Hexpressions: The Jaipur Startup Revolutionizing Affordable and Sustainable Housing

Imagine building a house that’s quick to assemble, eco-friendly, and easy on the pocket, all while reducing the environmental impact of construction. This vision has become a reality thanks to Hexpressions, a Jaipur-based startup founded in 2018 by architect duo Abhimanyu Singh and Shilpi Dua.

Hexpressions provides ready-to-assemble homes made from a revolutionary material called Composite Paper Honeycomb Panels. These panels are crafted using recycled paper arranged in hexagonal cells and sandwiched between cement boards or plywood. The result? A lightweight, durable, and sustainable building material that’s both fireproof and waterproof. The name "Hexpressions" signifies the expression of ideas through honeycombs, a nod to the hexagonal structure of their core material.

Affordable, Fast, and Green Housing

For most people, building a home is a costly and time-consuming process. But Hexpressions has cracked the code for faster, greener, and more affordable construction. Their pre-fabricated homes take just two weeks to assemble, compared to the months traditional housing requires. This technique also saves time and reduces the carbon footprint by up to 80%, making the material 100% eco-friendly.

“Our USP includes saving time and sustainability. The houses can be built in a matter of weeks compared to traditional methods, which take three to six months,” explains Abhimanyu. Hexpressions deploys a complete panel system, designing, packaging, and assembling homes on terraces, farmlands, or any other site as required.

At a Glance

• Startup Name: Hexpressions
• Founders: Abhimanyu Singh and Shilpi Dua
• Founded: 2018
• Location: Jaipur
• Sector: Housing
• Core Idea: Providing sustainable, eco-friendly, and affordable homes
• Funding: Bootstrapped

The Strength of a Honeycomb

The key to these homes’ durability lies in their honeycomb design. The hexagonal cells, inspired by nature, make the panels exceptionally strong—capable of withstanding loads of up to 100 kgs per square foot. These panels are also soundproof, shock-absorbent, and suitable for diverse climates and conditions.

This innovative technology has been used to construct homes, shops, and portable toilets. One of their customers, Kultar Singh, a retired banker, had a shop built in just three days for under ₹90,000. The shop now earns him a monthly rent of ₹12,000. “If I had opted for traditional construction, it would have cost more and taken much longer. With Hexpressions, the process was quick and hassle-free,” shares Kultar.

An MVP model of a 36-square-meter house, complete with a bedroom, kitchen, dining area, and toilet for a family of four, can be assembled in a week, costing approximately ₹6 lakh (excluding taxes and logistics). Watch how these homes come to life.

A Dream That Started with Paper

Shilpi and Abhimanyu’s journey began during their college years, where they discovered their shared passion for sustainable design. After completing their Bachelor’s degree in Architecture in 2008, they pursued Master’s degrees abroad—Shilpi in Milan and Abhimanyu in Bengaluru. During their studies, they explored innovative materials like honeycomb panels.

Their big break came in 2017 when they won a grant from a German business incubator. They used this opportunity to develop their idea further and launched Hexpressions the following year. Initially experimenting with honeycomb designs for furniture and lamps, they realized its potential as a building material after successfully constructing a 30 ft high, 106 ft long structure in Bengaluru.

Recognition and Support

Hexpressions has garnered accolades for its innovative approach. Abhimanyu won the “Entrepreneur of the Year Award” at the TiE Global Summit in 2018. The startup is incubated by Rajasthan’s iStart initiative, which provides them with co-working space, mentorship, and industry guidance.

Building Blocks and Future Plans

Currently in the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) stage, Hexpressions plans to officially enter the market soon. The startup focuses on B2B collaborations, working with organizations involved in housing and re-housing projects. In the next phase, it aims to target B2C customers, offering solutions for individuals who own land and want to build affordable shelters quickly. They’re also developing portable smart toilets with solar panels under the Swachh Bharat Mission and eco-friendly cottages for resorts.

Currently bootstrapped, the startup relies on grants and awards but is actively seeking investors. The founders initially invested ₹12 lakh and aim to capture 2.5% of the Indian housing market around 4 lakh units by 2022. They also plan to expand into furniture and rental homes while continuing to explore innovative materials.

“We want to make green homes accessible to everyone. By combining affordability, sustainability, and innovation, we hope to inspire a future where housing leaves a smaller carbon footprint,” says Shilpi.

For those dreaming of a home that’s kind to the planet and easy on the wallet, Hexpressions is lighting the way. one honeycomb panel at a time.