Hello everyone,

Massimo here! This time I’m not reporting from the production floor, but from a different part of the journey: the world of codes, reviews, and certifications that shape the heart of our permitting process. It’s not the side of the building process that usually makes headlines, but without it, cranes wouldn’t lift, panels wouldn’t rise, and Amma One would never come to life.

And today, I’m thrilled to share some incredible news. Geoship is now officially California Factory-Built Housing Certified.

This milestone marks one of the most significant achievements in our company’s history. In this episode of the GeoJourney series, we’ll explore its importance, take you behind the scenes of our permitting process, and highlight what this certification means for our community, investors, and the future of housing.

Watch Episode 3 of the GeoJourney Series

Why This Milestone Matters

Securing California Factory-Built Housing Certification is more than just another step in our permitting journey, it’s a defining moment for Geoship that transforms what’s possible moving forward.

This certification, granted by California Housing and Community Development, through their approved third-party agency Twining, formally recognizes Geoship as a state-approved housing manufacturer, confirming that our materials, engineering systems, and production processes meet rigorous safety and quality standards.

It revolutionizes our permitting process by centralizing oversight for structural and MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) systems at the state level, allowing local jurisdictions in California to focus solely on zoning, foundation, grading, and utility connections. This streamlined approach eliminates many local permitting hurdles, replacing them with a single state-level approval.

The result? Faster, more affordable installations with no need to redesign or reapply for permits in California cities and counties meeting our certification’s snow and wind load standards. Each dome moves from factory to home site on a clear, predictable path, saving customers time and money.

As our Architectural Designer, Anna Drewitz, explains:

“State plan approval centralizes review with the same plan checker every time. It streamlines everything and cuts out endless feedback loops.”

The California Factory-Built Housing Certification marks a triumph over California’s famously stringent standards. As we set our sights on national expansion, we’ll pursue similar certifications in other states (39 of which have a similar program), but California’s hard-won approval gives us a powerful edge, paving the way for easier scaling in less demanding regulatory landscapes.

In practical terms, this certification is the bridge between prototype and product, from R&D to large-scale manufacturing and installation. It creates a scalable model to deliver consistent, high-quality projects across communities with speed and predictability, enabling Geoship to move from a single dome in Nevada City to entire communities of regenerative homes across the region and, soon, beyond.

Live in California and want to join our reservation queue? Reserve your dome here with a refundable deposit: geoship.is/reserve

Meet Anna Drewitz, Our Architectural Designer & Permitting Champion

If the install team brings Amma into the world, the permitting team clears the path for its arrival. Their work may not involve cranes or concrete, but it requires its own form of engineering that depends on relationships with institutions, testing labs, and plan checkers who have never seen anything quite like a bioceramic dome before.

Permitting at Geoship is not about navigating bureaucracy for its own sake. It is about building trust, ensuring safety, and proving that regenerative housing is both visionary and viable.

Behind every approval stamp is a story of persistence, creativity, and teamwork. At the center of that story is Anna Drewitz, who led our permitting efforts and guided Amma through every review with precision and care. They ensured that each detail meets state and local requirements with excellence and approached their work knowing that every step we take now will shape how Geoship grows across the country.

Anna’s path to Geoship began with a strong foundation in architecture: a degree from the University at Buffalo, a master’s from UCLA focused on the storytelling of domestic life, and several years at a prefab housing startup in Los Angeles. There, they permitted ADUs (accessory dwelling units) and helped bridge the worlds of design, software, engineering, and construction, optimizing permit drawings and coordinating directly with installation teams.

They joined Geoship in late 2023 to navigate the complex permitting process for a truly unique product: a factory-built, bioceramic geodesic dome.

Anna describes their work as saying:

For a prefabricated home, many of the unknowns and variables experienced in traditional construction are mitigated by bringing the construction into the factory. However, the permitting process is one area that is still subject to the whims of external forces and regulatory bodies which can lead to unpredictable costs and timelines. At Geoship, we are streamlining the permitting process by 1) attaining state approval through California’s Factory-Built Housing Program and 2) understanding and documenting the processes of each local jurisdiction to mitigate unknown variables.

Anna brings an inspiring perspective to Geoship’s design philosophy: homes as living narratives. They describe “architecture with a capital A” (the structure itself) versus “architecture with a lowercase a” (the lived-in details, the hooks on the wall, the clutter that tells someone’s story).

Anna's philosophy, paired with rigorous user research, shapes Amma's design, transforming it from a mere building into a thoughtfully crafted product. Like an iPhone, Amma is engineered for precision, consistency, and an exceptional user experience.

We are constantly asking:

What do people need to feel better in their home? To sleep better, relax, connect, and feel inspired? How can a home help all of these qualities bloom?

Every detail, from the floor plan's logic to the materials' performance, balances engineering excellence with the needs of those who will call Amma home.

Geoship and Nevada County: A Partnership for Sustainable, Fire-Resistant Homes

At Geoship, our mission to deliver sustainable, fire-resistant homes through bioceramic geodesic domes like Amma is powered by collaboration and innovation. Certifying our unique domes has become a story of seamless partnership and progress in Nevada County, setting a scalable model for nationwide expansion.

Two key champions of this effort are George Shureck, the Building Director of Nevada County, and Doug Fleming, a dedicated member of the Nevada City Council and the former mayor.

George has been instrumental in guiding Geoship through the intricacies of local building codes and permitting, not just enforcing regulations but working with us to find creative, compliant solutions that honor both safety and innovation.

George describes his enthusiasm for bring Geoship to the community by stating:

“Geoship’s work could bring transformative benefits to our community. From resilient and sustainable housing to meaningful jobs to a new model for regenerative living, it checks a lot of the boxes.”

Doug has also been an incredible advocate and friend to the project. His enthusiasm for Geoship goes beyond city council business, it’s personal. In Doug’s words:

“Geoship’s mission to create radically affordable, sustainable, and resilient bioceramic geodesic domes deeply resonates with Nevada City's values of ecological stewardship, climate resilience, and embracing innovation.”

Fire safety is a major concern in our region, and Doug emphasized the importance of our bioceramic material:

“This innovation, coupled with their focus on sustainability, positions Geoship to bring not only economic diversification through job creation in advanced manufacturing, but also to showcase a tangible path toward a more secure and sustainable future in housing.”

Amma’s resilience is proven through rigorous testing. Our GeoRok material passed non-combustibility tests, securing approval for wildfire-prone Wildland-Urban Interface zones. A standout test saw a triangular panel, loaded with over twice the required snow load, flex just a centimeter, showcasing its strength for diverse climates.

The trust and support of local leaders like George Shureck and Doug Fleming fuel Geoship’s mission, enabling us to navigate regulatory processes with clarity and speed. Their partnership builds confidence in our team and community, affirming the value of our work.

This Nevada County milestone proves the Geoship model succeeds, even in regions with complex codes or unfamiliar materials. Our approach offers a scalable playbook: listen deeply, align with local values, collaborate with regulators, and earn trust through action.

By establishing our factory here, we’re cultivating a thriving industry rooted in sustainable construction, creating skilled jobs, boosting the local economy, and inspiring a new generation of builders and innovators. The impact reaches beyond Nevada County, establishing it as a leader in ecological innovation and community-driven progress, ready to shape sustainable housing nationwide.

Looking Ahead

With our factory-built housing certification and building permit secured, installation of Amma One is officially underway.

Our install team, led by Neil Decker and supported by engineers, production members, and the permitting department, is now bringing Amma One to life on-site at The Bodhi Hive in Nevada City.

Installation Phases:
🔹 Site prep: clearing trees, grading the land, and bringing in utilities
🔹 Exterior shell: anchor bolts set, precision-cast struts assembled, bioceramic panels bonded into place
🔹 Interior finishes: cabinetry, floors, and fixtures transforming the dome from a job site into a home
🔹 Certificate of Occupancy: energy and safety systems tested and approved before move-in

A Personal Reflection

Permitting may not be as dramatic as lifting dome panels or as visible as production, but it is every bit as vital. It is the quiet architecture that makes everything else possible.

When I asked Anna what they imagined as the “key” to Amma One, they smiled and said "it might be made from GeoRok itself. Whether physical or symbolic, that key will open more than a door; it will open a new chapter in Geoship’s journey toward regenerative living."

Stay tuned for our next update, where we will share footage and stories from the installation phase as Amma One takes shape in Nevada City.

With gratitude,
Massimo Massarotto
from the Geoship Team

Investor Disclaimer: This blog contains forward-looking statements regarding Geoship’s plans for expansion, cost savings, scalability, and the impact of its California Factory-Built Housing Certification and material testing results. These statements are based on current expectations but are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including future regulatory approvals, funding availability, market acceptance, production challenges, and economic conditions, which could cause actual results to differ materially. Quotes from third parties were collected with permission and reflect personal opinions and do not constitute official government endorsements.