Sustainable Living Innovations

In 2008, in the wake of the financial crisis, two seasoned Seattle architects, Arlan Collins and Mark Woerman, saw an opportunity in the disruption. They founded Sustainable Living Innovations (SLI) to address a core problem: construction was too expensive and slow. Their vision was to create a building technology company, not just an architecture firm, that could revolutionize the built environment. The company developed a proprietary system of prefabricated panels. These weren't just walls; they were components pre-loaded with electrical wiring, plumbing, and mechanical systems. This approach aimed to dramatically shorten construction timelines, reduce waste, and lower labor costs. The initial idea, however, was a tough sell. Collins noted that despite their experience, no one was willing to take a risk on the new technology, forcing SLI to build the first project themselves to prove the concept. A significant turning point came in March 2023, when SLI signed a letter of intent for a business combination with Churchill Capital Corp V, a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC). This move signaled a potential path to the public markets and access to significant capital, validating over a decade of persistence. The deal aimed to fuel the company's growth in delivering sustainable, tech-enabled apartment buildings. However, public records from August 2023 show the company facing a lawsuit from stockholders, indicating a new set of challenges in its journey.