Rapid Learning Facility Proposal

Narrative

The current program of OSE is building an Apprenticeship program for the Seed Eco-Home to develop a core model of 24 builders capable of building one house in 5 days. Given the robust build cost of $85k in materials and labor (75% proven) for a 1000 hour build of a 1300 sf Seed Eco-Home at $60k materials budget that includes the 6kW of rooftop photovoltaics - we expect this system to be highly scalable. The 24 person crew is expected to produce about 50 homes per year, a package that can be replicated rapidly in different locations to reset the supply of housing stock to abundance.

The apprentices are signing up for a 4 year OSE program with intent of continuing with OSE on a program of lifelong learning. Students are encouraged to set their own pay by setting performance goals where competency is documented transparently in the Rapid Learning Facility.

The Rapid Learning Facility (RLF) is a facility of about 16 dedicated bays for learning, documentation, data collection, efficiency measurement, and production. It is part of a visual workplace that enables rapid learning via meticulously prepared environments where assembly and disassembly of modules and submodiules can take place in the most effective way possible, eather with teachers on with independent guidance. With each workstation containing a time lapse video setup, data logging, video broadcasting, and augemented reality QR codes on parts - students can learn rapidly either in a guided, online-guided, or independent study fashion while documenting their progress with time lapse videos and build logging. This is indispensible for rapid learning, continuous quality improvement, and multimodal. 3D printers are available to integrate 3D printing of specific parts from waste plastic using high temperature heated enclosures.

While students learn, all the sessions provide applied results. While learning, and going through a learning curve, why not produce a useful product at the end of the day? Because our RLF includes built-in quality control procedures, useful parts, modules, and submodules are made while the students are learning. Both remotely-guided and independently done quality control procedures can be used, with protocols that leave clear documentation such as pictures and measurements for later analysis and continuous learning.

Students collaborate with technical writers and produce AI-assisted video instructionals on teh builds of modules, such that each student is contributing to the development of content and design guides for continuous quality improvement. Over the 4 year persion, students branch into 3D design, 3D printing, welding builds.

Once the single operation of 24 work-study crews is demonstrated, then this enterprise-level module is available for widespread replication to other communities worldwide. Local builder/teachers and students can be recruited, while the cultural learning can be provided by the original OSE facility.

Budget Needs

• Core priority is 6 builder/teachers, and 18 apprentices for a crew of 24
• Microfactory Rapid Learning Facility Visual Workplace - 16 bays of rapid learning content for:
  • carpentry/tools/measurement/techniques/safety
  • electrical
  • plumbing+water system
  • PV
  • Concrete and foundation work
  • hardscaping and landscaping
  • siding and roofing
  • Finish carpentry
  • Appliances
  • welding
  • lime concrete kiln
  • Power Cube systems
  • Automation and remote control
  • Machines and Heavy Equipment - all supporting machine and equipment development. Welder, torch, and CNC torch table are the main tools here.
• Rapid Learning Facility is build from the existing workshop + 5000 sf solar workshop addition.
  • Each bay is designed for learning and production
  • Cell phone-based AR system is set up, with QR code scanning for augmented information.
• Technical Writer - $110k - Open Source Ecology/Open Building Institute Builder Book, 3D printing design curriculum
• CAD Draftsperson - $75k
• Marketing Video and ($1000/minute of video) - $175k
• ED - $75k