EP 212: Elevating Housing Beyond Boxes: Designing with Dignity with Charles Bloszies

Exit Strategies Radio Show

This month we’ve explored modular construction from the ground up — financing, DIY systems, community scale, and stigma-busting. But in this episode, we step into the human soul of modular housing.

Architect-engineer Charles Bloszies brings a fresh, humanitarian lens to offsite construction. He doesn’t just build units—he designs legacies. Chuck’s work in transitional, interim housing and his hybrid modular / prefabricated approach reveal how design, context, and care can distinguish mere shelter from a sanctuary.

What makes this episode different:

• We explore how modular can restore dignity, especially in homelessness response.

• Rather than technology-first, we center mission-first design philosophy.

• We talk about coordination risk, vendor realities, and hybrid systems — not just ideal scenarios.

• We consider architecture as a contributor to community fabric, legacy, and calm environments.

Key Takeaways:

• 4:12 — The philosophical shift: modular as a tool for dignity, not just efficiency.

• 7:43 — Collaboration is essential: architects, vendors, planners, community all at the table.

• 10:09 — The origin story: how Chuck’s wife’s hospital work sparked his social housing focus.

• 13:02 — The Redwood City modular project: a 240-bed modular housing campus and lessons from the field.

• 17:01 — The horizon: hybrid systems and mass timber as modular tools of the future.

• 21:03 — Micro touches that matter: “mean design” vs. nurturing materials, corner windows in small units.

Connect with Charles:

• Website: https://archengine.com/

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-bloszies-3956748

• Email Address: [email protected]

Connect with Corwyn:

• Contact Number: 843-619-3005

• Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/exitstrategiesradioshow/⁠

• FB Page:⁠ https://www.facebook.com/exitstrategiessc/⁠

• Youtube:⁠ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxoSuynJd5c4qQ_eDXLJaZA⁠

• Website:⁠ https://www.exitstrategiesradioshow.com⁠

• Linkedin:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/cmelette/⁠

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