Teen to Live in 1-Day Home for a Year to Test It

Ribal Zebian isn't just designing homes for people in need. He's betting a year of his life on it.

The 19-year-old engineering student from London, Ontario, created a modular home made from fiberglass panels and foam that can be built in a single day. Now he's moving into one himself to test every detail across all four seasons.

Zebian was inspired by the growing number of unhoused people in his hometown and the rising cost of housing that's putting shelter out of reach for many Canadians. His solution combines speed with affordability without sacrificing quality or design.

The home uses fiberglass panels that can be molded and replicated quickly, along with thermoplastic PET foam for the roof instead of traditional construction methods. This approach makes the homes faster to build while maintaining structural integrity through harsh Canadian winters.

But Zebian doesn't want these homes to look temporary or uninviting. He's designing them with architectural features and customizable options so residents can feel pride in their space, not just gratitude for a roof overhead.

His year-long experiment will reveal every flaw and advantage. By living through summer heat, winter cold, spring rain, and fall wind, Zebian can optimize the design before approaching manufacturers with a proven product.

The Ripple Effect

Zebian is honest about what his invention can and cannot do. These modular homes won't solve the housing crisis on their own, but they can provide immediate shelter while communities work on long-term policy reforms.

His approach shows how engineering can meet urgent human needs with both speed and dignity. If his experiment succeeds, it could inspire similar solutions in communities across Canada and beyond where people are struggling to find affordable housing.

The teenager already made headlines in 2025 for building an electric car from wood, earning him a $120,000 scholarship to Western University. Now he's using that same innovative spirit to tackle an even more pressing challenge.

By spring 2026, Zebian will know whether his modular homes can truly work as a bridge solution for people facing homelessness. His willingness to live the experience himself shows the kind of commitment that turns bold ideas into real change.