VICTORIA — British Columbia is launching a new digital tool aimed at helping developers and non-profit organizations design and build prefabricated homes faster and more cost-efficiently.

B.C. Housing Minister Christine Boyle says the online platform for digitally accelerated standardized housing, or Dash, is a “game changer” for constructing three-to-six-storey buildings.

Lisa Helps, the executive lead for project origination with BC Builds, says Dash can help shift the residential construction industry from building mostly on-site to off-site by using prefabricated housing components and standardized designs.

She says the platform features a range of wood frame buildings, and an architect can select a design, position it on a lot, then use software to optimize the blueprint.

Boyle says the tool can save about fifty to sixty per cent of design time and about 20 to 25 per cent in construction costs.

Helps says design processes that would take an architect two to three weeks can be done in three to five minutes with Dash.

But Helps says architects do not need to worry about being replaced.

“What it does is it gives architects these new digital tools, and then frees up time for more creative work to make sure that these buildings fit beautifully into neighbourhoods,” said Helps.

For developers, architects and manufacturers, Boyle said the platform “means less red tape, faster approvals, and reduced costs.”

“For people and families, this means turning the key to a new and affordable home sooner,” said Boyle.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 20, 2025.

The Canadian Press