A 3D Solution to the Housing Crisis
Trevor Richards, Director of Cogent Consulting reveals that advancements in offsite technology is an area where the UK is leading the way and outlines the resurgence and future of low-rise structural timber volumetric modular technology.
For every crisis there is at least one resolution, but the best solutions often go through many incarnations before reaching the optimal performance. The shortfall in quality housing stock is driving innovation in the structural timber arena but as the crisis unfolds, the best brains are looking at practical solutions that will not only deliver at scale but also increase quality and productivity.
Once, traditional brick and block was the mainstay of the volume housing sector, however driven by an escalating need, many housebuilders turned to panelised structural timber systems – first with open panel and now increasingly with closed panel systems. Some early adopters are now looking to the latest advancements for further improvements and create ‘added value’ from offsite systems.
The future is a far cry from the dust and dirt of a traditional building site and looks more like something out of a futuristic movie where entire homes are produced and delivered to site complete in a volumetric format – the ‘plug and play’ equivalent for the construction sector. Once thought to be the domain of budget hotels and student accommodation – volumetric modular technology is now penetrating the low-rise housing industry – across all price ranges and sectors, from architecturally designed homes to affordable housing projects.
At the beginning of the year, analysts working on behalf of The Times newspaper, predicted that 2018 will be the breakthrough year for modular housing, stating that more than 15,000 homes in Britain are built this way each year, but the government wants to increase access to finance for offsite manufacturers, with the aim of raising the figure to 100,000 a year by 2020.
Once only available as a kit of parts and more recently as a flat pack panelised solution – timber frame systems have evolved and now some of the more innovative manufacturers have developed fully finished volumetric modular units. For example, ModularWise is one such company – they have dedicated the last two years to developing fully finished volumetric house modules, with 90% of the building, both internally and externally – completed within highly controlled factory conditions and only 10% commissioning and finishing work completed onsite.
Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) manufacturers are also seizing the opportunity. Delivering rapid and robust energy efficient buildings, with superior insulation, structural strength and airtightness – volumetric modular SIP technology, is considered a viable option when working to meet the shortfall in low-rise housing stock. An accelerated build time reduces site prelim expenditure and provides a quicker return on capital outlay. Ramping up volume can be achieved without the same capital employed as traditional means.
According to Legal & General Modular Homes – a revolution is coming, and they are certainly leading the way. The company’s vision is ambitious and investment in the world’s largest modular homes factory is testament to their commitment to inject capital into the housing sector. Located in Selby, near Leeds, their 550,000ft2 factory produces a range of typologies with the capacity to produce up to 3,000 homes per year. Legal & General has a long heritage in providing housing in the UK and sees modular construction as a natural evolution and extension to its position in the offsite market.
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Modular Matters
For those interested in discovering more about innovative building technology, Darren Richards, Managing Director of Cogent Consulting will be chairing the Modular Matters conference and exhibition. Taking place at the NEC, Birmingham on the 30 October 2018, the event will focus on the latest developments, innovations and investments in the volumetric modular offsite sector.
For more information go to: www.modularmatters.co.uk
