When most teenagers are focused on exams and social media, 18-year-old Ribal Zebian is busy revolutionizing how we think about homelessness solutions. This remarkable Ontario engineering student has designed an innovative modular tiny home system that could transform lives in his community and beyond.

Zebian's journey into humanitarian engineering started early. At just 17, his passion for building led him to construct a child-scale wooden Mercedes G-class complete with working electronics, which he generously donated to a museum. But his latest project reflects an even deeper purpose: creating dignified, weatherproof housing for London, Ontario's 1,800 homeless residents.

What makes Zebian's approach truly special is the thoughtfulness behind every detail. His precision fiberglass panels come with built-in utility cavities and can be quickly assembled into modular structures of various sizes. The ceiling features insulated cores made from PET plastic that not only support the roof structure but are designed to withstand Canada's harsh weather conditions year-round.

"I'm concerned about the people in the future that will end up facing that problem, because house prices are increasing and increasing," Zebian explained to CTV News. His forward-thinking perspective shows wisdom beyond his years, recognizing that today's housing crisis will only intensify without innovative solutions.

The Western University student is so committed to perfecting his design that he's planning something extraordinary: beginning in May, he'll live in one of his modular homes for an entire year. This hands-on approach will allow him to experience every season, identify any flaws, and make improvements based on real-world testing. It's this dedication to excellence that makes his project so promising.

Zebian firmly believes his design can be mass-produced affordably, making it a scalable solution for cities struggling with homelessness. He's not alone in seeing the potential of tiny homes as part of the answer. Gary Brown, a London affordable housing advocate, acknowledges that while tiny homes aren't a complete solution, they're an important piece of the puzzle.

"I've seen quite a few going up in other cities, and it's something London itself is kind of lagging behind a little bit," Brown noted, suggesting that Zebian's innovation could help his city catch up with progressive housing initiatives elsewhere.

What shines through in Zebian's story is the power of young people to create meaningful change. Rather than simply studying engineering in theory, he's applying his skills to address real human needs in his community. His project demonstrates how innovation, compassion, and determination can combine to tackle even society's most challenging problems.

As housing costs continue to climb and homelessness remains a pressing issue in cities across North America, solutions like Zebian's modular homes offer genuine hope. They remind us that sometimes the most transformative ideas come from young minds willing to think differently and act boldly.

Zebian's journey is just beginning, but his impact is already being felt, inspiring others to consider how their talents might serve the greater good.