August 11, 2021, in an invitation only event, friends and family gathered to learn the winners of Stage 2. The winning teams are: 

The Marco Polo 100 Challenge was created to solve the problem of affordable housing by asking participants to design a multi storey building for $100/sq ft using new technologies and processes. The Challenge is unique in that it brings innovative ideas into the real world by constructing a building that satisfies existing market and regulatory standards. In addition to cash prizes, the Sponsor is offering up to $10M in funding, land and experts to support the teams.

 

In the next Stage, each team gets to work with an experienced team of architects, engineers, technology experts, and builder to fully develop their designs. Up to 6 unique buildings showcasing innovative construction technologies or processes will be built in Gananoque, Ontario.

 

 

• The Marco Polo 100 Digital Build Challenge is a technology competition to solve affordable housing by building a multi-residential building for $100/sq feet using new technologies and processes. Horizon Legacy Group, backers of the competition, is investing up to $10M and offering cash prizes and royalties to the winning submissions.

 

The Marco Polo 100 Digital Build Challenge achieves another major milestone. The beautiful community of Gananoque has been selected to host Stage 3 of the international competition to build affordable housing using new technologies and processes. Known as Gateway to the 1000 Islands, this water-front community of 5000 people is perfect for young families building their life and established families looking for a safe, quiet place to downsize, work or play.

 

Learn more

After receiving over 400 registrations from nearly 60 countries, 20 teams have been selected to advance to Stage 2 of the Marco Polo 100 Digital Build Challenge. Submissions were considered by a 12 member jury with expertise in construction, architecture, engineering, 3D printing, prefabrications, quantity surveying, and finance.

 

“We are overwhelmed by the response and interest we received. It exceeded our expectations,” says Nhung Nguyen, VP of Development. “Affordable housing is a global problem and we have to approach it with an open mind and innovative thinking,” says Anthony Zwig, President and CEO. “The solution lies with new technologies. We must be willing to chart a new course and change the traditional ways of doing things,” he said.

 

The Marco Polo 100 Digital Build Challenge is a technology competition to solve affordable housing by building a multi-residential building for $100/sq feet using new technologies and processes. Horizon Legacy Group, backers of the competition, is investing up to $10M and offering cash prizes and royalties to the winning submissions.

 

Teams selected to advance to Stage 2 were recognized for their potential to meet the Challenge objectives. In the next phase, teams are invited to expand their ideas with detailed plans showcasing their innovation and scaling it to a multi storey building.

 

Team	Country	Technology
3DPHC	Canada	3d printing
A3D Printer	Spain	3d printing
Apogee	Canada	Shipping containers
Architecture of Survival	Russia	Pre-fab, lightweight shelter
Big Foot	Russia	Light gauge steel framing
BILLINGS	Nigeria	3d printing, robotics
CONZZLE	Malaysia	Pre-fab
CyBe Construction	Netherlands	3d printing, robotics, pre-fab
Form Found Design	USA	Pre-fab, light gauge framing, robotics
Hivetat	USA	"Beehive"
Imprimere AG	Switzerland	3d printing
Kasuweri	Malaysia	Pre-fab
ModulusTech	Pakistan	Pre-fab
Mortar Board Homes	UK	Pre-fab
O-Cube	Canada	Pre-fab
Savantium	India	3d printing, pre-fab, air-inflation
Scoolpt	Czech Republic	3d printing
SPG eng	Chile	Construction resequencing
UBB-Chile	Chile	3d printing, concrete on frame
ZAO OBD	Russia	Pre-fab "lotus"