How it Works
One PlatformOne App
PROTO HOMES IS AN INDUSTRIALIZED HOMEBUILDING PLATFORM.
The PROTO PLATFORM simplifies every step of the homebuilding process by providing everything you need for your build: from planning, design development and permitting to the building materials and components, as well as easy-to-follow assembly instructions and post-occupancy services.
Homes created through the PROTO PLATFORM are assembled on site using a set of easy-to-install smart components, eliminating the need for highly-specialized subcontractors.
This revolutionary approach streamlines the home building process while allowing for design flexibility and avoiding the limitations common to other modular and prefab home building solutions.
The PROTO PLATFORM is accessible directly through the PROTO APP.
BUILDING ON PROTO PLATFORM
The PROTO PLATFORM supplies and supports every project at the five key points of its lifecycle — Design, Permitting, FACTORS™, Assembly, and Post-Occupancy.
ARCHITECTURE AND ENGINEERING IS INCLUDED
Each structure built through the PROTO PLATFORM is designed for a specific site, utilizing Proto Homes’ algorithmic design system, using our proprietary components. All structural and MEP engineering is included, as well as submittal sets for permitting. Our Client Managers will guide you through this process. Depending on your jurisdiction, we can also provide referrals should your project require any other building professionals or consultants.
SUBMITTAL IS MADE EASY, DOCUMENTS ARE PROVIDED
Once the design of your project is set, we provide you with the architectural drawings and the necessary engineering for the submittal set. Would your local health and safety department require modifications or corrections on our drawings, we will provide them at no charge.
Depending on your project location, other departments such as the Coastal Commission, or Public Works, etc. may have specific requirements and additional approval processes. If your local jurisdiction requires other consultants, or should you need help generating site-specific plans and documents not supported by the PROTO PLATFORM — e.g., survey, landscape plans, soil reports, civil engineering, etc. — our Client Managers may be able to recommend local building professionals who can help with these documents and the permitting process.
A NEW WAY TO BUILD
After the building permit is obtained, all of the necessary components and building materials for your new PROTO HOME will be sourced from our Southern California factory and fulfillment center in downtown Los Angeles.
The components and building materials for your project are organized into groupings we call FACTORS™. These FACTORS are at the center of the PROTO PLATFORM and consist of a selection of 130 standard and proprietary PROTO components, 35 project-specific parametric components and 450 carefully curated building materials.
Every PROTO HOME is divided into 34 FACTORS, and each FACTOR corresponds to a specific step in the building process.
The FACTORS are indexed to the construction process and numbered accordingly, e.g. FACTOR 2 will contain all of the materials necessary for building the foundation, FACTOR 3 will enable you to complete the concrete slab, FACTOR 8 will cover all of the interior walls and ceilings, and so on.
Manage Your Projects Easier
Each FACTOR is then divided into stages in order to make projects more manageable on site and assembly more precise. At every stage, we provide the corresponding components and building materials along with detailed drawings, specs, and assembly instructions. Every individual item in every FACTOR is also tagged with a unique QR code, making each item easy to identify, track, and install via the PROTO APP’s QR scanner.
NOTE: the PROTO PLATFORM does NOT provide assembly services, or any components, products, or services for interior finishes and site work.
To learn more about FACTORS™ download the PROTO APP for iPhone or Android.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT, STREAMLINED
Once the required permits are pulled and the building site is prepared, you are ready to build and can schedule the delivery of your components. Within two weeks, you can have FACTOR 1, at your site. The subsequent FACTORS are manufactured in stages and are ready for shipment AS NEEDED, according to a schedule set by your builder, not all at once; this minimizes the risk of loss or damage and the need for long term or inclement weather storage solutions.
Each shipment will include every component and building material necessary for a given stage of construction, down to the last roll of tape, allowing you and your crew to focus on building rather than procurement.
Locally sourced materials such as concrete and gravel would be provided by your builder and not included in FACTORS.
FULL CONTROL WITH THE PROTO APP
The PROTO APP will guide you through the entire building process step-by-step, simplifying project management, and assembly through its BUILD tool. Schedule and track all FACTOR deliveries, catalog every component and building material that arrives on site using the QR scanner, and access an easy-to-navigate, interactive 3D model of your building along with detailed assembly instructions all within the PROTO APP.
The PROTO APP will also serve as a comprehensive information library for your build and is capable of providing real time snapshots of the project’s progress, including what comes next and what remains to be done.
THE FUTURE OF HOME OWNERSHIP
Once the project is complete, the PROTO PLATFORM will serve as the home’s central information hub. Through the PROTO APP, you will be able to easily access all of the construction details and specs as well as catalog any upgrades, modifications, or significant events that might impact the house throughout the years. The PROTO APP offers tech support from day one and provides a simple, intuitive interface for controlling all of the smart features of your new home, as well as significant maintenance information for the homeowner.
SELLING YOUR PROTO HOME
Should you ever decide to sell your PROTO HOME, the PROTO APP will be able to provide potential buyers with a clear picture of the history of the home, including its features and any other pertinent information, giving them a level of transparency and confidence they’ll be unlikely to find with other listings.
After you sell your PROTO HOME, you can easily transfer access to the PROTO APP to the new owners so they, too, will be able to enjoy the full benefits, services, and features of their new PROTO HOME.
WITH THE PROTO PLATFORM, YOU CAN WORK WITH OUR TEAM TO CREATE A NEW PROJECT. IF YOU HAVE YOUR OWN ARCHITECT AND FLOOR PLANS, OUR TEAM CAN WORK WITH YOU TO SEE IF YOUR DESIGN CAN WORK WITH OUR SYSTEM PARAMETERS.
Use the PROTO APP to:
- Access your building design, renderings, permits and other important documents.
- Track the production and shipment status of the prefabricated components and building materials, down to the last roll of tape and wire nut.
- Access all project management information, including assembly instructions, plans and specs and updates.
- Monitor and manage the home post-occupancy, including access to smart home functionalities, maintenance information and product specifications.
- Transfer home details and any data collected throughout the lifecycle of the home to new owners, in the event of a sale.
Your project will receive the following:
Floor plans, elevations, sections, MEP design, structural engineering plans, for your specific site.
Proto Homes provides the A&E plans and calculations for your submittal set.
Depending on your local jurisdiction, you may be required to provide certain site-specific documents that are not supported by the PROTO PLATFORM. Depending on your jurisdiction, we can also provide referrals should your project require other building professionals or consultants.
Everything you need to construct your building — including foundation, framing, infrastructure, waterproofing, windows, exterior cladding, and smart home technology — is pulled from a set of 130 standard and proprietary PROTO components and 35 types of project-specific and parametric PROTO components manufactured at our factory in downtown Los Angeles.
Each of these smart components is tagged with its own unique QR code (accessible via the PROTO APP) containing all of the information you’ll need to track, identify, and assemble the component on site.
Besides prefabricated components, the necessary building materials including slab waterproofing, temporary bracing, wire nuts, staples, and subfloor glue, etc. are also included. The materials provided by Proto Homes are also individually tagged with a unique QR code.
NOTE: The PROTO HOMES does NOT provide assembly services or any components and services for site work and interior finishes. Locally sourced materials such as concrete and gravel would be provided by your builder and not included in FACTORS™ shipments.
The PROTO APP is your key to the PROTO PLATFORM, unlocking full access to:
FACTOR™ FLOW
A simple way to manage all of your project’s FACTORS, directly through the PROTO APP. FACTORS are the PROTO PLATFORM’s groupings of the specific smart components and other building materials you’ll need for every stage of your build.
The PROTO APP makes it easy to schedule FACTORS shipments, as needed. PROTO APP’s QR scanner enables you to quickly catalog each item in the shipment and access its assembly instructions.
ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
Easy-to-follow instructions for assembling the entire building step-by-step, accessible via the PROTO APP’s QR scanner and the unique QR codes assigned to every smart component and building material needed for your build.
ICBC VIEW
An interactive, fully-explodable, live 3D model of your project that gives you a detailed, comprehensive picture of every aspect of your building.
POST-OCCUPANCY SERVICES
An easy-to-access information library containing all original data, documents, plans and pertinent information, e.g., usage, maintenance, modifications, etc. that gets accumulated throughout the lifecycle of the home, as well as smart home controls and tech support.
Proto Homes does not provide assembly services. However, depending on the project location, we may be able to connect you with general contractors in your area who are in our AFFILIATE program. If you already have a builder who is not a PREFERRED PROTO BUILDER or associated with our PROTO AFFILIATE program, we can offer onsite training as well.
Use the app to connect with our team and get more information on training, if you are a developer or a building professional who wants to be a part of our Affiliate Program.
If you are a homeowner and have your own general contractor, we can provide training to your GC, once you are under contract.
Download the PROTO APP for iPhone or Android.
HOW DO YOU START?
Our team is available to guide you through the PROTO process and answer any questions you may have. The best way to learn about the PROTO PLATFORM is to download the PROTO APP, explore a sample project and connect with our staff.
The best way to get to know the PROTO PLATFORM is through the PROTO APP. There, you will find everything you need to know about our process, our prices and products, including a sample project.
Interested in learning more? Use the app to connect with our team.
Download the PROTO APP for iPhone or Android.
This is the first step toward building your PROTO HOME. It is also a way of kicking the tires on the PROTO process, before the big commitment. The PROTO PASS gives you access to the full support of the PROTO team as you plan your build. Should you choose to proceed, the PROTO PASS fee would be fully credited toward the cost of your final build.
Download the PROTO APP for iPhone or Android.