Modular solution reduces backlog at North Devon Hospital

In this interview, Marsh Pullen, Capital Contracts Manager for the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, explains the process of procuring a modular building from Wernick. This includes the benefits of the modular building method, the challenges of the project and the feedback from the end users.

 

“We required a new building to increase our elective bed capacity to assist with the backlog of elective surgical patients that the trust currently has.
A modular building was chosen primarily because of speed of deployment, but also because it complimented the space that we had on site and it minimized disruption and the build time on the actual hospital site.

 

 

 

 

 

Procurement

We went out to the marketplace using the modular building framework and we had a specification of our requirements. Wernick were able to offer a very competitive package and they were a clear winner.
We raised an order with Wernick Buildings and 20 week later we were delivered a fully compliant, completed building. One week after that we were treating patients in it.
We asked Wernick to deliver a compliant ward. What they actually delivered was above and beyond that because although it is compliant it also aligns with our standard specification for mechanical and electrical items which means that our users, clinical users, are familiar right out the box of how all of the systems work.

 

 

 

 

Challenges

We had some logistical challenges with the install which the Wernick build team were able to overcome. The ward is in a bit of a tight corner of the hospital. It also needed to marry in with the existing structure to allow patients to transit to and from the main building and it also had to be undertaken on the site of an acute care hospital which is at full capacity all of the time and the Wernick team were able to undertake the work with minimal disruption.
Wernick and the design team on the clinical side worked really, really well together. There was a lot of harmony. Whenever we had a problem it was overcome collectively – and that proactive attitude shows through on the outcome that we’ve got a successfully delivered ward within the timeframe.

 

Feedback

The feedback from the end users is great. Everybody that’s looked at it so far absolutely loves it. It’s a 21st century ward with all of the mod cons and all of the elements that it requires to treat the patients we need it to.
Our experience of working with the Wernick build team is very professional, they said they could deliver us a ward on time, on budget and they have, and that speaks volumes.
I can’t speak highly enough, really, they’ve delivered us a fantastic ward which I’d put up against any ward in the UK for quality, speed of delivery, and affordability.”

www.wernick.co.uk

 

 

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TG Escapes design Biophilic School concept using MMC

Young people in the UK today are facing a perfect storm. The 21st century has seen technology impact natural human interaction whilst the pandemic has compounded the problems associated with reduced socialisation and global warming is a growing source of anxiety. It is no wonder that the mental well-being of children and young people is falling under this huge strain which is representing a key challenge for schools, teachers and parents. As many as 10% of children aged five to 16 have a clinically diagnosable mental health problem [¹].   Currently, one third of people aged eight to 24 report an increase in mental health and wellbeing issues [²].

Exposure to Nature

Whilst it is clear that there is not a single, magic solution to the problem, it is well known that reconnection with nature can play a major role in enhancing a child’s development, mental resilience and capacity to thrive and learn. A study between Aarhus University in Denmark and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in the US, children who grow up in greener surroundings have up to 55% less risk of developing various mental disorders. Biophilia, or a love of the natural world, is programmed into our DNA and appropriate architectural design can serve to nurture our deep-rooted need to connect to nature.

Biophilic Design

Biophilic design in classrooms has been shown to boost children’s wellbeing both physically and mentally. Noisy, open plan classrooms can cause stress and fatigue which can be alleviated by exposure to nature resulting in improved cognitive ability and emotional wellbeing. Furthermore, adding sensory elements from the living natural environment can inspire curiosity, imagination and discovery whilst offering a significant boost to learning by way of increased attendance, improved behaviour and increased focus.
Improved Educational Outcomes
These benefits have been proven by a variety of scientific experiments. One study by A Sigman shows that children exposed to nature scored higher on concentration and self-discipline than control group students and performed better in core curricular subjects. Another study by Human Spaces found that by optimising exposure to daylight, attendance can increase by more than three and a half days a year, whilst test scores can improve by between 5 and 14% with speed of learning boosted by as much as 26%. A further study has shown that a timber classroom can reduce the heart rate of occupants by 8600 beats per day versus a traditional classroom, indicating stress relief.

A Biophilic School

Having practised the implementation of biophilic design principles for many years, TG Escapes wanted to design an entirely biophilic primary school that is sensitive to the environment, cost effective and practical to build using modern methods of construction.  They have designed a new single-entry nursery and primary concept school. Constructed almost entirely from timber, the school will have a low embodied carbon value; be highly sustainable and net-zero in its lifetime. Furthermore, it will be more affordable to build, maintain and run than traditionally constructed buildings. In addition, renewable energy generation will be built into the design at every opportunity.
The design comprises separate pavilions for various school functions, connected by covered walkways and canopies and arranged to envelop a central landscaped, terraced area with an outdoor class at its centre. This promotes an interaction and connection with nature. It encourages sociability and play, whilst maximising the opportunity for outdoor learning, exercise and fresh air in all weathers.

Cost and Carbon

The building will be cost effective to build and to operate and extremely eco-friendly. As TG Escapes are utilising an existing, panelised modular system, they are able to make a whole life carbon calculation. The total cost of the build, (excluding landscaping and services which will be site specific) will be £4m. Comparing this design to the EBDOG benchmark survey for primary, the scheme provides 7.31m2 per pupil (including circulation) versus the benchmark 5.69m2. The benchmark shows that an average cost of a net-zero school is around £2500 pm2. Their biophilic buildings come in at only £1,823 pm2 leaving plenty of headroom for external works.  The whole life carbon calculation exceeds the RIBA 2030 target for schools.

Biophilic Schools. Better for the Environment. Better for our Children

TG Escapes believe that our relationship with nature is a cornerstone foundation for robust mental health and a young mind’s capacity for learning. They are working with MTM Consulting to identify a suitable site to build a biophilic school that can help to provide a better future for our children and the world in which they live. They are also happy to work with education groups should they have a project to suit this biophilic approach.

For more information call 0800 917 7726

or CLICK HERE to email TG Escapes

or CLICK HERE to visit their website

 

 

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A CLEAR DIRECTION FOR HONG KONG’S BUILDING CAPACITY

Arcadis, the leading design and consultancy organization for natural and built assets, welcomes proposals set out in “The 2023-24 Budget”, to support people in need and sustain the impetus to economic recovery through high-quality development.

Responding, Francis Au, Greater China Growth Director said:

 

“Arcadis welcomes the Government budget measures, with clear direction and specific goals for the development of Northern Metropolis and Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands. We are pleased the HKSAR Government is supporting the extensive application of advanced technologies in Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) to improve certainty on budget, quality and delivery time of projects.”

 

Develop Northern Metropolis and Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands

The Northern Metropolis is an important base for promoting the development of livable spaces and supporting the Innovation and Technology industries, thereby facilitating high-quality economic co-operation between Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area. In parallel, the Budget also outlined preliminary proposals on the scope of reclamation, land use, transport infrastructure networks and financial arrangements regarding the Kau Yi Chau artificial islands. Arcadis embraces the multi-pronged approach by HKSAR Government, which will compress major projects time by half, from more than 10 years in the previous plan. Hence, more land resources will be released for public and private developments to improve quality of life for Hong Kong citizens.

Application of Innovation and Technology in the Construction Industry

Arcadis has developed an advanced forecasting model to predict Hong Kong construction manpower in the coming five years. The model suggests there will be a shortage of around 40,000 skilled workers and 15,000 professionals, supervisors, and technicians. Enhancing training and recruitment while driving the adoption of advanced construction methods and new technologies should be prioritized to increase capacity. We are delighted the Government addressed these issues and planned HKD $75 million for conducting studies on establishing the Building Testing and Research Institute, constructing an advanced construction industry building, and strengthening the supply chain for Modular Integrated Construction (MiC).

Francis Au added:

 

“By capitalizing on both our local and global expertise, we see opportunities to devise new standards, conduct testing and provide accreditation and related products to align with those in the international and China markets.

“In addition, innovative ideas for implementing large-scale infrastructure projects can deliver benefits on time and on budget. We should consider partnerships between customers, consultants, contractors and suppliers, such as early contractor and supplier involvement, as well as revenue sharing mechanisms in procurement strategies.”

Source: Cision

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THE OFFSITE GUIDE, LAUNCH

The Offsite Guide – A Revolutionary One-Stop Resource for Modern Methods of Construction (MMC).

 

Launched in January 2023 The Offsite Guide is the first B2B marketplace in the UK and Europe for MMC – a platform for businesses to explore options for using Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and interact with specialist manufacturers.

As a marketplace TOG facilitates engagement between key market participants and drives awareness of the many benefits of MMC including more efficient production, economies of scale and repeatability. In doing so it provides a central point of reference for product variety, availability, & pricing specification. Crucially, it provides a platform for direct communication between a wide range of providers and their potential customers in this fragmented market.

For TOG Partners, listing MMC case studies & solutions on the Offsite Guide marketplace is a cost-effective method for manufacturers to bring in targeted traffic. Partners listings can easily be found under various search categories that can subtlety hand off and complement other marketing channels in the marketeer’s toolbox. Listing as a partner will also assist the partner company’s own website SEO ranking in an effective and cost-efficient way.

The Offsite Guide – A Revolutionary One-Stop Resource for Modern Methods of Construction (MMC).

 

Launched in January 2023 The Offsite Guide is the first B2B marketplace in the UK and Europe for MMC – a platform for businesses to explore options for using Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and interact with specialist manufacturers.

As a marketplace TOG facilitates engagement between key market participants and drives awareness of the many benefits of MMC including more efficient production, economies of scale and repeatability. In doing so it provides a central point of reference for product variety, availability, & pricing specification. Crucially, it provides a platform for direct communication between a wide range of providers and their potential customers in this fragmented market.

 

“At The Offsite Guide we attract and facilitate early interaction with customers, allowing manufacturers of commercial and domestic modular buildings and offsite solutions to showcase a range of their products & help educate potential customers. We provide a trusted platform not only for showcasing offsite construction, but also to facilitate initial dialogue and ongoing interaction between customers, manufacturers and MMC suppliers.” Ingrid Orbie – Director

THE OFFSITE GUIDE

 

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CANADA: Why Toronto must look to Prefab to Solve its Housing Crisis

Prefabrication and modular factory-built housing are on the rise in many parts of the world. In light of Toronto’s current housing supply crisis, we should be embracing these innovative ways of building.

We are in desperate need of new housing and building more prefab and modular units is one way to help tackle the growing problem. By moving in that direction, developers can significantly reduce construction costs, improve quality and productivity, reduce waste and make worksites safer.

Countries like Sweden and Japan are significantly more advanced that us on the modular and prefab front. They have adopted off-site construction to tackle their housing crisis with amazing results.

In Sweden, 84% of the country’s residential construction market share is prefabricated in the shop and then assembled on-site. The country is widely regarded as the global leader in off-site modular construction.

A country-wide, performance-based code has been adopted in Sweden that makes it easier for factories to build homes. The new rules mean the specs are the same for every municipality. They can choose whatever structural system makes sense for their operation, as long as it passes a code check.

Lindbäcks Bygg has invested in automation and cutting-edge technology and assembly line robotics to produce over 25,000 sq. ft of turnkey housing per week. Lumber company Derome also changed its business model to efficiently produce prefabricated building components.

In Japan, meanwhile, about 15% of the country’s new homes are now manufactured off-site. Poland, a recent arrival on the scene, now builds and ships units to hotel developments in other countries.

Sekisui Hiems, one of the largest prefabricated manufacturers in the world, operates many factories across the country, building 14,000 new homes each year — on assembly lines much like car manufacturing.

We must follow their lead.

If we emulate their approach and make use of modern manufacturing and building techniques that allow homes to be built faster and with fewer workers, it would help boost our housing supply.

I recently had the opportunity to learn more about some of the latest innovations in modular construction at the recent annual conference of the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat in Chicago.

One of the unique ventures highlighted was a 50-storey modular housing project built in the U.K. by Vision Modular Systems Ltd., which manufactures modules for the construction industry in a controlled assembly-line environment. In the factory, automated production lines transfer the modules through the manufacturing process where internal and some external finishes are applied before the units are shipped. The modules have structural steel frames and solid concrete floors.

High-rise buildings using Vision modules have a reinforced concrete core. The factory-built modules are lifted into place by cranes and seamed together.

One of the company’s projects, College Road in London, England, is comprised of 937 residential units over two towers, 35 and 50 storeys tall. Construction took 32 months.

There are other examples.

In New York City, for instance, the world’s tallest modular hotel, the citizenM Bowery, a 19-storey structure, was built a few years ago by a Dutch company. The building consists of 210 modules, stacked in 15 storeys on a three-storey concrete podium with an underground cellar. The steel-framed modules were shipped to the site in the Lower East Side of New York and then assembled in place.

With Ontario facing a dire shortage of housing, along with the prospect of many workers retiring in the next few years, it is imperative that we find new ways to build homes and condo towers quicker.

There are a myriad of reasons to look at prefab or modular construction.

Modular construction makes economic sense. According to conclusions by architects and engineers in a 2020 report by Dodge Data & Analytics, it has a positive impact on work schedules and budgets, results in improved safety performance, and reduces the waste that is generated by construction.

Panels and modules are built in a controlled factory setting and, when shipped to a site, can be erected and enclosed quickly, with little waste.

With the province setting the ambitious goal of producing 1.5 million homes over the next decade, we must look to new ways of building. Off-site construction certainly fits the bill.

Source: Storeys

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VBC LAUNCHES PROTOTYPE MODULAR HOTEL FOR FAIRFIELD BY MARRIOTT

 

Global modular building specialist, Volumetric Building Companies, has developed and launched the first modular prototype for a new hotel concept to help accelerate the expansion of the Fairfield by Marriott brand across Europe.

 

Fairfield by Marriott is Marriott International’s second largest brand based on the number of hotels, with over 1,200 properties worldwide.

The new 136 guestroom prototype modular hotel has been developed to reflect the principles of European architecture and design, and to deliver fast and adaptable construction using advanced offsite manufacturing technology.

Marriott estimates that the offsite solution will reduce the build programme by around eight months for earlier trading which will have a hugely beneficial impact on revenue and cashflow for developers and operators.

The modular approach to construction will allow the flexibility to adapt the design to specific site requirements and the needs of each local market. It will be financially competitive to build and operate, generating value for owners and providing consistent quality and service for hotel guests.

The Fairfield by Marriott hotel concept has been designed by Marriott for urban locations and secondary or tertiary cities across Europe, specifically targeting the more mature hotel markets in the UK, Ireland, France, and Germany.

Paul Thomas, Vice President for International Hotel Development at Marriott International, said, “We are extremely pleased with the partnership with VBC and are keen to build on our longstanding relationship. Following this collaboration, we have now launched the first approved modular hotel room in Europe for the fast-growing Fairfield brand. This is a very appealing offer for hotel investors, owners, and franchisees in terms of design, branding and pricing.”

“We think the time is right for expansion of this upper midscale, select service hotel brand across Europe and the prototype has already generated significant interest from developers. This is a highly efficient economic model which will deliver strong results for investors and hotel owners.”

Andy Smith, UK Director at VBC said, “This application of advanced modular technology will help to address some of the challenges facing developers – construction will be faster, acoustics are improved with less noise transmission between modules, and quality is more consistent.”

“Manufacturing the hotel rooms in a controlled factory environment means a reduced carbon footprint and less waste. And by maximising work offsite, developing constrained urban locations is also much easier – from airport sites to out-of-town business parks.”

“This design has been localised and developed specifically for the European market, with different room sizes, fixtures and fittings to the US Fairfield model. The prototype was very well received with real excitement when we showcased it in Gdansk in Poland and at an investor event in Munich.”

 

The prototype hotel room manufactured by VBC reflects the design philosophy of the Fairfield by Marriott brand and is furnished in a contemporary style with a Scandinavian aesthetic.

Each steel-framed module contains a fully furnished room, ensuite, hallway, and corridor section. The VBC system is suitable for hotels up to 20 storeys.

All the furniture and the ensuite for the hotel rooms would also be manufactured inhouse by VBC and installed offsite for a faster, more efficient, and seamless service, and a repeatable quality of finish.

There are two room layouts for the new European prototype hotel which are efficiently designed to deliver exactly what guests want, combined with operational efficiencies and maximum room count.

 

VBC has delivered three modular hotels in the UK for Marriott International to date and has wide-ranging and proven experience in the hospitality sector, manufacturing buildings for other major global brands in the UK, Europe and across the world, including Hilton, Accor, Intercontinental Hotels, Whitbread, and citizenM.

 

For further information, visit www.vbc.co/uk or email enquiries@vbc.co.

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Rail-based flow production of modular homes

 

 

 

By Derek Peter Clark, founder and co-owner of intra-logistics specialist LOSCYO GmbH, Bielefeld, Germany

An innovative solution for offsite construction puts the building units onto rail-based platforms. The system requires minimal power. The rails are installed flush with the floor and create no barriers on the shopfloor. This enables efficient factory-line production with determined cycle times.

 

 

 

The LOXrail intra-logistics system enables modular building units to be transported through all stages of offsite construction – Image courtesy of ilke Homes, UK

Modular or 3D volumetric construction has triggered a surge in innovation in the construction industry. Improving on conventional prefabrication, which is mostly limited to standardised wall and floor panels, modular construction raises the ratio of works that can be completed in factories to 70% to 90%, depending on the design and the degree of sophistication and individualisation. This makes it an efficient alternative to conventional construction methods, and particularly expedient in light of coinciding deficits in affordable housing, building materials and skilled workers. According to official numbers, 300,000 additional housing units per year will be needed by the mid-2020s. Modular construction provides a reliable way to reduce planning and building time, effort and costs. In addition to individual homes, it is also an attractive solution for housing associations, cooperatives, and municipal developers, allowing them to provide new, high-quality housing in larger quantities within a reasonable timeframe. There are already several big players that specialise exclusively in modular building, covering various sizes from single detached homes to entire blocks of flats, as well as larger buildings for the commercial or public sector such as schools, kindergartens and office blocks.

 

One-piece flow production of modular homes

As most works are shifted from construction sites to a factory, logistics become of uttermost importance to productivity and efficiency. Following the example of automotive production lines, the spatial separation of individual crafts and construction steps along a production line is most efficient. Thereby, the manufacturing cycle can be clearly structured to run smoothly without collisions and with reliable, transparent material logistics ensuring that the tools and resources for each craft are always on hand when needed. The high proportion of standardised, pre-produced components reduces the need for skilled workers. While the construction of a conventional prefabricated house with onsite assembly of wall and floor panels takes several months, modular homes are completed in a matter of days in such production lines, with transport to the destination and erection also taking only a few days. Moving entire building modules through a factory requires suitable means of transport. The LOXrail system from German manufacturer LOSYCO, originally developed for the manufacturing industries, provides a robust and highly efficient intra-logistics solution for offsite construction. LOXrail tracks and networks can be adapted to individual plant layouts and ergonomically integrated with existing handling solutions such as overhead cranes, lifting platforms, conveyors, automated manipulators or robots.

 

Low-power ergonomic transport solution

The intra-logistics specialists at LOSYCO have already realised rail-based production lines for modular construction companies in Europe, the UK, the US and Dubai. The low-height transport platforms provide full access from all sides. Workers can step onto them and complete all necessary jobs as they would on the shopfloor. The tracks are laid flush with the floor and thus pose no obstacle for workers, carts or pallet jacks. The hardened steel wheels and round rails are shaped for minimal rolling friction. Bulky and heavy loads can be transported with minimal power, or even pushed by hand. The transport platforms are designed to the particular requirements of the customer. LOSYCO has implemented LOXrail transport solutions for modular housing units measuring up to 40 m² and weighing more than 20 tons. The rails are available in CF53 precision steel or stainless steel with 25 mm or 40 mm diameters for payloads up to 60 tons. The manufacturer offers various customisation options: single tracks or networks including cross-connections between production lines and different ways to power the transport platforms.

 

Platforms for manual transport or featuring auxiliary drives are designed to individual requirements – image courtesy of MaxHaus, Germany

 

Streamlined production

The LOXrail system is an economic, low-maintenance and resilient transport solution that enables modular construction companies to fully utilise the potential of factory-line production. Offsite construction of 3D volumetric units means that almost all construction stages can be completed much more quickly, under repeatable, weather-independent conditions, reducing costs and saving resources and with continuous quality monitoring. Fully equipped modular homes manufactured in one-piece flow production eliminate the need for lengthy planning and elaborate design and coordination work at the construction site, while ensuring consistently high quality standards throughout all production phases. All jobs are seamlessly integrated in an efficient project schedule as almost the entire construction is carried out on the assembly line. Noise and pollution at the building site are also minimised – improving acceptance in the neighbourhoods. Compared to conventional construction methods, offsite construction is much more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. Modular construction of a typical semi-detached house, for example, can save around 20% more energy and 10% more CO2 per m² than required by the Building Regulations Guidance, Part L1A 2016. In addition, the use of modern construction and insulation materials has a positive effect on the building’s lifetime energy balance: heating costs can be reduced to as little as a third compared to existing solid buildings.

CLICK HERE FOR THE LOSYCO WEBSITE

 

 

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IRELAND: Local authorities could receive €100m to pay off debts if they build modular homes

Government will give local authorities €100m to pay off debts if they build modular homes for housing in the next two years

Construction will have to begin in 2023 or no later than 2024 with use of ‘accelerated’ delivery

The Government will give the country’s local authorities €100 million to pay off debts if they build modular homes for housing in the next two years.

To qualify, the Department of Housing states that lands where debts will be covered have to be suitable for the “immediate development” of social housing.

Construction will have to begin in 2023 or no later than 2024 with use of “accelerated” delivery.

The move by Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien comes as it emerged this week that there is a record 11,397 people in emergency homeless accommodation, including 3,480 children.

Councils who take part in the scheme will be given access to two sources of funding totalling hundreds of millions of euros to cover outstanding debts.

It is known that local authorities carry more than €300 million of such debt.

It is also understood that around €100 million is being made available to deal with these debts and another €125 million being made available for buying more land for housing.

The Government hopes to deliver an average of 10,000 newly-built social homes every year up until 2030 but it is feared it will miss these targets this year.

It is believed Government’s preference is to use modular or quick-build techniques whenever possible to speed up the building process.

It is also understood that the Government might consider giving tax breaks to developers to encourage them to invest more in housing but this move could be resisted by the Department of Finance.

 

Source: Irish Mirror

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MMC solution to deliver 1,000 council homes

With the 300,000 new homes target now all but dropped by Government, LHC’s offsite framework is supporting public sector organisations to source MMC solutions to deliver an increasing number of council homes. LHC regional hub South West Procurement Alliance (SWPA) is now mid-way through a programme with Wiltshire Council and modular housing manufacturer Rollalong to deliver 1,000 homes over three years.

Wiltshire Council was keen to explore the possibility of using MMC to meet demand for council houses across the South West and to achieve its commitment to build 1000 new council houses in 3 years.
It needed to assure quality, while reducing maintenance costs and improving sustainability in its new build homes. While it wanted to use MMC as a solution, the Council was experiencing some challenges around establishing relationships with specialists, sourcing the right volume at the right price, and navigating complex local government procurement processes.
It looked to public sector construction framework provider LHC’s regional hub, SWPA, to procure the right expertise through its Offsite Construction of New Homes (NH2) and Offsite Project Integrator (OPI1) frameworks.

Using a framework to procure MMC expertise

Wiltshire Council was provided with a simplified route to market, enabling a call-off from the NH2 framework with fully compliant access to Rollalong, as well as a mini-competition to source expert MMC consultants Taylor Lewis through the OPI1 framework.

Mary Bennell, SWPA Director, said:
“The two frameworks go together to create a complete offering; the combined expertise of both the consultant and the manufacturer mean that many of the barriers to MMC, including the different ways of working, can be overcome.”

Several factors played a role in choosing SWPA’s NH2 and OPI1 frameworks as the procurement route. These included:

 

  • Ease of access to offsite solution manufacturers, with proven and demonstrable delivery
  • The opportunity to procure Rollalong – which was already working with Magna Housing Association in the South West – through direct award
  • Using an established portfolio of designs to deliver an initial project to get buy-in internally for using offsite solutions
  • Access to the OPI1 consultancy framework, through which Taylor Lewis was appointed via a mini competition

 

Bringing the project to life

Over an 18-month period, which involved multiple Zoom calls to navigate the need to move the project along despite Covid-19 lockdowns, Wiltshire Council agreed shared house types that comply fully with NDSS. With the addition of PV, they are also effectively carbon neutral in operation.
Now in contract with Wiltshire Council, Rollalong is manufacturing the units for the first 19 homes, five of which will be wheelchair-accessible bungalows, to be transported and completed on three pilot sites.
The decision-making process, and the timescales for making key decisions, are quite different with MMC compared to traditional building methods because everything must be decided before production begins. Delays in decision making can have major implications for production or delivery and could even lead to losing a factory slot.

Community Benefits

Establishing what good social value looks like for a framework is vital to SWPA, as well as its public sector clients. For Wiltshire Council, this went beyond achieving value for money, and included a focus on meeting low carbon objectives using local companies with nearby factories to reduce emissions. Here, the local supply chain has also been used to subcontract mechanical and electrical contractors, electrical engineers, roofing contractors and ground workers.
As a member of SWPA, Wiltshire Council has also been able to access the South West Community Benefit fund. This grant programme, which is run by SWPA and delivered in partnership with South West Community Matters, delivers grants to small community groups in each client’s area.
The new NH3 framework from SWPA, which replaces NH2, will further help to deliver community benefits, while addressing some of the new housing challenges within the public sector. It aims to maintain a strong focus on sustainable methods of construction, creating a greater supply of housing stock that is environmentally fit for the future.

Dean Fazackerley, head of technical procurement at LHC, said:
“The NH3 framework will build on the success of NH2, which has so far enabled £93.5m-worth of projects with a total forecast value of £277m. It has contributed to the number of low-carbon, modern apartments and homes for housing associations and local authorities across the country, using modern methods of construction and offsite techniques to produce cheaper-to-heat homes for the communities they serve.”

ROLLALONG WEBSITE

www.lhc.gov.uk/frameworks

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Modular timber frame buildings providing flexible provision for SEND & SEMH

TG Escapes modular eco-buildings have provided more than 300 education buildings in various settings UK wide. Over the past few years there has been a significant increase in demand from special schools and for SEND provision in mainstream schools.

Those working in SEND and SEMH report that a timber frame building using natural materials, with floor to ceiling windows and glass doors, also providing easy access to the outdoors with covered walkways, provide a particularly suitable environment.
Each TG Escapes building is architect designed with specific needs in mind. Small rooms can be included for breakout spaces while treatment rooms and sensory rooms can be easily accommodated, as can accessible toilets, ramps and kitchens.
The natural materials and excellent acoustics provide calming spaces which have a significant and positive impact on student and staff well-being.
Two recent projects have seen the provision of a building to connect to a SEND garden at Chichester College which provides further and higher education, and a multi-purpose building at Mountfield Heath SEMH school for students aged 5-11 with complex and challenging needs.
We asked Executive Head at Mountfield Heath, Lyndsey Jefferies about the process and the building.

How did you find the construction service?

“I think the most important thing to share from my experience was the actual build. We were quite a small site and the space the team had to work in was tight but they were fantastic. They were so respectful of the fact they were working on a site with special needs children. They kept us up to date with what plant was coming on-site and knew that many of our children were very excited to see it. They let us know what machinery was coming and when so that the kids could be very involved and watch what was happening. Also, in terms of their conduct, we have previously had workmen here smoking, using foul language and playing loud radios. The TG Escapes team were just so respectful.
Timing was tight but every delivery came in spot on schedule. This really helped with us to be able to let our neighbours know when big deliveries were due which made the build less stressful. Dealing with complaints from neighbours can be tricky, but we could give them advance warning of large deliveries and noisy building work. It also meant I could move children to other parts of the school when needed.”
How is the eco-building working out?
“The first thing is it feels lovely. It feels very bright and airy and because we are in quite a rural area it really is in keeping with the woodland, the trees and the fields. It doesn’t look out of place with our environment.
The natural materials change the feel of it and I think for a modular build it feels really solid and robust. The other thing is all the rooms have got lots of light, but there has been careful consideration about it. The kitchen area is a long galley with floor to ceiling windows that maximise the natural light.
The height of the ceilings is another massive plus. Often the ceilings in modular builds are very low so you feel very enclosed, but our ceilings are of a really good height which gives a feeling of space. A lot of our children suffer from sensory processing issues and so the lighting and the feel of a space are very important, as are the acoustics. The acoustics in our building are very good. Although many modular builds are very echoey ours is not because of the ceiling tiles which are different to the rest of the school. We also have adaptive ventilation, due to our concerns about Covid, and air conditioning which are also great. The insulation is phenomenal and the building heats up very quickly then holds the heat. It’s very efficient.
What works very well are the verandas. Having the decking coming straight off the front, that indoor/outdoor space works very well with our children. TG Escapes took full consideration of the school environment and maintained excellent communication.”

Robert Kay, Director of Estates at Chichester College says “TG Escapes provide a real ‘turn key’ solution, and take care of everything, from design to planning and final installation.”
TG Escapes modular eco-buildings offer a complete design and build service.

CLICK HERE for more information and case studies

CALL 0800 917 7726

CLICK HERE to email TG Escapes

 

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