BOSTON — Reframe Systems, a Boston-based startup revolutionizing modular housing through the use of physical AI and robotics, has been awarded the 2025 Ivory Prize for Housing Affordability in the Construction & Design category. The annual national award, presented by Ivory Innovations, recognizes cutting-edge solutions that are not only innovative but also scalable and feasible in addressing the country’s deepening housing affordability crisis.
Reframe stood out among dozens of competitors for its unique network of micro-factories designed to locally fabricate modular, climate-resilient homes. These micro-factories automate much of the homebuilding process, significantly reducing construction timelines and costs. According to the company, its technology can cut build times by more than 50% and reduce construction costs by up to 35% compared to conventional building methods.
“This recognition from Ivory Innovations affirms what we’ve believed from the beginning, that solving the housing crisis requires not just more construction, but better, smarter construction,” said Vikas Enti, CEO and co-founder of Reframe Systems. “By integrating AI, robotics, and localized production, we’re rethinking how homes are built. Reframe's approach not only makes building faster and more affordable, but also produces homes that perform to meet the needs of today’s communities.”
Founded in 2022 by former Amazon Robotics leaders, Reframe Systems has drawn upon its founders’ automation expertise to tackle long-standing inefficiencies in the construction sector. The company’s proprietary platform and scalable factory model are already serving housing projects in New England and preparing to expand into fire-prone regions of California. Each factory can be established in just over three months and is optimized to adapt construction output to local zoning and environmental conditions, further reducing delays and emissions.
Clark Ivory, CEO of Ivory Homes and founder of Ivory Innovations, praised Reframe and other winners for pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the housing sector. “The 2025 Ivory Prize winners are bringing to market visionary approaches that push the boundaries of what’s possible in making housing more affordable,” said Ivory. “Through collaborative policy reform, groundbreaking construction approaches and innovative financial solutions, these leaders are turning the tide on one of our country’s most pressing challenges—housing affordability.”
Now in its sixth year, the Ivory Prize awards $300,000 annually across three key areas: Construction & Design, Finance, and Policy & Regulatory Reform. Previous winners have gone on to secure additional funding, scale nationally, and influence policy changes aimed at lowering housing costs.
Reframe’s modular, AI-integrated homes are designed not only for affordability but also for resilience and performance. By localizing production through micro-factories, the company minimizes reliance on long-haul shipping and scarce skilled labor — two major bottlenecks in the traditional building process.
As the housing affordability crisis continues to worsen — with supply shortages, high interest rates, and soaring material costs — Reframe’s solution is gaining attention from developers, municipalities, and investors alike. The startup is backed by a group of venture capital firms including Eclipse, Foundamental, Cubit Capital, and Saga VC.
“We created Ivory Innovations to combat the widening housing affordability gap by recognizing and funding real-world solutions that are addressing this growing crisis,” Ivory added.
For more information on Reframe Systems, visit reframe.systems. To learn more about the Ivory Prize and its mission to support innovation in housing, visit ivoryinnovations.org.
Originally reported by VSC for Reframe Systems in Construction Dive.