303: Scaling Affordable High-Performance Prefab with Rob Leonard

In this episode of the Passive House Podcast, Ilka Cassidy talks with Rob Leonard, a longtime builder and prefabrication specialist who helped develop the BuildSmart panel system and now leads PHIUS's Trades Training Program. Rob traces his path from decades in the field to pioneering panelized construction. Rob also shares what's next for industrialized offsite construction, from micro-factories to AI-assisted quality control, and reflects on workforce development as one of the most urgent challenges facing the building industry.

Beeson Acres Resources LLC: https://www.beesonacresresources.com/

Phius Trades Training Program to Help Shape the Future of Building: https://www.phius.org/phius-trades-training-program-help-shape-future-building

Virginia Tech Housing Innovation Challenge: https://arch.vt.edu/experiential-learning/FutureHAUS/housing-innovation-challenge.html

Expanding Industrialized Offsite Construction in Central Appalachia: https://cece.vt.edu/content/dam/cece_vt_edu/projects/Expanding%20industrialized%20offsite%20construction%20%28IOC%29%20in%20Central%20Appalachia.pdf

Connect with Rob:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-leonard-b2873010

https://www.phius.org/our-people/rob-leonard

Join us on the Reimagine Buildings Collective: https://collective.reimaginebuildings.com/

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