> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.builtbydao.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.builtbydao.com/the-foundry/foundry.md).

# Overview

Built By DAO's planned network of physical regenerative development hubs.

***

{% hint style="info" %}

## 🏭 The Foundry at a Glance

|          🏗️ Purpose          |       🌿 Model       |            📍 Focus           |         👥 Community        |
| :---------------------------: | :------------------: | :---------------------------: | :-------------------------: |
| **Physical Development Hubs** | **Circular Economy** | **Regenerative Construction** | **Training & Contribution** |

**🎯 Mission:** Create community-owned infrastructure through regenerative construction and member development

**📍 Where:** The physical layer of Built By DAO where real-world value is created

**🌿 How:** Material recovery, skills training, community building, and construction **📍 Status:** The first physical hub and its zones remain a plan for the proof round; programs and site access are not open yet.
{% endhint %}

The Foundry is Built By DAO's planned network of physical regenerative development hubs. These are spaces where [construction](/divisions-and-roles/construction.md), [training](/contributors/training.md), [material recovery](/sustainability/circular.md), and community building converge—transforming abandoned buildings into community-owned assets while recording eligible [contribution through EQTBLT](/token-economy/eqtblt.md) for those who [contribute](/contributors/contribute.md).

***

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="🏗️ What is The Foundry?" %}

## 🏗️ The Physical Layer

The Foundry represents the **physical layer** of Built By DAO. While the DAO's governance and token systems operate on-chain, The Foundry is where real-world value is created:

| Activity              | Description                                            |
| --------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------ |
| ♻️ Material Recovery  | Salvaging building materials from deconstruction       |
| 📚 Skills Training    | Teaching construction, sustainability, and blockchain  |
| 👥 Community Building | Gathering spaces for members and neighbors             |
| 🏗️ Construction      | Building and renovating quality, community-owned homes |

***

## 🔄 Material Flow

| Step              | Process                                                   |
| ----------------- | --------------------------------------------------------- |
| 1️⃣ Salvage       | Teams deconstruct buildings, recovering usable materials  |
| 2️⃣ Sort & Grade  | Materials are assessed, sorted, and cataloged in The Yard |
| 3️⃣ Store & Track | The Depot manages inventory and logistics                 |
| 4️⃣ Process       | The Workshop repairs; The Forge fabricates                |
| 5️⃣ Deploy        | Materials go to DAO construction projects                 |

***

## 📚 Training Pipeline

| Stage                | Location           |
| -------------------- | ------------------ |
| 👋 Orientation       | The Hall           |
| 🔧 Hands-on Learning | The Workshop       |
| 🏗️ Deployment       | Construction Sites |

[Members](/membership/membership.md) use structured [training paths](/the-foundry/programs.md) to build skills and evidence. External credentials depend on the issuing provider; eligible contribution can earn [Contribution EQTBLT](/token-economy/eqtblt.md) after confirmed payment. Neither course completion nor payment automatically changes a member’s [rank](/membership/progression.md).
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="🗺️ The 7 Zones" %}

## 🗺️ Zone Overview

Each Foundry location is organized into seven distinct operational zones:

| Zone                                                | Purpose                                                                       |
| --------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| 🏗️ [The Yard](/the-foundry/foundry/yard.md)        | Outdoor processing area for material sorting, storage, and initial inspection |
| 🏪 [The Depot](/the-foundry/foundry/depot.md)       | Receiving and dispatch hub for materials, equipment, and deliveries           |
| 🔧 [The Workshop](/the-foundry/foundry/workshop.md) | Hands-on workspace for repair, refurbishment, and skill-building              |
| 🔥 [The Forge](/the-foundry/foundry/forge.md)       | Heavy-duty fabrication and manufacturing area                                 |
| 🖥️ [The Station](/the-foundry/foundry/station.md)  | Command center for operations, logistics, and project coordination            |
| 🏛️ [The Hall](/the-foundry/foundry/hall.md)        | Community gathering space for events, meetings, and education                 |
| 🏢 [The Loft](/the-foundry/foundry/loft.md)         | Office and administrative space for leadership and planning                   |

***

## 🔗 How Zones Connect

| Flow           | Path                                  |
| -------------- | ------------------------------------- |
| ♻️ Materials   | Yard → Depot → Workshop/Forge → Sites |
| 📚 Training    | Hall → Workshop → Sites               |
| 📊 Operations  | Station coordinates all zones         |
| 🏛️ Governance | Hall hosts, Loft administers          |
| {% endtab %}   |                                       |

{% tab title="🌿 Circular Economy" %}

## 🌿 Sustainability Model

The Foundry runs one closed material loop—deconstruction feeds recovery, recovery feeds new builds, and the people who live and work in those builds keep the cycle turning:

```mermaid
flowchart LR
    A[Deconstruction] --> B[Recovery]
    B --> C[Processing]
    C --> D[New build]
    D --> E[Residents · members]
    E --> A
```

The zones move material through that loop in sequence:

```mermaid
flowchart LR
    Y[The Yard<br/>sort · grade] --> D[The Depot<br/>store · track]
    D --> W[Workshop · Forge<br/>repair · fabricate]
    W --> S[Construction Sites]
```

The Foundry embodies Built By DAO's commitment to sustainability:

| Traditional Construction                   | The Foundry Model                                                                                                                              |
| ------------------------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Demolition can destroy reusable components | ♻️ Materials are [recovered and reused](/sustainability/circular.md)                                                                           |
| New materials shipped globally             | 📍 Local salvage reduces transport                                                                                                             |
| Skills learned on expensive projects       | 📚 [Training](/the-foundry/programs.md) happens before deployment                                                                              |
| Workers have little voice in decisions     | 💰 [Contributors](/contributors/contribute.md) can earn [Contribution EQTBLT](/token-economy/eqtblt.md) and participate in eligible governance |

***

## 👥 Community Integration

The Foundry isn't just a construction facility—it's a community anchor:

| Activity                                         | Impact                                                                    |
| ------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| 🏠 Open events                                   | [The Hall](/the-foundry/foundry/hall.md) brings in neighbors and partners |
| 📚 [Training programs](/the-foundry/programs.md) | Community members develop marketable skills                               |
| ♻️ [Material reuse](/sustainability/circular.md) | Resources stay in the local economy                                       |
| 🗳️ [Governance](/governance/governance.md)      | Community members have a voice                                            |
| {% endtab %}                                     |                                                                           |

{% tab title="🛠️ Equipment & Programs" %}

## 🛠️ Equipment & Resources

Each Foundry is equipped with:

| Category                                                    | Examples                                                      |
| ----------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------- |
| 🚜 Heavy equipment                                          | Forklifts, loaders for material handling                      |
| 🔧 [Workshop](/the-foundry/foundry/workshop.md) tools       | Repair and fabrication [equipment](/the-foundry/equipment.md) |
| 🦺 Safety equipment                                         | OSHA-standard protective gear                                 |
| 💻 [Technology](/divisions-and-roles/technology.md) systems | Inventory and project tracking                                |
| 📚 [Training materials](/the-foundry/programs.md)           | Certification resources                                       |

***

## 📚 Programs & Activities

| Program                         | Description                                       |
| ------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------- |
| 🏗️ Deconstruction Training     | Learn safe material recovery techniques           |
| 🔧 Construction Skills          | Carpentry, electrical, plumbing fundamentals      |
| 🌿 Sustainability Certification | Green building practices and standards            |
| 🗳️ DAO Operations              | Governance, blockchain, and organizational skills |
| 👥 Community Events             | Open houses, skill shares, and networking         |
| {% endtab %}                    |                                                   |

{% tab title="💰 Contributing" %}

## 💰 Earning [EQTBLT](/token-economy/eqtblt.md)

[Contributors](/contributors/contribute.md) at an operating Foundry can earn Contribution EQTBLT for eligible tasks such as:

| Activity                                                         | Work                                                                      |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ♻️ Material processing                                           | Sorting, cleaning, cataloging at [The Yard](/the-foundry/foundry/yard.md) |
| 🏗️ Deconstruction work                                          | Safe building disassembly                                                 |
| 🔧 [Construction projects](/divisions-and-roles/construction.md) | [Skilled trades](/divisions-and-roles/construction/trades.md) work        |
| 📚 Training support                                              | Teaching others at [The Loft](/the-foundry/foundry/loft.md)               |
| 📊 [Operations](/operations/operations.md)                       | Logistics, administration, coordination                                   |

The [task system](/contributors/tasks.md) records scope, reviewed hours and rate, evidence, approval, and payment. Read the approved terms before starting; this list does not promise a reward for every activity.

***

## 🚀 Future Expansion

Built By DAO's first hubs stand up as **co-leads in Detroit and Chicago**, with additional cohorts following on proof and demand. The hubs form **one networked DAO, not a franchise**—nodes that share a treasury, equipment, purchasing power, and a single token economy, while each is locally operated under shared standards.

| Goal                         | Approach                                                     |
| ---------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ |
| 🏙️ Co-leads first           | Prove the model in Detroit + Chicago in parallel             |
| 📋 Local adaptation          | Adapt to local building codes and materials                  |
| 🤝 Partnerships              | Partner with local organizations and government              |
| 👥 Employment                | Train and employ local community members                     |
| 🏠 Community Assets          | Develop regional community-owned infrastructure              |
| 🌐 Networked, not franchised | Centralize early; decentralize to a hub as it earns autonomy |
| {% endtab %}                 |                                                              |
| {% endtabs %}                |                                                              |

***

<details>

<summary>🔧 Getting Started at The Foundry</summary>

1. **👋 Attend orientation** - Learn the basics at The Hall
2. **🔧 Start in a zone** - Begin in Yard, Workshop, or Hall
3. **📚 Get trained** - Complete required certifications
4. **💰 Earn Contribution EQTBLT** - Complete eligible contribution and confirm its payment
5. **📈 Advance** - Take on more responsibility over time

</details>

***

<details>

<summary>🌿 Why The Foundry Model Works</summary>

| Traditional  | Foundry            |
| ------------ | ------------------ |
| Waste        | ♻️ Recovery        |
| Cost         | 💰 Value           |
| Jobs         | 👥 Ownership       |
| Training gap | 📚 Skills pipeline |
| Displacement | 🏠 Community roots |

</details>

***

{% hint style="success" %}

## 🚀 Explore The Zones

Ready to learn more? Visit each zone to understand how The Foundry operates:

* 🏗️ [The Yard](/the-foundry/foundry/yard.md) - Where materials begin
* 🏪 [The Depot](/the-foundry/foundry/depot.md) - Storage and logistics
* 🔧 [The Workshop](/the-foundry/foundry/workshop.md) - Repair and learning
* 🔥 [The Forge](/the-foundry/foundry/forge.md) - Heavy fabrication
* 🖥️ [The Station](/the-foundry/foundry/station.md) - Operations command
* 🏛️ [The Hall](/the-foundry/foundry/hall.md) - Community gathering
* 🏢 [The Loft](/the-foundry/foundry/loft.md) - Administration
  {% endhint %}

***

## 🔗 Related Pages

{% content-ref url="/pages/RYb0WkPZea0i0FDfiRSg" %}
[The Yard](/the-foundry/foundry/yard.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/pWS4sARyRXiBt5Q2cHz5" %}
[The Depot](/the-foundry/foundry/depot.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/NvAQYLimCdpZNWSpYvc3" %}
[The Workshop](/the-foundry/foundry/workshop.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/RBi0k5Bnogn9Xb9znbEE" %}
[The Forge](/the-foundry/foundry/forge.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/98sd8gjhMEp1wIxqzy1p" %}
[The Station](/the-foundry/foundry/station.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/4Si48gIts88hMMuB9sTB" %}
[The Hall](/the-foundry/foundry/hall.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/Yi60v1W8u8aLLos20gjA" %}
[The Loft](/the-foundry/foundry/loft.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/nOFR1mE64XbgEGmVM7mU" %}
[Equipment](/the-foundry/equipment.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/3jO1pYbwu6Y44rDNuj0z" %}
[Programs](/the-foundry/programs.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/5TqxfYM0lf259i8ouAvO" %}
[Overview](/contributors/contribute.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/XMWTNJ0aS7rbsvZdhYvO" %}
[Overview](/sustainability/sustainability.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}


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