I traveled to beautiful New Hampshire in April to visit Jason Van Nest and his Logic Building Systems studio. I had a great conversation with Jason and learned why his new company could bring needed change to the offsite construction industry.

Jason Van Nest

When it comes to innovation in architectural design and offsite construction, few names stand out as prominently as Jason Van Nest. With a keen eye for blending cutting-edge technology with sustainable building practices, Jason has carved out a niche in the industry that’s both forward-thinking and deeply rooted in practical application. His work not only pushes the boundaries of what’s possible but also challenges conventional norms, making him a leading voice in the conversation about the future of construction.

In this interview, I delve into Jason’s innovative Logic Building Systems. From his early days of architectural exploration to his current role as a thought leader in offsite construction, Jason shares insights that are as inspiring as they are informative. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or new to the field, his perspective offers valuable takeaways for anyone interested in the evolving landscape of modern construction.

Gary Fleisher: What inspired you to create Logic Building Systems, and how did you come up with the initial concept for this innovative approach to construction?

Jason Van Nest: Logic exists to commercialize years of research done at New York Tech’s Center for Offsite Construction.

I had been a consultant to the US modular industry for years, and seen smart friends and colleagues struggle to remain profitable using the techniques we call “Modular 1.0.” Unfortunately, our colleagues were forced to use a lot of “indoor construction” techniques to advance offsite construction, and the core benefits of manufacturing were still elusive.

Logic brings the practices of “Modular 2.0” to the US construction industry. We’re collaborating with the Center to introduce a standardized “coupler” that converts any dwelling unit into a home that can accept modular kitchens, bathrooms, and utility rooms. We are offer the industry’s first modules that plug-and-play with that coupler. Developers can buy a kitchen from a website, enjoy price transparency with an MSRP, and have tenants cooking dinner minutes after delivery! 

We know others will bring their own modules to interface with the standardized coupler – interoperability is the point! The US faces a worsening affordable housing crisis and evolving the industry to Modular 2.0 is how everyone can get more productive and build our way out of this challenge! 

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Gary: What were some of the biggest challenges you faced during the development of Logic Building Systems, and how did you overcome them?

Jason: In an industry where it takes an average of 23 subcontractors to deliver a home, the answer is always “collaboration.”

Here is a general industry and a company-specific challenge, there are many more we’re still working on!

The biggest general-industry challenge is the relative wariness toward offsite construction with the billion-dollar failures of Katerra, Veev, etc. Before 2021, more developers had the experimental stance of early adopters. Since then, everyone wants to be a second customer. Who can blame them?! 

Developers have grown more comfortable when they learn about Logic’s alliance-building stance — requiring us to partner, where these firms used to hire. We explain how developers can still tap all their same GCs and subs, not abandon whole project delivery models. Empowering all the customer’s own skills and relationships makes the difference.

A company-specific challenge was responding to customer’s request for price transparency. Developers are tired of bid surprises, change orders, and widening contingencies. We asked “Why cant we put an MSRP on our website, like car companies do?!” (By the way, today, every module now has one at the top of its project page.)

Again, the answer was collaboration. The products with an MSRP easily interface with other products. Early smartphones interface with power/data with a USB plug. US Toasters have a standard 3-prong cord. All today’s pod manufactures design this interface per project. We’re working with the Center to standardize an interface, which gives Logic the ability to skip most of the re-design, and offer unprecedented price transparency.

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Gary: Can you explain the core technology behind of Logic Building Systems and how it differentiates from other modular construction methods available in the market?

Jason: Logic’s core technology is working with people who are energetic, curious and engaged. Such smart people are always the engine that make innovation work, regardless of the industry.

I’m old enough to have put forward YCombinator and TechStars applications together for my teams’ software in the aughts. It look a lot of exploration to realize that software couldn’t cure the 100-year old means of production that hampers US construction.

I also hold US and international patents for construction assemblies. In design and construction, patents are easy to navigate around, and hard to enforce.

The key evolving our industry will be building company and customer relationships that make everyone more productive and profitable. 

That takes and open mind, energy to do exploratory work, and the willingness to keep showing up. 

Gary: How has of Logic Building Systems evolved since its inception, and what are some of the significant milestones you have achieved so far?

Jason: Like good all startups, Logic started as a long feasibility study. 

It took 18 months of interviews, research, reading, and re-starts. It wasn’t enough to ask, “What is holding US offsite construction back?” We need to know the answer to, “How have other industries addressed these challenges?” to know if we were on to something.

The first Senior Research Fellows at the Center for Offsite Construction were naturally the folks who had been heavily engaged in the study. They helped found the Center, define its charter projects, and fund the open-source efforts.

In many ways, starting Logic was “step six” after all that other groundwork had matured. 

We’re finalizing Logic’s functional and manufacturing prototypes in Q3 and Q4 of 2024, simply to complete the go-to market strategy we mapped a year ago. We’re having advanced first-customer talks now. 

Gary: What are your plans for Logic Building Systems, and how do you envision this technology impacting the construction industry in the next 5 to 10 years?

Logic’s goal is to drive down the cost of US affordable housing nationwide. 

In the short term, we are refining our supply chain, and module assembly processes, to quickly partner with other manufacturers and reach markets nationwide.

On the 5-10-year timescale, Logic will implement the entire scope and vision of the Center for Offsite Constructions “Modular 2.0” vision. We’ll offer interface products that empower builders with unimaginable interoperability. We’ll offer modular products that establish a new normal of price transparency. In doing so, we’ll help other modular companies offer whole product platforms, not just design services.

That effort lays the groundwork for Logic software to bring it all together. Designers will easily connect large-scale building products into a single site-specific building. Then order it with a fixed price, reliable timeline, reliable installers, and with the click of a button. 

We wake up every day to make this future happen ASAP. Anyone interested in joining the project should contact me at the Center or Logic. 

Gary: Jason, I want to thank you for your time and especially for letting us peek behind the scenes of what may become an integral part of the offsite construction industry in the next few years.

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