A Christmas Message from Wernick

Building on the success of last year’s Accommodating Christmas, this year’s campaign tells a touching, multi-generational story of inspiration, career growth, and the enduring connection between family and Wernick’s values.

The video follows a young boy who idolises his father, a dedicated Wernick employee. Captivated by construction and his toy forklift, the child’s passion blossoms during a factory tour. Years later, he follows in his father’s footsteps, beginning an apprenticeship at Wernick and ultimately becoming a senior role. The narrative reaches its emotional peak with the son presenting his father with an unforgettable Christmas gift, symbolising the lasting bonds of family and heritage.

Produced in-house, the video reflects Wernick’s commitment to fostering internal talent. Wernick employees are involved throughout the process, including all acting roles. The young child starring role is played by the son of one of the marketing team.

Marketing Manager, Leigh Fennell commented,

“This project highlights our core values—heritage, staff development, and innovation—while delivering a heartfelt holiday message. The team has truly captured the essence of what makes Wernick special.”

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE WERNICK WEBSITE

 

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Eco Buildings Group receives order for 10,000 prefab homes

Eco Buildings Group, a UK-listed modular housing company whose factory is in Albania, says that it has received a letter of intent confirming a £190m order from the Dominican Republic for 10,000 houses.

The order follows a visit by a Dominican Republic delegation, led by housing minister Carlos Bonilla Sanchez, to Eco Buildings’ manufacturing facility in Albania.

“With products that are up to 50% cheaper, two-thirds lighter, and five times faster to build than conventional homes, our technology is uniquely positioned to address the Dominican Republic’s pressing social housing needs,” the manufacturer said.

Eco Buildings’ glass fibre-reinforced gypsum (GFRG) panels have already been certified in Chile and approved for use across multiple Latin American markets.

Following the visit and subsequent negotiations a letter of intent has been signed with Gramma Constructora SRL, a large private construction company in the Dominican Republic. This agreement outlines the purchase of 10,000 modular homes over the next five years, subject to regulatory approvals.

A sample wall is already on its way to the Dominican Republic for evaluation and testing. Gramma Constructora SRL has committed to acquiring an initial tranche of 2,000 units a year on receiving the necessary government certifications. There are also talks about setting up a manufacturing facility in the Dominican Republic.

Eco Buildings chief executive Sanjay Bowry said:  “We are very pleased with the progress achieved during the Dominican Republic delegation’s visit to our Albanian factory. Their enthusiasm and recognition of our technology’s value reaffirms Eco Buildings’ ability to meet critical housing challenges globally. The successful alignment of our vision with their housing strategy marks the beginning of what we hope will be a long-term, impactful partnership.”

“We look forward to formalising agreements in the near future and contributing to the Dominican Republic’s social housing initiatives, helping to deliver thousands of homes that are not only affordable but also sustainable and high-quality.”

Source: The Construction Index

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Module-T enters UK market

As the need for rapid and environmentally friendly construction grows, Module-T offers modular solutions that construct entire buildings off-site, ready for swift assembly at their destination. These structures serve a variety of purposes, including offices, educational facilities, and sanitation blocks. The company’s goal is to lead the UK market with tailored, high-quality modular solutions.

Module-T Prefabrik, a global leader in modular construction with over 15 years of experience, is entering the UK market with an impressive portfolio. The company provides a wide range of options, such as office containers, sanitary units, locker containers, dormitory buildings, and modular offices. Its labour accommodation solutions are particularly designed to meet the urgent needs of various industries with speed and efficiency.

Module-T’s expansion into the UK market introduces modular construction technology that prioritises speed, flexibility, and sustainability. “Our modular solutions are specifically engineered to minimise on-site disruption and accelerate construction timelines,” said Yigit Ozdemir, Regional Sales Director at Module-T. “Entire modules are built off-site in factories and assembled on-site, allowing for rapid deployment. This method not only reduces noise and pollution but also significantly lessens the environmental impact.”

A 2022 study by academics from the University of Cambridge and Edinburgh Napier University found that modular construction can reduce embodied carbon by up to 45%. Embodied carbon refers to emissions generated during the construction process, including the production and transportation of materials, highlighting the sustainability benefits of off-site modular construction.

Module-T provides solutions tailored for various applications, including permanent or temporary office spaces for companies across sectors. The company also offers WC cabins, canteens, classrooms, and other facilities for municipalities and local institutions, meeting the diverse requirements of public sector projects. “Our modular facilities are designed to provide flexible, high-quality solutions that cater to the specific needs of the UK’s construction industry,” added Özdemir.

By manufacturing buildings entirely off-site and assembling them on-site, Module-T reduces construction time and minimises disruption in local communities. This approach not only enhances efficiency but aligns with industry trends favouring sustainable construction methods. “Our off-site approach offers a practical solution to the demands of commercial and public sector projects while reducing the carbon footprint associated with traditional construction,” noted Özdemir. “We aim to lead the UK market in providing efficient and sustainable modular construction solutions.”

With the UK’s modular construction market expected to grow at an annual rate of 6.3%, reaching a projected value of £12 billion by 2025, Module-T is well-positioned to establish a strong presence. By combining innovative design with extensive international experience, the company aims to deliver adaptable solutions that meet the evolving needs of both commercial and public sector clients in the UK. Whether for office spaces, educational facilities, or sanitary units, Module-T’s temporary site accommodationare built to be efficient, durable, and comfortable.

“At Module-T, we are committed to offering efficient and quality solutions that meet the diverse needs of our clients across the UK,” said Özdemir. “Our expertise in modular construction will contribute significantly to the industry’s growth and support the delivery of essential projects.”

Source: ABC Money

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€5m funding to Construct Innovate for housing research

Ireland’s Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage, in cooperation with the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment, has secured and awarded €5m to Construct Innovate’s research to support affordable, better quality, safer and more sustainable housing Construct Innovate is Ireland’s national research centre for construction technology and innovation.

Construct Innovate is part of Enterprise Ireland’s industry-led Technology Centre programme, which aims to provide independent and evidence-based research through collaboration between industry members and research performing organisations.

Construct Innovate strives to support and run research initiatives to meet the demands of Ireland’s major building and investment programmes, such as Project Ireland 2040, National Development Plan 2021-2030, Housing for All and the Climate Action Plan 2023.

Professor Jamie Goggins, Construct Innovate director, said: “These collaborative research projects with Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage will address near and long-term challenges for the housing sector, including the current shortage of housing, quality issues with some of the existing housing stock, ensuring our homes are accessible for our ageing population allowing them to live in their homes for longer and the impact of climate change on our homes.

“They are being led by excellent principal investigators in Construct Innovate partner institutions of University of Galway, University College Dublin, Trinity College Dublin and Irish Green Building Council (IGBC), utilising world-class research facilities and expertise available in our third level institutions in Ireland.

“The projects will be delivered in close collaboration with Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage and other key stakeholders in the construction and built environment sector.”

The funding of €5M will be used to deliver six Construct Innovate projects.

Standardised designs for MMC

The first project, awarded over €3.5m, focuses on the creation of standardised design details for MMC builds to develop Building Regulation- compliant standardised details for wall, floor and roof build-ups.

Author of the project proposal, associate professor Daniel McCrum from University College Dublin, explains: “This project aims at supporting continuity of MMC from design through to construction as MMC system builds are becoming increasingly prevalent in the built environment.”

Durability of dense aggregate concrete masonry

The second largest sum of funding (over €800,000) was secured by Professor Alan O’Connor, in Trinity College Dublin, for the project on assessing the durability of dense aggregate concrete masonry units in Irish structures.

The project promises to yield a multifaceted impact with far-reaching implications on Ireland’s economy, environment, society, technology and policy landscape.

Ageing population and universal access

The third project, led by Tom Grey of Trinity College Dublin, is the Ageing Population and Universal Access assessment.

This project aims to help with problem of many persons with disabilities and older people, who live in unsuitable housing that does not support a good quality of life, and personal, work or health circumstances that have changed for many other people who end of living in homes that are difficult and expensive to extend or adapt to their changing needs.

Reuse of existing buildings

Marion Jammet, head of policy and advocacy at the Irish Green Building Council (IGBC), will be in charge of the Report into the Reuse of Existing Buildings project.

As part of this project, IGBC and UCD (the project partners) will review existing Building Regulations and Technical Guidance Documents (TGDs), including TGDs B, D, E, F, G, K, L and M, as well as their impact on building reuse in Ireland.

The objective of this work is to assess the perceived and actual Building Regulation impediments to reuse of existing buildings and develop mitigation recommendations. These will be evidence base, and the project will be completed within 10 months.

Effectiveness of Technical Document J

Another funding awarded project – An Investigation of the Effectiveness of Technical Guidance Document J (TGD J) provisions Regarding Flue Outlet Locations for Solid Fuel Burning Appliances at Preventing Smoke Particles Entering the Dwelling or Neighbouring Dwellings is led by Professor John Gallagher of Trinity College Dublin.

Housing For All objective 25.6. Review of the Building Regulations is the driving force behind the national priority for this project.

Future impact of defective concrete blocks

The last, but not the least project, Review of Existing Data on Defective Blocks Found in the Irish Housing Stock to Determine the Suitability of Predictive Deterioration Models and In-situ Monitoring Systems to Estimate the Lifespan of the Challenge’, led Dr Myra Lydon from the University of Galway, aims to identify the scale of the future impact of defective concrete blocks on the Irish housing stock.

The existing financial support scheme will be analysed to identify socio-economic barriers in accessing remedial options.

Source: Planning, BIM & Construction Today

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Modular homes could be built on site of former swimming pool

A former swimming pool could be one of two sites used to trial new ‘kit’ style housing in Midlothian under plans to create more affordable homes.

Midlothian councillors are being asked to back plans to look at bringing ‘modular homes’ onto the sites at the former Newbattle Pool, in Newtongrange, and Rullion Road in Penicuik.

A report to councillors this week identifies the plots as unallocated land which could be used to trial the new style of housing.

Modular housing involves assembling the homes in parts off site before bringing them to the plots.

The report to elected members says the modular designs can “contribute to solving local problems: the challenge of zero carbon; failure of housing supply; the affordability crisis; poor build quality and cost of non-compliance.”

It says: “As an alternative site that is more suitable for the delivery of the standard house types needed for modular construction the former swimming pool site at Main Street, Newtongrange is available.

“This will require forward funding from the Housing Revenue Account with affordability to be ascertained once a cost report is available.

“It is also proposed that Rullion Road, Penicuik as our only current uncommitted site is considered available for a modular development (circa 50 units). The date for delivery on this site is 2027/28.”

The proposals are part of work by the local authority towards finding alternative housing solutions working with off site construction firms.

The report says the council has been working with the off site construction sector to establish whether there are benefits to its housing programme in terms of efficiency, cost and quality.

It says: “Off site construction, also known as Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), allows key elements of a building to be designed, planned and constructed using pre-fabricated or pre-assembled products that are
manufactured in an offsite factory environment.”

After reviewing the council’s supply of garages and lock-ups for potential sites for individual MMC homes the local authority has already identified capacity for 11 homes which can be brought forward at Eastfield Drive and Lyne Terrace, in Penicuik, where agreements for new units have been put in place.

Now councillors are being asked to support a pilot of the new modular design housing at the former swimming pool in Newtongrange as well as possible homes at Rullion Road.

Source: STV News

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Kilmarnock project earns modular housing specialist double award success

Connect Modular is celebrating after winning two accolades at the Chartered Institute of Housing’s Scotland Housing Awards 2024, for its recently completed affordable housing development in Shortlees, Kilmarnock.

The 101-home project for Cunninghame Housing Association was honoured with the Excellence in Development for Affordable Housing Award as well as the Excellence in Housing Innovation Award.

Connect Modular said the accomplishment highlights the efficiency of the firm’s modular construction method and its capability to deliver high quality homes at speed.

The Shortlees project was completed 18 weeks ahead of schedule. By taking construction off-site and into a controlled factory environment, the overall programme of works was significantly condensed. The approach enabled ground works preparations and house-building to occur simultaneously and ensured progress was not affected by adverse weather.

All 101 homes were produced in Connect Modular’s manufacturing facility in Cumnock, East Ayrshire, where over 90% of construction work was completed, including the installation of kitchens, bathrooms, plumbing and electrics.

CEO Jennifer Higgins said, “We are immensely proud of the 101-unit housing development at Shortlees, Kilmarnock and the winning partnership we have established with Cunninghame Housing Association. Receiving both the Excellence in Housing Innovation and Excellence in Development for Affordable Housing awards highlights the efficiency our innovative construction method and its capability to deliver high quality homes at exceptional speed. I applaud our team for their hard work and dedication on this project and hope they will take pride from this shared success.”

Linda Anderson, interim CEO of Cunninghame Housing Association, added, “I am delighted that our project at Bridgehousehill Road, Kilmarnock, has been recognised by the Chartered Institute of Housing and has scooped two prestigious Scotland Housing Awards. This recognition is truly deserved and is a testament to our excellent partnership with Connect Modular, and demonstrates our shared commitment to delivering affordable homes quickly and efficiently.”

Connect Modular is currently working on multiple housing projects across Scotland, including a development in Livingston for West Lothian Council of 48 homes comprising 28 cottage flats for young people and 20 affordable homes, 12 cottage flats in Penicuik for Ark Housing Association, and two affordable homes in Clydebank for West Dumbartonshire Council.

Source: Project Scotland

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Sano hosting CPD webinars on hybrid and offsite MMC solutions

With the UK government’s housing targets setting an ambitious tone, we are responding to the sector’s growing need for sustainable, efficient construction methods by hosting a series of CPD webinars on hybrid and offsite solutions
The webinar series will allow professionals to deepen their understanding of how hybrid construction methods can help achieve these goals, surpassing even the strictest Passivhaus standards.

“Professionals in the construction sector are constantly learning, adapting to emerging technologies and seeking methods to streamline their work while meeting regulatory standards,” says DJ, co-founder of Sano.

“Our CPD webinars aim to empower stakeholders by offering practical insights into not only how the M-Dock system can make a tangible difference in housebuilding but also how hybrid and offsite solutions can support housing and sustainability targets.”

The hour-long sessions, running every Wednesday lunchtime until 27 November 2024, will cover various topics, including balancing offsite and on-site techniques, the integration of pods and modules into residential builds and the commercial benefits of adopting innovative systems like M-Dock.

By participating, attendees will enhance their industry knowledge and gain actionable strategies to meet housing demands.

The format encourages interaction and real- world application, allowing professionals to walk away with a clearer understanding of how innovation can help them reach their goals. M-Dock’s hybrid approach – combining 2D panels and 3D pods manufactured in a controlled factory setting with on-site constructed elements – addresses the unique demands of housebuilding while providing solutions to cut costs and increase efficiency.

In an industry that thrives on building connections and sharing knowledge, these webinars offer a platform for learning and discussion.

They will also allow participants to network, share experiences, ask questions, and understand how offsite and on-site construction can work together to achieve better faster results.

Sano’s CPD webinars are open to anyone in the housebuilding ecosystem eager to transform their approach to construction.

By attending, professionals will gain the skills and insights needed to adopt more efficient practices that save time and money and drive the industry towards a more sustainable future.

To register your interest and select your preferred date for attendance, click here.

Source: PBC Today

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Six reasons you should be using MVHR systems

Paul Williams, Domus Ventilation Product Manager, offers six reasons to use MVHR systems.

Valued at $106.69 million in 2022, the Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery (MVHR) UK market is predicted to reach $235.34 million by 2030.  This extraordinary growth is being driven by increased awareness about the benefits of MVHR, as well as the adoption of these systems to comply with the latest uplift to Building Regulations. 

MVHR systems take a whole house approach to ventilation, combing supply and extract ventilation in one system.  They extract the stale air from wet rooms (kitchens, bathrooms, utility spaces) within a property via ducting, transferring the heat from that air to the fresh air being drawn into the building via a heat exchanger.  Domus Ventilation’s HRXE MVHR range recovers heat with up to 95% efficiency, making it highly effective.  The filtered, pre-warmed air is then distributed around the home.

If you’re yet to be sold on MVHR systems, then consider these key benefits

  • Health

In the UK, we spend 80-90% of our time indoors.  The air that we breath indoors is therefore just as – if not more – important than the air we breathe outdoors.  Sources of indoor air pollution are widespread, from cooking, cleaning products and furniture to external emissions entering our homes.  In the winter months you also have condensation and mould to contend with.  

Poor indoor air quality has been linked to an increased risk of respiratory and cardiovascular illness, cognitive impairment and certain cancers. England’s Chief Medical Officers Annual Report 2022 Air Pollution stated: “The role of ventilation is central to reducing unavoidable indoor air pollution.”  MVHR systems are the most effective ventilation method for our homes as they both extract stale air and supply filtered ‘fresh’ air to key rooms, such as bedrooms.

  • Comfort 

Breathing in poor quality air is not only unhealthy, it’s unpleasant.  As stale air is usually the result of a buildup of chemicals (especially VOCs) and humidity, our homes feel ‘stuffy’ and can have an unpleasant smell. MVHR systems are continuously on, removing that stale, humid air and its undesirable odours.  Furthermore, during colder months they take the chill out of the supply air by passing it through a heat exchanger where the outgoing air’s energy is extracted and transferred.  In the summer months, an automatic 100% thermal bypass allows in cooler, fresh, filtered air without warming it.  

  • Energy efficiency

By reusing the outgoing air’s heat to temper the incoming air, MVHR systems help reduce the home’s heating load.  The Centre for Sustainable Energy estimates heating costs can be reduced by around 25%.  Whilst MVHR running costs are dependent on the property size, building fabric, occupant lifestyle etc., they are inexpensive to run.  To ensure maximum energy efficiency is gained from an MVHR system though, it’s important to correctly size the unit, use good quality ducting (Domus Ventilation ducting has been third party tested for end-to-end system performance), and correctly install and commission the units.

  • Structural integrity

If not dealt with, trapped condensation can lead to timber decay and can have a detrimental effect on insulation.  More often though, it leads to mould growth on surfaces of walls and furniture.  Removing large areas of mould is not easy and can be costly, especially when redecorating is required and furniture has to be replaced.  What’s more, as the source of the mould hasn’t been addressed, it’s very likely it will return.  MVHR systems remove humidity, reducing levels of condensation and preventing mould from forming.

  • Building Regulations

Changes to Building Regulations ‘Approved Document F, Volume 1: Dwellings’ (ADF1) came into effect on 15th June 2022.  Across all sizes of properties, minimum ventilation rates were increased.  In the case of larger properties with five bedrooms, the minimum ventilation rate went from 29 to 43l/s.  To achieve these new ventilation rates, mechanical ventilation systems such as MVHRs are the most proficient option.

  • Value-add 

The public are more aware than ever before of the importance of good air quality.  Stories of extreme overheating in properties located in urban heat islands are also making national news.  For housebuilders, an MVHR system can therefore be an attractive proposition to home buyers, providing them with good indoor air quality, added comfort and energy efficiency.

These six points all provide a powerful argument for including MVHR systems into your new residential developments. So, if you haven’t really considered MVHR systems previously, isn’t it time to think again?

Domus Ventilation is a manufacturer of market-leading ventilation systems that save energy and improve indoor air quality. 

www.domusventilation.co.uk 

vent.info@domusventilation.co.uk 

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Simplifying hospital projects with Eurobrick

In busy hospital environments, expansion projects and building works must be planned in meticulous detail to minimise disruption to day-to-day operations. Fast-track building methods are frequently used and, during this process, selecting an appropriate rainscreen cladding system is very important to ensure the successful function of the building and the design aesthetic. 

Leading specialist Eurobrick Systems has been distributing its proprietary brick and stone slip cladding for over 30 years and has supplied many hospital expansion projects where budgets, space and time are limited. 

THE RIGHT FIT
Eurobrick is an obvious choice for these types of projects, offering different systems to suit different applications, all of which are tried and tested and can be specified with confidence. This is backed up by Eurobrick’s team of experienced estimators who take the time to ensure the most suitable system is chosen to fit the specific requirements of the job. Eurobrick offers technical advice at every stage of the specification process, from estimating, and ordering to installation and any ongoing support.  

FLEXIBLE
Supply schedules can be tailored to meet contractors’ work programmes and can take into account on-site conditions such as storage limitations. This was particularly important at Leicester Royal Infirmary for example, where a restrictive site situated at a busy roadside with a limited storage area, meant the P-Clad rainscreen system materials for a two-storey extension to the Congenital Heart Centre, needed to be delivered in phases, as and when required. Eurobrick worked closely with the contractor, Industrial Contracting Services to achieve this.

SPEEDY SOLUTIONS

Eurobrick’s cladding systems are lightweight and fast to install making them a good option for contractors’ working to meet challenging deadlines. Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital had this experience, where a new state-of-the-art 4300m² ward development was delivered in a compressed timeframe of just 1 year (instead of the expected 3 years) using factory-built modular construction. As Eurobrick can be off the critical path, the systems could be installed on-site without affecting the activities of other trades. These brick slip systems are also suitable for off-site installation and are robust enough to be transported to site and craned into position. 

ON OR OFF-SITE

Versatile, yet simple, Eurobrick is suitable for modular and new build projects offering a fast track to a real brick finish that is low maintenance and will weather like traditional brickwork. The award-winning new Wellbeing Hub at University Hospital Southampton is a 20 modular bay building which was finished on-site using Eurobrick’s X-Clad EWI system with extruded brick slips from their Britannia colour range.

Hospital projects can present a plethora of challenges to the NHS, its architects and contractors, who need creative solutions that keep projects on time and on budget. Reliability, versatility, robustness and speed are key considerations in the decision-making process.

If you would like to discuss a project with Eurobrick you can take a look at their website at www.eurobrick.co.uk, call 0117 971 7117 or email info@eurobrick.co.uk. 

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Gilberts goes to court to prove (ventilation) performance

The UK’s leading independent air movement specialist Gilberts Blackpool has gone to court to prove its performance- the moot court at the University of Central Lancaster (UCLAN).

The UK’s legal market is growing- up 8% according to latest data- prompting a corresponding growth in demand for law degree courses. As a result, UCLAN needed to expand its moot court facilities, where students simulate legal proceedings ready for “real world’ experience, with all associated building works including an acoustic ceiling to minimise distracting sound and enable focus on the legal arguments.

Building services engineers Bay Building Services Ltd delivered the in-court ventilation to a concept produced by building services design consultancy Beech Jackson. 

Bay Building Services Ltd chose Gilberts’ Series MN multi-nozzle and Series GA spiral swirl diffusers ducted from an air ram unit and linked to a building management system to achieve the high induction, high air change levels needed to maintain the internal ambient temperature. To match the brief of keeping any distraction to the minimum, the Series MN diffusers were powder coated in white, and the Series GA in black, to blend into the acoustic ceiling.

Gilberts’ Series K fixed blade extract grilles in grey linked to a bespoke WHF high performance louvre with the blades set upwards ensure efficient extraction of the used air with 35Dba noise attenuation.

Matt Feather, Director @ Bay Building Services Ltd explained, “The design and build project was complex: what began as a small refurbishment turned into a much bigger scheme to meet UCLAN’s requirements. We know from experience that Gilberts will always deliver the quality of product at a competitive price, and have the capability to flex with a changing brief.”

All Gilberts’ products- standard lines and bespoke solutions- are designed and developed in accordance with BS EN ISO 9001:2015 quality standard in the company’s state of the art 140,000 ft2 facility in Blackpool.

https://gilbertsblackpool.com

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