Self-performing developer Blokable taps KPFF to lead structural engineering for its unique multi-story prefab housing system

SEATTLE, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Blokable, the self-performing housing developer that builds high-quality, low-cost, and connected housing at scale, has selected KPFF, the multi-discipline engineering firm, to serve as the preferred structural engineering partner for Blokable projects. The two companies are working together to expand prosperity and equity in communities—bringing KPFF’s structural expertise to Blokable’s vertically integrated development platform and prefab building system. KPFF will provide accredited structural advisory and oversight to help Blokable quickly and cost-effectively develop beautiful, comfortable, and modern housing where it’s needed most. With KPFF now on board as a partner, Blokable is expanding the capability of its prefab system to three-story and taller communities, in multiple jurisdictions, and across varying seismic zones, wind loads of up to 150 mph in C Exposure, and soils to D, E, and F Types.

Blokable’s project partners include land owners, investors, and nonprofit housing service providers who are looking for less costly and more efficient alternatives to traditional market rate development or who want to broaden access to affordable and work-force housing in their communities. Blokable has reinvented the development process with a global first—a vertical platform that integrates financing, permitting, siting, design, manufacturing, delivery, and ongoing support into one transparent and easily managed service. By offering the entire real estate development stack, Blokable can drastically cut overall project time and slash project costs as well as reduce long-term operating costs. Within days of the initial planning meetings, the Blokable team provides the customer with an overview of the entire process, including renderings, schedules, and costs.

“Blokable is scaling up our platform to meet the acute demand for a new housing development paradigm up and down the West Coast,” said Nelson del Rio, Co-CEO of Blokable. “Because housing needs vary regionally and locally, our building system must adapt to site specifics. We are pleased to have a structural partner like KPFF, a storied firm who understands our building system and can quickly and efficiently design our work on a per-project basis.”

The proprietary Blokable Building System, implemented in the company’s factory in Vancouver, Washington, unlocks previously unavailable efficiencies through just-in-time manufacturing of standardized, prefab housing components called Bloks, which can be easily combined and stacked into a variety of custom configurations—including high-density, multi-story residential.

“KPFF is pleased to offer our decades of engineering experience to help Blokable leverage its unique platform and technology in its goal to dramatically expand access and affordability of housing in the U.S.,” said Roger Young, Managing Principal, KPFF.

Whenever Blokable completes a building plan, it is required by law to demonstrate that it meets or exceeds all building requirements for the local jurisdiction. As an accredited structural engineering firm, KPFF will produce and stamp all structural plans. The structural design must also account for the unique flexibility of Blokable buildings, which are delivered to customers as pre-built modular components and assembled into a wide variety of configurations. The completed buildings must be fully enclosed, waterproof, compliant with local seismic and wind standards, and compatible with final architectural elements like cladding and decking, without compromising the building envelope.

“KPFF is not only reviewing our plans, they are a trusted advisor as we continue to push the boundaries of what the Blokable Building System can do,” said Aaron Holm, Co-CEO of Blokable. “With KPFF as our structural partner, we know our vision for a new housing development paradigm is supported by quality engineering, and our customers can be assured they are working with the very best.”

About Blokable

Founded by real estate and technology industry veterans, Blokable is a self-performing housing developer that expands prosperity and equity in communities by building high-quality, low-cost, connected housing at scale. Blokable offers the world’s first vertically integrated housing development platform—from financing, permitting, and siting, to building design, manufacturing, delivery, and ongoing support. For real estate owners and investors, nonprofit housing service providers, and municipalities, Blokable offers a compelling alternative to the costly and inefficient traditional development process. By turning development into a transparent, precise, and easily managed service, Blokable also disrupts housing creation models that maximize industry profits at the expense of communities. Blokable’s one-stop solution de-risks and accelerates the construction of affordable and modern housing where it is needed most, while giving its partners and customers absolute certainty on cost, product, and quality from Day One.

Find out more at www.blokable.com. Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

About KPFF

KPFF is a multi-office, multi-discipline engineering firm, partnering with the world’s most thoughtful professionals to engineer extraordinary places. Founded in 1960 by Al Kelly in Seattle, the firm is driven by a commitment to our core values of Excellence, Trust, Relationships, Stability, and Passion; defining our professional practice, how we are organized and our commitment to our clients and employees.