The changing world requires new, innovative solutions in housing construction. In this interview, Dmitriy Bovan, an architect and builder, talks about his developments in the technology of prefabricated energy-efficient houses.
The global prefab housing market is booming – projected to hit $198B by 2030, according to Mordor Intelligence’s latest industry analysis. This surge comes as the United States faces its worst housing affordability crisis in decades: Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies reports that a record-breaking 770,000 Americans experienced homelessness in 2024, while natural disasters caused $180 billion in damages, destroying thousands of homes and displacing communities nationwide.
In January 2025, the Los Angeles fires destroyed over 16,000 homes, exposing how slow traditional construction (18-36 months per home) fails after disasters. With over 60 million U.S. homes in disaster-prone zones, faster, resilient building methods are essential. Architect Dmitriy Bovan offers a solution: a metal-free wooden frame for prefabricated homes that cuts costs by 75% and assembles within a season. His approach eliminates metal fasteners entirely, creates structures that can be assembled in a single season rather than multiple years, and has already proven successful in diverse climates from tropical Bali complexes to energy-efficient homes that have weathered nearly a decade of harsh winters with minimal maintenance. In this interview, he explains how it works and how it can help meet urgent housing needs.
– Dmitriy, today the whole world is facing a serious challenge: how to quickly and economically rebuild housing in case of emergencies. Do you think a change in architectural thinking can be part of the solution?
— Definitely yes. Moreover, architecture should be part of the solution. We can no longer afford to build for a long time and expensively when it comes to people’s lives and safety. This is where the technologies of prefabricated, energy-efficient, and adaptive construction come into force. I have been developing such a system for many years: a framework that is lightweight but reliable, with minimal costs and maximum logic in every detail.
– New implementations are essential here, and the global modular housing industry is currently gaining momentum and becoming more in demand, especially after natural disasters. What do you think about this trend?
– It is a long-term shift. When floods or fires hit, people need homes fast. Modular buildings solve that: they are quick, low-waste, and energy-saving. Plus, people really like them because they save energy and create very little waste.
– You developed a unique approach to designing and constructing private homes and commercial buildings, tailored to challenging climates and limited budgets. How is it technically feasible for your innovative construction method to save 75% compared to traditional construction?
– I developed a metal-free wooden joint system that makes structures lighter, corrosion-resistant, and easy to assemble, even by non-specialists. Homes built this way use half the energy of brick houses and result in a savings of over 75% on construction. They do not require massive foundations, which is ideal for unstable soils. Traditional construction takes at least 3 years in advance, while my typical house is built within one season. I use eco-friendly materials with low toxicity, like insulated chipboard and drywall. My goal is to make housing fast, efficient, and affordable without sacrificing quality.
– Your approach is really unique, but it is fascinating to observe its operation in practice. How did you incorporate this into the design and construction of the family homes and beach clubs that you have been commissioned to build?
– My technology has been tested in practice from private homes to commercial sites. One example is an 800 m² family home with a workshop, pool, and garage, built between 2015 and 2021. It tested all aspects of my system and has stood for nearly a decade with low maintenance and heating costs. Another case is a wooden beach club, built quickly and on budget, yet durable and visually appealing. These projects showed me how to adapt my technology for both private and urban use, even with seasonal or budget constraints.
– As far as I know, you are a member of the closed association of business and cultural professionals. Are you going to join other associations? Does this mean that you have applied something similar in the international arena and have been recognized by the community?
– Yes, I am indeed a member of a closed association of business and cultural professionals who carry out their activities in the field of culture and business, based on voluntary membership and created to represent and protect common interests. In the future, I plan to expand my expertise and join other international associations. I intend to expand my international client base. In 2023, I completed an apartment complex in Bali. This was a large-scale project that included zoning, facade design, ventilation, and engineering. The focus was on creating a sustainable building that would adapt to the tropical climate, using natural ventilation, shading, minimizing air conditioning, and using local materials. The project has been sold to an investor and is part of the preparation for construction near an international school.
– In addition to your experience in construction, you also have a successful entrepreneurial background. Could you tell us why you decided to leave that business and pursue personal construction projects instead?
– From 2013 to 2022, I ran two grocery and construction stores, which I built and brought to stable income with 18 employees. I set up automated accounting and logistics, and grew turnover almost 8 times in 5 years. In 2022, I switched to a rental model, leasing space to a federal retailer, which raised net profit by 30%. I made this move to focus on a new project: a Scandinavian-style shopping town with cozy architecture and public space. This is a step toward my long-term vision.
– It is a valuable asset. How do you intend to further develop your business and enhance your skills in order to implement your plans?
– In the coming years, I plan to expand globally, open a workshop, and continue building prefab, energy-efficient homes. I am also exploring blockchain in real estate, creating a DAO where anyone can invest in housing projects. Smart contracts will automate funding, profit sharing, and property management. I aim to launch a management company using transparency and automation to improve accountability and customer satisfaction. Combining hands-on construction with digital tools can help people worldwide access real estate opportunities.
Dmitriy Bovan’s innovative impact is a new step in construction. His proprietary engineering solutions reduce the cost of construction and accelerate the implementation time by 3 times, which makes it possible to do without highly specialized workers. His approach is emulated by private developers, and he enjoys a reputation as a reliable and non-standard expert.
