Singapore-based Homeqube is aiming to build 1,000 houses worth at least P1 billion in the Philippines in its first year of operations using advanced technologies including blockchain and artificial intelligence.
In a press briefing Homeqube Founder and CEO Jose Paolo Calma said they aim to address the housing crisis in the Philippines by making homebuilding faster and affordable for millions of Filipinos with an all-in-one platform.
Homeqube is using blockchain and artificial intelligence to disrupt the traditional home development business model, which has left the local market with around 6.5 million backlogs in residential spaces, with only 140,000 houses produced each year.
“Sustainable development has become a common talk among government and business leaders worldwide, and we are bringing that concept in the Philippine property sector with our homebuilding committed to regenerative living,” said Calma.
He noted that, the abundant use of steel and cement for homebuilding, which is too bulky and complex for transportation, leads to elevated land prices as demand shoots up with more people moving to urban areas.
Tapping these building materials also exposes homeowners to a longer lead time of about 18 months, and more expensive project costs due to logistics and middleman fees.
To address this, the group has made its Home Delivery Service online, empowering every Filipino to build on any type of acquired land—from beach lots, and farm fields, to residential subdivisions.
The service available on its website covers the permitting phase, the acquisition of materials over two to five months, and a swift 30-day installation and delivery.
Homqube has invested $1 million to put up a plant the produce materials that would allow easy configurations and adaptations, veering away from large-scale and costly renovations.
Using Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP), Homeqube is bullish about making strides in the industry as it produces lower carbon emissions, cuts the environmental footprint of building projects, and is the best choice for Assemble-to-Order manufacturing strategies.
While the GFRP is lightweight, it is tough and can withstand harsh weather conditions, including 310 kilometers per hour of strong winds. The material is also fireproof, terminte proof, and rust-proof, making it transportable via boat, allowing island habitats to sprout.
To ensure that the materials reach the targeted islands, Homeqube has also invested in a Carbon Kevlar Cargo boat, which boasts strong stability and carrying capacity.
With Homeqube’s well-designed home kits, gone are the days when builders had to bank on steel and cement to make solidly built homes. As long as the buyer has land, a home can be erected for as low as P1 million.
“By choosing materials that regenerate, we can create a more resilient and adaptable environment, ensuring that our built environment remains a testament to our evolving needs. In short, we can build regenerative homes anywhere and our homes can follow where we go,” Calma said.
Homeqube’s assembled houses are priced from P1 million for a 35 sqm., one-bedroom unit, to P15 million for a 400 sqm., six-bedroom unit. It can also build off-grid houses complete with solar power.