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Driving design efficiency in Offsite – Vertex BD

Prefab construction utilizes off-site manufacturing — a method that is far faster than the equivalent of the on-site building process.

This is due to the enclosed and controlled factory environment, the ability to coordinate and repeat activities, and an increasing level of automation. Also, while the building elements are being manufactured at the factory, foundation and prep work can take place simultaneously on-site, allowing progress to be made much more quickly than on a traditional building site.

Efficiencies in the manufacturing process need to be matched by efficiencies in the design process, this is where Vertex BD comes in.

Vertex BD uses a high level of automation to rapidly reduce the time spent in the design phase, whilst giving its users the flexibility to build the way they need.

Vertex BD is a BIM (Building Information Modeling) software which is your complete source of information for prefab and modular projects.

Vertex BD specialises in cold-formed steel and timber framing and we aim to offer our clients all the benefits from Vertex BD whilst fitting in with how they are currently operating.

Design time can be vastly reduced, accuracy increased and costly errors avoided.

Vertex BD uses digital automation to seamlessly translate information about a project across all disciplines within a project, so all the plans, schedules, material reports, shop drawings, and manufacturing data can be automatically generated and saved within the BIM model.

 

For more information, CLICK HERE

 

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LATEST WEE HOUSE COMPLETED WITH TAPCOSLATE

The Wee House Company Completes its First TapcoSlate-roofed, Modular 3 Bedroom Bespoke Home Build on Islay

The latest Wee House has just been completed, a bespoke 3-bedroom home measuring 94 square metres.

The owners of this gorgeous new property decided to relocate to the Hebridean Isle of Islay for their retirement after falling in love with the island following a trip there many years ago and tasked the Wee House Company to build an off-site, bespoke modular home that fitted all of their unique requirements.
The efficiencies gained through running site preparation and module construction concurrently meant that the build was completed within 16 weeks. The style of the house complements its very picturesque setting and is in-tune with the island’s surrounding architecture. The house has the proportions of a traditional cottage, clad in vertical larch with a TapcoSlate Classic composite slate roof and coloured front doors sit comfortably in the stunning, rural landscape with its background rolling hills and outlook to the sea; quiet, tranquil and calm. In terms of design, a lot of consideration was given to the owners’ island living, with larger-than-normal larder cupboards installed in the kitchen to store bulk supplies during winter months as well as generous storage for outdoor apparel in the porch area.
Although this Wee House looks traditional in appearance, as mentioned previously, it was actually produced as a modular unit under controlled factory conditions, thus enabling precision in all aspects of the build as well as allowing strict quality control throughout the process. Strict environmental performance criteria had to be met, this was achieved through a combination of high-quality insulation and better air tightness on the house build, as well as solar photovoltaic panels included as a renewable energy source.
Launched in 2013, The Wee House Company has been blazing a trail in modular house building for almost a decade. With a desire to make custom-build properties accessible anywhere in the UK, father and daughter Ian Hope and Jennifer Higgins joined forces to design, build and deliver homes quickly and cost effectively, all with a depth of construction experience that places them at the forefront of modular build innovations. Ian and Jennifer realised some time ago that modular construction has a number of benefits and is an ultra-efficient method of creating a custom home for a plot of land. By building 95% of the home in-factory, customers’ benefit from the economies of scale normally reserved for larger housing developments – which is no small cost-saving!
Modular build allows a home to be built much quicker than with traditional building methods. Wee Houses are completed to ceiling height, with kitchens, bathrooms, plumbing and electrics already fitted before they leave the factory – fully complete and ready to move in within 3 weeks of being delivered to site. As the single contractor responsible for all works from design through to completion, The Wee House Company is in a unique position to provide accurate, upfront costs for the entire project, from start to finish.

Tapco Roofing Products is proud to provide the choice of its flagship TapcoSlate Classic roofing product to customers and partner with such a unique and innovative company in the UK modular marketplace; and urge you to go check out The Wee House Company’s website for more images and completed bespoke modular housing projects www.theweehousecompany.co.uk

www.tapcoroofingproducts.com

 

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CB helps housebuilders reach new heights

JCB Chief Innovation and Growth Officer Tim Burnhope highlights how equipment manufacturers are meeting the needs of housebuilders with innovative equipment, purpose built for modern methods of construction, as the industry strives to tackle the housing crisis.

As housebuilding historians will know, the concept of off-site construction came to prominence in the UK in the aftermath of World War 2 when Winston Churchill promoted prefabricated housing as a rapid solution to the housing crisis brought about by the conflict.
In the subsequent years, we have been slower to adopt the method than our European neighbours, staying largely loyal to traditional methods – but that is undoubtedly changing. The cause? Another housing crisis, this time brought about by a perfect storm of economic and demographic conditions.

Demand Exceeds Supply

To meet the changing needs of a growing population, the Government has a target to deliver 300,000 new homes every year by the mid-2020s. Unfortunately, it is a target that has never been reached to date. Not only is there a supply and demand imbalance, but it is also getting worse each year while ownership remains well beyond reach for many people. The need to build more homes – rapidly, affordably and sustainably – is greater than ever. Yet housebuilders face significant challenges, not least a materials shortage, increasing material costs and scarcity of skilled labour.
Modern methods of construction (MMC) can help to address these challenges with a quicker and lower cost solution thanks to reduced time onsite and fewer defects to rectify. As a result, even in a UK market typically resistant to change, the adoption of MMC is gathering momentum. Globally the modular and prefabricated housing market is expected to grow from $17 billion in 2020 to $28 billion in 2025. This time the UK is set to follow. For example, Barratt Developments PLC has already stated its intention to increase modern methods of construction to 30% of its housing completions by 2025.

Tailor Made Solution

This evolution towards modular construction is welcomed, but it presents challenges to the equipment sector too. For us, it is not just a case of how many homes will be built, but a question of how they will be built too. The likely change towards manufacturing off-site requires different tools and skills to assemble buildings when on-site – with heavier lift capacities and additional versatility necessary.
The rotating telescopic handler is now widely recognised as a must-have machine on modern construction projects with its total versatility, offering the use of pallet fork and a variety of jib and winch arrangements for suspended loads. With MMC and modular housebuilding becoming more mainstream, we concluded that rotating telescopic handlers were must-have additions to JCB machine range.
It is against this backdrop that JCB – already the world’s number one telescopic handler manufacturer – entered the market for rotating telehandlers in 2019. Initially we launched the 21-metre 555-210R model and more recently, last year, we introduced a second, 26-metre variant; the 555-260R. Two machines purpose-built for the modern construction site with the hallmarks of simplicity, safety, efficiency, versatility, and productivity.
The two JCB models have been designed to meet and exceed the changing requirements of contractors and rental companies across the world – offering a genuine cost-effective versatile replacement for smaller fixed and mobile cranes, with rapid set-up, ease of use and the ability to carry out a wide range of technical lifting operations.
They truly offer a three-machines-in-one solution – capable of traditional telehandler, mobile crane and man platform applications. As such, they are perfect for a raft of typical tasks including lifting triangular roof trusses, placing and piecing together modular panels, steel erecting, handling glass and cladding, while at the same time performing safe and accurate MEWP operations.
High Spec Versatility
Powered by JCB’s proven Dieselmax engines, the rotating telescopic handler range shares a high degree of parts commonality with JCB’s world leading rigid chassis Loadall telehandler models. Powered by an EU Stage V emissions engine, it features Auto Engine Idle and Auto Engine Stop to further reduce fuel use and exhaust emissions.
The 555-210R & 555-260R have a lower chassis mounted engine layout, providing easy, safe access for ground-level servicing. With 500-hour intervals and a best-in-class SAE serviceability rating, the machines deliver maximum uptime and enhanced productivity.

Key features of the machines include:
Simplicity, ease of use and familiarity with JCB Loadall range
5.5-tonne maximum lift capacity
20.5 and 25.5m maximum working heights
Industry-leading automated set-up times
All-round visibility and access, improving site safety
Winches and aerial work platforms among a growing range of options

Customer Attraction

It is this combination of qualities that has led one of the UK’s leading equipment rental firms to invest more than £5 million in a fleet of the JCB models – the biggest order so far for the new product.
Nationwide plant hirer Charles Wilson Engineers (CW Plant) has ordered 25 machines including the 21-metre 555-210R machine and 26-metre 555-260R models. Supplied by dealer Greenshields JCB, the new machines are operating for CW Plant’s customers across the UK including Abbey Developments Ltd on its new build site in Stoke Mandeville.
Director, Graham Pollard said: “Charles Wilson Engineers is committed to owning the best fleet of equipment in the industry. We chose JCB for their renowned product quality and service back up. The rotating telehandler market is a growing one and we want to be at the forefront of that by building the number one fleet in the UK.”

Powerful performance

Both machines have a maximum lift capacity of 5.5 tonnes and highly competitive load charts. The twin hydraulic lift ram design offers unrivalled hydraulic lifting performance. Auto one-touch deployment, stowage and levelling of outriggers ensures ease of use and minimal set-up time, while competitive lift-end cycle times with high-flow auxiliary hydraulics ensure efficient winch work, further boosting productivity.
The low-mounted, clean boom design, helps to deliver excellent all-round operator visibility, boosted by a comprehensive package of working light and camera kit options, including a boom-head camera for precise load placement at height. The cab maintains JCB’s familiar feel, with a simple to operate, industry-standard control layout and a variety of comfortable seating options, ensuring all-day working comfort.
All JCB rotating telescopic handlers can be used with a wide range of attachments. This includes pallet forks, a 5.5-tonne carriage winch, a 2-tonne x 2m jib winch, a reduced height jib, a 5.5-tonne hook, light duty shovel, 360° rotating forks and a range of useful fork-mounted accessories. The machine also offers remote-control lift-end operation and the availability of aerial access platforms. In addition, the range of specially developed JCB attachments utilise auto recognition (RFID tag) technology, whereby attachments are identified by the machine, automatically selecting the correct load chart for the application and keeping you in a safe working envelope.

The Perfect Partner

As well as the machines themselves, JCB customers benefit from an unrivalled package and support. In addition to a nationwide dealer network and rapid parts supply, each machine is also fitted with JCB LiveLink as standard. JCB LiveLink gathers data from sensors and generates pre-emptive servicing and potential fault alerts. These are continually monitored at JCB’s Uptime Centre to optimise machine performance and availability for work. JCB LiveLink can also be used for security by setting up alerts if the machine is used outside user-defined curfew periods and geo fences. This combination means total peace of mind for customers as they focus on their own critical role as we all pull together to address the housing shortage.

For more information, visit

www.jcb.com/rotatingtelehandlers

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State-of-the-art Modular Production Unit for Sale

A modular production unit in Bardon, Leicestershire is up for sale – just weeks after housebuilder Countryside Partnerships said it was exiting the 384,000 sq ft modern methods of construction (MMC) facility.

In May, Countryside said its modular business had made six-month loss of £6.5m – £3m of which was attributed to the Bardon site.

The move to leave the modern methods of construction (MMC) premises comes as part of a bid to cut the losses incurred by Countryside’s manufacturing processes.

The Bardon facility is now up for sale through chartered surveyor Walker Singleton. It houses a high-tech timber frame manufacturing line that was designed and installed in a bespoke package.

 

Stephen Jones, director in the Machinery & Business Assets department at Walker Singleton, said: “The production assets of the business are state-of-the-art, with only one other comparable line in operation within Europe. The line has been designed to produce an advanced closed panel product supporting the move to modern methods of construction.

“It is an exciting opportunity for any company wishing to place themselves at the forefront of the timber frame construction industry. The equipment is geared to a volume output and has the capacity to produce 3,000 units per annum. High regard has been placed on maintenance and upkeep of all equipment with all assets being of industry recognised manufacture.”

 

Jones said that the line could be removed from the site and sold separately, but should a suitable party not be found the line will be included in a planned online auction of the wider assets of the facility.

When it announced the move to Mountpark’s Bardon II scheme in June 2020, Countryside said it would create 100 jobs, with staff making its advanced modular panel system that would deliver around 3,250 new homes a year for the company’s three Midlands regions.

Countryside, which is preparing to put itself up for sale, said that it had also completed a review of cost savings across the business, identifying at least £15m of savings a year, the delivery of which is “well underway”.

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Why building design is key to preventing houses from overheating

Inside the Saint Gobain Nottingham H.O.U.S.E, which optimises the use of solar energy, part of the Creative Energy Homes Project. Photography by Campbell Rowley

Keep your cool: Why building design is key to preventing houses from overheating

The UK has the oldest housing stock in Europe, due to the sheer volume of buildings constructed during the industrial revolution and post-wars when quantity was more important than quality. Consequently, most of our homes are cold in the winter months and vulnerable to overheating in the summer months.

Recent statistics indicated that 3.6 million living rooms in England had overheated during the summer of 2018 and, more recently, the UK experienced its hottest temperatures on record in July 2022 when the mercury rose to more than 40 degrees in Lincolnshire.

And now, the UK Health Security Agency has once again issued a heat-health alert for the week as temperatures are predicted to rise again, with some areas forecast to reach highs of 36 degrees by Saturday.

Lucelia Rodrigues, Professor of Sustainable and Resilient Cities at the University of Nottingham, discusses why building design is crucial when it comes to keeping homes cool.

She said: “Clever design means understanding and responding to context, including climate conditions. Most importantly, today’s designers need to make sure that buildings are climate resilient and are constructed with future weather scenarios in mind.

“Designing high-quality homes that are comfortable all year round does not cost any more than the construction of a ‘traditional’ home – it’s all about clever design as opposed to expensive technologies.”

In 2000, the university’s Department of Architecture and Built Environment launched Creative Energy Homes, an industry-funded project looking into innovative solutions that can make homes more comfortable and, crucially, carbon neutral.

Lucelia added: “The seven-house development has provided a living test-site for leading companies such as E.ON, David Wilson Homes, Saint Gobain, BASF and more, who have worked alongside us to investigate the integration of energy efficient strategies and technologies into houses.

“As part of this, we have implemented several strategies to help keep the buildings cool, from simple, low-tech solutions, such as shading, insulation, and effective natural ventilation, through to more sophisticated solutions, for example, phase-change-materials, earth-air heat exchangers and evaporative cooling.

“Understandably, it’s not possible for us all to simply redesign our homes. Therefore, we need to redesign the way we think, particularly as we prepare for another heatwave, to ensure both comfort and safety.

“While it might seem counterintuitive, closing windows during particularly high temperatures can, in fact, help keep the warm air out. Try to ventilate your home at night and in the very early morning instead when the air temperature is cooler. Additionally, stopping the sunshine from passing through the window can prevent the greenhouse effect, so it is important to shade the outside using shutters, brise soleils, or cleverly placed plants – even cardboard will do in particularly extreme weather. Finally, for any homeowners with an unshaded conservatory, open everything up, particularly high windows, to let the warm air escape.

“It is important to note that well-designed homes with highly-insulated envelopes that are comfortable and energy efficient in the winter months are also good at keeping the heat out in the summer, and technologies such as air-source heat pumps (ASHP) and mechanical ventilation and heat recovery systems (MVHR) can also aid cooling. If you are buying a new property or refurbishing yours do ensure you ask your supplier how you home will keep cool through the heatwaves that are sure to come.”

For more information about the Creative Energy Homes project, please visit: www.nottingham.ac.uk/creative-energy-homes/index.aspx

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£7.5 million expansion project

MTX leads £7.5 million expansion project at Pinderfields Hospital

New MMC decant ward progressing in Wakefield, Yorkshire, with limited disruption to site

Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) healthcare specialist, MTX, is making great progress with its latest project at West Yorkshire’s Pinderfields Hospital. The £7.5 million MMC project will provide Pinderfields Hospital with a brand-new decant ward to relocate patients while essential remodelling and refurbishment work on main healthcare facilities take place.

 

Current NHS goals are to deliver approximately nine million more tests and checks by 2025. Decant wards are crucial to achieving these targets, as they increase capacity to undertake procedures and scans.

Pinderfields Hospital’s new decant ward will enable flexible operation, allowing for the renovation of state-of-the-art units. These are designed to deliver more modern healthcare and will provide vital upgrades to services, ultimately improving the patient experience whilst also increasing capacity and reducing backlog pressures on the NHS.

 

The first phase of the project is well underway, with the onsite groundworks and foundation stages of the Critical Care Unit decant ward nearing completion. When complete, this will include a re-provided room, donning and doffing areas for hospital staff, and a bariatric care unit. Off-site, the main building modules are under construction and are due to be installed from the end of September 2022.

The second phase of the project is due to commence 15 months after the completion of phase one. This phase involves converting the open critical care ward into four-bed wards and the donning and doffing areas into single bedrooms to increase capacity across the ward.

 

Thanks to the combined experience and hard work of the MTX team and external design consultants, together they have already overcome a multitude of challenges – mainly owing to the brownfield nature of the site. The team responded to the changing ground conditions by evolving the foundation design of the project, with minimal impact or disruption to the site.

The fully compliant MMC build is reducing construction times by up to 50 per cent and wastage by up to 60 per cent, whilst still delivering high standards. The project will support the Trust’s requirements for limited disruption and speed of delivery and allow the hospital to continue its operations throughout the works.

 

Jonathan Leech, Project Lead at MTX, commented: “We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Pinderfields Hospital, to showcase our flexible and multifunctional MMC solutions. The decant ward will assist in both developing and renovating new hospital wards. Additionally, this will relieve pressure on existing facilities to help increase capacity, ease the backlogs, and shorten delays for operations, treatments and screenings. We could not do this without the support of everyone involved in the project and their continuing hard work’’.

 

For more information about MTX Contracts, visit: www.mtx.co.uk

 

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Climate Change, The Cost-of-Living Crisis and Water

In the UK water conservation has been almost treated with derision.  Excepting the summer of 1976, water restrictions are limited to occasional hose pipe bans.  However, the wider impact of excessive water usage is now becoming recognised.

“Water is the primary medium through which we will feel the effects of climate change.”1
United Nations, Water Facts

Even in our ‘green and pleasant land’ the change in weather patterns due to global climate change have resulted erratic rainfall patterns, leading to (mostly) short term supply issues, which can impact on our green spaces and countryside.  In addition to these ‘direct impacts’, the process of cleaning, processing, and heating water accounts for 6% of CO2 emissions in the UK.2

To date few people have made the link between the water coming out the tap to local environment.  However, the connections between water, the environment and energy costs are being highlighted by organisations as diverse as the United Nations through to local conservation groups.

‘The energy used to heat water for devices and appliances emits an average of 875kg of CO2 per household per year. This is equivalent to the CO2 emissions from driving more than 1,700 miles in an average family car.’ 3, 4
Energy Saving Trust

At the 2022 Waterwise conference, Prof Liz Sharp, University of Sheffield, explained that research had shown that the water efficiency message in itself had little impact on behaviour.  The relative cost of water is low, so monetary savings in not a good incentive.  Conversely, links with wider issues of interest to a particular community could.

To many, the more immediate issue is energy prices, approximately 17% of energy used in the home is to heat water.5 Whilst water efficient appliances, i.e. dishwashers and washing machines, can reduce domestic water and energy usage, much of this hot water used in ‘time critical’ usage e.g. taking a shower or running the tap to rinse dishes.

Future proof properties

Water Metering is the future.  Utility companies have not been slow in recognising the benefits of a ‘Smart Buildings’.  The ability to interrogate and manage energy usage at any given time of day or night has been recognised as an effective way for organisations to reduce usage and manage costs.

Gas and electricity meters located on external building walls has enabled easy upgrades and introduction of countrywide ‘Smart Meter’ programme.  However, the traditional location of a water meter in a metal-covered hole in the public highway is not conducive to this new way of thinking. A ‘Smart Water Meter’ located in such a situation is exceedingly poor in transmitting a signal even to a local pick up.

 

The best location for a ‘Smart Water Meter’ is on an external property wall – co-located with other utility meters. With Groundbreaker water management system, properties are future proofed to allow for easy installation of ‘Smart Water Meter’ technology as it is introduced across the UK.

Recent field trials of Groundbreaker have proven that the range of such meters can be over 3Km (2 miles).  The impact on data collection is massive.  The improved data transmission range could allow for single point data capture in towns the size of Norwich or Coventry.

This ability to link into ‘Smart’ Building Management systems also allows for organisations to monitor for exceptional usage and potential identify maintenance issues or leaks.

 

 

Design out leak paths:

Comply with Water & Construction Industry Guidelines comply with “Water Safe” initiatives
Another benefit of the unique location of the Groundbreaker water management system is that it allows for an unjointed water supply, minimising the risk of developing future leaks.  Installation of Groundbreaker meets the best recommendations of Water UK and the Home Builders Federation6 and in some water company areas, such as Portsmouth Water, are now the standard required for all new properties.

Bringing Water Supply into the 21st century

If you are looking for a way to bring water services into the 21st century, Groundbreaker’s range of water supply management products can be the way forward for time and cost-efficient installation and replacement of water supply and allow for future site redevelopment with minimal environmental cost.

Steve Leigh FIWater, Managing Director Groundbreaker Systems

Groundbreaker Systems won the HBF’s ‘Utility of the Year’ in 2018. 

www.groundbreaker.co.uk

1.  LINK

2.  Environment Agency (2008): Greenhouse gas emissions of water supply and demand management options, Science Report – SC070010

3.  Ref: An average passenger car (any fuel) emits 0.311 kgCO2 per mile. Source: 2012 Guidelines to Defra/ DECC’s GHG Conversion Factors for Company Reporting.

4.  LINK

5.  LINK

6.  For further information, check the Home Builders Federation Guidance. LINK

 

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Offsite solution with Bathroom & Kitchens Pods a growing market

Offsite construction is a continually growing sector with manufacturing technologies such as PODs being used to help minimise the wastage inefficiencies and delays that are known to affect the more traditionally used methods of construction. It enables production to be undertaken at the same time as site preparation, therefore speeding up the construction process and reducing disruption.

The bathroom and kitchen PODs industry, which, like many others that fell in value and output during 2020 managed to bounce back in 2021 with around 11% value growth. Going forward this market continues to offer significant growth potential as an offsite building solution.

Abdul Tantouch, Head of Content at AMA Research, and Editor of the Kitchen & Bathroom Pods report surmises that: “It is now recognised that offsite building methods and the use of PODs is key to accelerating the development of new housing in the UK, specifically the construction of build-to-rent and build-to-sale apartments. Bathroom and kitchen PODs are also commonly used in student accommodation and in hotel projects. Factors that are driving POD market growth include the urgent need to increase affordable housing supply, the considerable shortage of skilled construction trades, a rise in UK POD manufacturing capacity and an increase in the number of practical POD solutions to suit many end-use sectors and price-points.”

As most student accommodation, hotels and high-rise apartments are built in urban areas where space is tight and access restricted, there is often very little room for storing building materials and for large numbers of workers onsite. The use of offsite building methods has been one of the main approaches to overcoming these barriers.

Looking into the market breakdown for this sector, residential new housing accounts for around 34% of the PODs market in 2021. Purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) has a further 32% share by volume. Other notable end-use applications include hotels and care homes.

The largest share at present within the bathroom & kitchen pods market is shower room pods, taking an astonishing 48% by volume of this market. This sub-sector is influenced by the contractors and developers increased and ongoing demand for wetroom solutions for the consumers end use application.

Suppliers for this sector have undergone a large amount of consolidation in recent years. As it stands now, the top 5 suppliers account for a combined value share of over 70%. Bathroom and kitchen PODs are largely supplied direct to the building contractor or housebuilder from the bathroom and kitchen POD manufacturer. For example, leading suppliers will often have their own fleet of vehicles for the transportation of PODs, so that they remain in control of the whole process.

 

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How green are modular homes?

With a national housing shortage and ambitious housebuilding targets for developers and local councils to meet, is now really the time to put the pressure on the industry to explore more sustainable methods of construction? The answer is a very clear yes from Wayne Oakes, a director at the sustainable engineering consultancy, Dice. He believes a greener modular building approach can increase sustainability, reduce construction time and begin to tackle the huge volumes of waste generated by the construction industry.

 

The UK’s housing crisis is well documented, with ambitious targets set by the government of 300,000 new homes a year.

With that comes a secondary problem, that of construction waste. A DEFRA report highlighted that in 2018, construction, demolition and excavation accounted for 62% of the UK’s total waste.

So how do developers continue to build at speed, reduce the volume of waste materials and create more sustainable methods of construction?

The answer is staring us all in the face – modular homes.

Modular homes are designed to be energy efficient and very efficient to manufacture. They’re created off site – where waste can be kept to a minimum – and different elements of a build can all be happening at the same time.

Offsite construction enables phases of work to be undertaken concurrently. Onsite substructure and infrastructure work can be taking place whilst the superstructure is being built in a factory. Factory conditions also mean that there are no delays due to inclement weather.

And there are environmental benefits to working offsite, helping us to fight the climate crisis. It is more straightforward to manage waste in a factory environment rather than on a construction site. It allows for far more control meaning less contamination, more recycling and less overall waste.

Another large contributor to climate change is pollution and energy output. Modular designs see a 40% reduction in HGV movement at construction sites, and manufacturing off site also minimises the time and energy spent on site.

This cuts travel and transport, as workers are more likely to be concentrated around a specific factory. Due to these factors, overall pollution is reduced.

Recycling is another big focus across every sector. Materials in traditional construction like timber, brick and concrete, are very rarely re-used and it can be hard work to do so. The volumetric and panelised systems found in modular building lend themselves to recycling in a much more practical and efficient way.

There are challenges, as there are with every construction project, and they do require a different approach to traditional methods of construction.

Modular projects and units do differ from the traditional, standard residential units. They have specific requirements in terms of their sub-structures and external works. This is particularly the case in sites with gradients and water management requirements.

On our first modular project, we worked very closely with the manufacturer on specific design standards, in particular with regards to the National Housebuilding Council’s requirements for the substructure.

This was a condition of the offsite manufacturing partner, to ensure that each of the plots met the requirements of building control.

As engineers, we need to be agile, responsive to site specific needs and challenge design to ensure modular methods of construction get the recognition they deserve.

We’ve realised technology’s potential and are driving the change.  It’s our duty to think creatively to develop new, more sustainable ways of construction and ultimately living.

 

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NATIONAL MMC ADVISORY SERVICE NOW AVAILABLE

NATIONAL MMC ADVISORY SERVICE NOW AVAILABLE FROM ARCHITECTS STUDIO ANYO

Property developers, contractors and building product manufacturers can now benefit from a new advisory service that provides sector-leading expertise around modern methods of construction (MMC) and offsite solutions.

AnyOffsite from architects and interior designers Studio Anyo, can help clients to speed up their development processes and comes as MMC practices are being adopted and integrated with Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA) to improve productivity and performance.

Able to support all types of MMC, AnyOffsite utilises digital technology as core to improving construction productivity in the offsite manufacture of structures, components, assemblies and products. A full range of advisory services enable clients to step-up development processes and include market reports to identify the most appropriate MMC options, analysis of the business implications, and the predicted productivity benefits.

Other services cover product development, and design, estimating, and cash flow analysis. Assistance with MMC specific bid management, scheduling, logistics, cash flow and supply chain management is also included alongside architectural, structural, sustainability and MEP reviews.

Strategies to assess the appropriateness and impact of MMC on a client’s operation and procurement schedule are included as part of a comprehensive package of measures that conclude with risk management assessments to identify the specific implications associated with pursuing different forms of construction.

Led by a team of specialists, AnyOffsite works with developers and contractors investing in MMC to reduce onsite construction and new build times, while adding design flexibility and significantly cutting property carbon footprints.

James Walsh, CEO of Studio Anyo, said as DfMA consultants, AnyOffsite’s knowledge of the supply chain is unparalleled, helping to ensure clients can secure best value for their projects and maximise return on investment in highly competitive markets.

He added: “MMC enable projects and development sites to be brought forward quickly and more efficiently. This allows the finished units to be marketed and sold faster. However, the sector can be difficult to navigate for property developers, contractors and building product manufacturers. So, we can help guide them in the principles of digital construction and management.

“Our services, coupled with our wealth of knowledge and industry experience, deliver technical insight, cost savings, project management efficiencies and, ultimately, strategic solutions to ensure clients are able to successfully deliver their offsite and onsite MMC projects on time.”

AnyOffsite is a member of the Offsite Alliance – a not-for-profit organisation for makers and manufacturers of homes, using offsite/modern methods of construction – and the Association for Project Management (APM), which is the professional organisation for project and programme management.

 

The advisers already work with a number of UK MMC manufacturers, local authorities, housing associations, consultants,

private developers and NHS Trusts.

CLICK HERE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

 

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