NREL Submission - Business & Resources

Inception: Looking at American apartments, suburbia, and urban lifestyles and contrasting them with the concepts of sustainability.Found a dramatic dissonance. Current Structure: Brian Drake, Entrepreneur Management Team: TBD Intellectual Property: 5D (3D plus Time, and Cost) building models with integrated energy co-generation, bio-digestion; coupled with manufacturing processes for rapid, cost effective construction. Tangible Assets: Building Information Models (BIMs), System of mass-customization modular construction.

I started this back in the winter of 2007. My process improvement mind finally connected a bunch of dots when I realised - I can't stand apartment complexes. Not that I actually hate them - but they represent to me all that is wrong with modern dense living. They have buildings that have pavement between them creating a pedestrian hell where the best you can hope for is to not be assaulted by some stranger as you hurry to your car. If you live in a 'Luxury' apartment complex you get a gate, which does nothing, really it just looks more upscale. If you are willing to spend real money - you can get a garage so you don't have to worry any more about the neighbors.

But at no time are you encouraged to socialize. Your porches are screened for privacy and they are too far apart or pointed awkwardly. If you're headed to your car you're likely headed somewhere else and are not going to stop and say hi. And you are always headed somewhere else because we've segregated all the things we do into separate compartments - living over here - retail over here - industry tucked away near the freeway. To go to work - we drive. To go to the store - we drive. To do ANYTHING outside the home... we drive. Apartments have become the red-headed stepchild of suburban style zoning

These same issues apply to suburbia; but at least there you might be able to find sidewalks and yards. People walking by are by definition *not* headed out to run errands and the opportunity to get to know your neighbors exists. But we still have the problem that suburbia and apartments alike encourage inherently wasteful ways of life and in that suburbia easily trumps the apartment just due to keeping the yard green.

So... my process improvement brain said "There has to be a better way." An idea formed that perhaps... just perhaps with the right technology and design specifications we could do better for dense living.

Enter the GaiaShip. I'm not one to think small; and my passion for science fiction and technology told me nothing was really out of reach. I wanted it all - luxury; green; friendly; and high technology.

Over the last year I formed an LLC to be prepared. I knew from past experience with start-ups of my own that LLC's were ideal for investors. At the moment - with all the funding coming from my own wallet - I own it 100%. I fully anticipate giving up some of that stake once the right money is found.

But I'm not alone. I know I can't do this solo. I plied my network and found Mike Schoenfeld of DH Investment Company, a local land developer. What he tells me highlights the challenges faced by pursuing such a BIG problem, that there's a real market for pre-done engineering and is willing to join the team when I secure funding.

You may have noticed that I've been pointing at Michelle Kaufman's modular designs. In a recent communique she too wants to be on-board for this effort... once funding is secure.

With a Land Developer and the perfect Architect on board we fill two of my major experience gaps. My history is with technology, manufacturing and process engineering - typically automating processes that take humans a long time to do but computers can do in seconds. Over the course of my 10 year career at Dell, the projects I implemented or was a major contributor to cumulatively were saving Dell over $16 million per year. Most of that in pure time savings. With my expertise as an Entrepreneur (this is my 4th and largest startup) and my skills in technology, knowledge management, marketing, project management and even a little bit of sales; I'm ideally suited to manage the people and technology for the engineering firm that can make this happen.

I have yet to find the Soul Mate that Guy Kawasaki claims is necessary in Art of the Start but I'm open to any interested applicants. I would love to have someone as passionate about making a difference as I am. Someone to talk to, plan with and keep my feet planted firmly on terra firma.

About the company itself; the assets the company would command would be the model, the computers to run them on, and a social media site for publishing and interacting with the customers, the public at large, open source design contributors, students and the average Joe who wants to configure his dream condo. I liken this aspect of the site to the Dell.com computer configurator. So many times I've specked out my dream machine just to see how much it would cost. A configurator for a home should prove to be more attractive to the prospective home buyer than the computer one is for self-professed geeks.

I've talked a bit about the benefits of open sourcing parts of the model. Most of that revolves around the 3D structural design and surfaces. What the building is constructed out of: concrete, wood and steel. How it's all shaped and how it fits together to fit in a modular fashion. Any input from the public on these 'wigits' and how to build them would be welcome additions.

Key to maintaining a strong IP position though is keeping some of it back. What exactly is kept back will be a decision for down the road. However, I'm already thinking the integration of the municipal functions would be critical to keep secret (for security reasons too); the database and web site integration with sources & contractors that enable true fifth dimensional project planning... cost and time; and finally the knowledge of the manufacturing lines and processes to use for construction of the key structural components & wet-walls.

I've got a company, key players, a short and long term plan and a strong set of IP. I just need the funding to make it all come together.