Do you have a solution, idea, or dream that could help solve the housing crisis? Register for the HIA's competition in Charlotte, North Carolina by December 12th!

In this conversation, Devon Tilly and co-host Dennis Steigerwalt chats with Bobby Vance and Richard King about affordable housing, solar powered cars, and the Housing Innovation Challenge! 

Our co-host Dennis is active in all things real estate with a specific focus on innovation in the residential development and homebuilding ecosystems. He is a ULI Residential Neighborhood Product Council member, a Professional Builder 40 under 40 recipient, and an active member of Geek Estate. In his spare time he enjoys big adventures with his wife and sons on the water and in the mountains. Dennis is the president of the Housing Innovation Alliance, a future oriented community for production homebuilding. The Housing Innovation Summit is the best place to get engaged + connected where you’ll gather insights + have a voice at each turn.

During Richard King's thirty-year career at the U.S. Department of Energy he initiated solar car racing in the United States, was a member of International Solar Car Federation, and in 1999 created the Solar Decathlon, an award-winning international competition to design and build solar-powered, sustainable houses. Richard King established Creative Energy LLC to provide promotion, support and planning for design competitions that advance technology, increase sales and improve quality of life.

As an architect, educator, and researcher, Bobby Vance bridges theory and practice, advancing design and construction innovation through academic and professional channels. He is an Assistant Professor in Building Design and a Fellow in the Center for Design Research at Virginia Tech. Through founding Vance Design Company, co-directing the Housing Innovation Challenge, and leading the award-winning FutureHAUS Dubai team, he has integrated interdisciplinary expertise, emerging technologies, and community-driven engagement. Vance’s research centers on industrialized off-site construction, with particular emphasis on modular and prefabricated systems that advance affordability, resiliency, and innovation. He fosters an inclusive learning environment where diverse perspectives are celebrated, students are empowered to take creative risks, and emerging technologies - modular construction, digital fabrication, and AI - serve as tools to prepare the next generation of designers to lead in an evolving profession.