Modulus Housing social impact began with a question asked during crisis. In 2015, when Chennai floods displaced millions, three IIT-Madras students saw a gap that relief work did not address. Families who lost homes often waited years for permanent housing. That delay shaped the idea behind Modulus Housing.

Founded in 2018 by Shreeram Ravichandran, Gobinath P, and Jawahar Rajasekar, Modulus Housing focuses on fast, low-rise, pre-fabricated buildings. These structures serve as transition shelters, health centres, and public facilities in areas where speed and access matter most.

The Idea Formed During the Chennai Floods

In December 2015, Chennai faced one of its worst floods. Over 40 lakh people were affected. While distributing relief material, the three students began to question what happened after emergency aid ended.

They studied past disasters, including the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Their findings were clear. Rebuilding permanent homes often took five to seven years. During this time, families lived in unsafe or temporary conditions.

This gap led them to focus on transition shelters—structures that could be built fast, last long, and restore dignity.

Founding Modulus Housing

After graduating in 2018, the trio set up Modulus Housing. Their goal was simple. Build quality shelters in days, not years.

Modulus uses a product-based approach to construction. Foundations are made using proprietary concrete. Walls and roofs use materials like PUF panels or concrete. These parts are built in factories and assembled on site.

Jawahar Rajasekar explains the system as modular. Small units arrive ready. Larger buildings form by joining several units. The process resembles Lego blocks. This method cuts time, cost, and waste.

Expanding Beyond Disaster Relief

One early challenge stood out. Disasters are not predictable. Relying only on relief work would not sustain the company.

Modulus expanded into other public needs. It began building primary health centres, anganwadis, agri shelters, and classrooms. These buildings served rural and remote regions where standard construction faced delays.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the model proved critical. Modulus built over 600 portable hospital units. Four people could assemble each unit in about two hours. These facilities helped states respond faster during peak demand.

A Product Approach to Construction

Shreeram Ravichandran describes their core belief clearly. When construction becomes a product, delivery becomes reliable.

Central manufacturing ensures quality. On-site assembly ensures speed. This approach allows Modulus to reach places where supply chains are weak or broken.

Experts see this as a key strength. Planned design reduces material waste. Each modification happens before construction begins, not during it.

Scale and Reach Across Regions

Today, Modulus Housing social impact spans scale. The company has built over 1,600 structures across 22 Indian states and Malawi in Africa.

Its strongest presence lies in Meghalaya, with over 350 buildings. The founders note that most locations in the state sit within a few kilometres of a Modulus structure.

Beyond state governments, Modulus has executed projects for global institutions such as the Asian Development Bank, World Bank, and the Gates Foundation.

Validation From the Engineering Community

The work has received technical validation as well. Experts at IIT-Madras have tested Modulus structures for durability and process strength.

Former DRDO chairman S Christopher, who mentored the team, notes that planning reduces waste and improves efficiency. He highlights that Modulus designs undergo detailed analysis before execution, unlike most civil projects.

Business Model and Funding

Modulus follows a distributed model. It works with 10 manufacturing partners and nearly 300 installation partners. Each installation team employs local labour, creating on-ground jobs.

The founders started the company with ₹25 lakh, money saved for higher studies. In 2025, Modulus raised ₹70 crore in its first institutional funding round led by Kalaari Capital, Hero, and Samarthya.

The company reported ₹54 crore in revenue in FY24.

What Comes Next

With new funding, Modulus plans to expand outside India. It also aims to grow a commercial vertical through corporate partnerships while continuing its social projects.

The founders see no conflict between impact and scale. They view both as necessary.

The Modulus Housing biography reflects this balance. It shows how engineering, planning, and purpose can work together.

As climate events increase and urban gaps widen, Modulus Housing social impact points to one clear idea. Speed, design, and dignity matter when people need shelter the most.

FAQs

Q1. What is Modulus Housing?
Modulus Housing is a social impact startup that builds pre-fabricated, low-rise buildings for disaster relief, healthcare, and public infrastructure.

Q2. Who founded Modulus Housing?
It was founded by Shreeram Ravichandran, Gobinath P, and Jawahar Rajasekar, all IIT-Madras graduates.

Q3. What problem does Modulus Housing solve?
It addresses long delays in housing after disasters by providing fast, durable transition shelters.

Q4. Where does Modulus Housing operate?
Modulus has built over 1,600 structures across 22 Indian states and Malawi, with a strong presence in Meghalaya.