Interview With Jackson Wyatt, CABN CEO And Founder

Today we are excited to share an interview with CABN CEO and founder Jackson Wyatt. A social entrepreneur, Jackson started CABN after the successful acquisition of Greenlid, the global sustainable products company seen on CBC's Dragons Den.

We sat down with Jackson to learn more about what inspired him to start CABN and what continues to motivate him as we move forward in the sustainable, net-zero housing space.

Sustainability has long been a passion for Jackson Wyatt, one that he's worked to share with others. The development of patented technology for Greenlid launched the company from compost bins to a comprehensive product line devoted to minimizing plastic waste in everyday life. Recognizing that education was just as important as the product, Jackson developed workshops for Canadian students, teaching them about the power of composting and environmental health. This blend of design and education inspired Jackson to investigate new ways to approach housing in Canada, a comprehensive systemic approach to sustainable housing.

Jackson strives to improve universal quality of life while minimizing the impact on the planet through the use of technology. He believes that a greater difference in the world can be made by "designing systems that help millions of people make consistent positive environmental decisions, rather than focus on one person making a complete change."

When the COVID-19 pandemic began, there was a massive societal shift in how people wanted to work, play, and live, particularly with so many working remotely. People wanted a beautiful setting while they worked and lived at home, and Jackson felt the same way.

The vision was to create a home that worked in tandem with nature. Motivated by his passion for creating sustainable products while mindful of the threat of climate change, Jackson developed early concepts for CABN. However, he understood that other Canadians might hesitate to invest in sustainable housing– misconceptions about the cost, quality of life, and location keep people in traditional homes. From day one, it was essential to design "better systems that make sustainable housing not only easier but more affordable."

Using his expertise in manufacturing, shipping, and sustainability, Jackson founded CABN. Working with a team of industry experts, he developed a technology to offer affordable and sustainably-built off-grid housing that can be assembled anywhere, even in difficult-to-construct locations.

CABN's patent-pending Energy Informed Design (EID) process is one of the elements that excite him the most. EID, plus integrated renewable energy, mechanical systems, innovative materials, and building techniques, create a home that is truly the means to rapid, attainable and sustainable housing for anyone, anywhere.

Quality of life and accessibility were critical considerations in the development of CABN, dismantling economic, geographic, and cultural barriers to safe and appropriate housing. He believes "we need to surpass our carbon, energy, and building capacity goals across the world while acknowledging that housing is a human right. Through advanced technologies and strategies, we can meet our goals.”

According to Jackson, "the CABN design approach is not just for a select few people– entire communities can apply it, leveraging different uses that we have yet to discover.” We've seen this in upcoming CABN developments, where regional and cultural considerations are integrated into the design and energy profiles of CABN structures.

CABN's unique application of leading technologies, combined with the integration of the natural environment, has opened the door for more sustainable and attainable homes. Jackson sums it up perfectly in one word: GESTALT, a term for something where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. CABN's holistic impact on the world is more significant than the individual technology and design choices.

This word reflects CABN's purpose; Jackson shares that "materials, manufacturing, shipping, assembly, mechanical systems, renewable energy systems, and biophilia are all in an integrated system design that uses precision data analysis to optimize it further."

Many competitors will focus on just a few aspects, whether rapid construction, aesthetics, or cost, but "CABN focuses on integrating all of these elements of design and technology into a home that's whole is greater than the sum of its parts."

The vision for CABN is an exciting one, and the development of it includes so many exceptional elements. The future applications of CABN in communities across Canada– we, along with Jackson, can’t wait to see what the future holds for CABN. Our hope is that CABN helps more people live anywhere, live balanced, and live sustainably.