Award-winning shared ownership provider SO Resi recently launched its latest phase of new homes in the capital, SO Resi Hendon Waterside, comprising 42 studio, one and two-bedroom apartments, as well as two and three-bedroom duplex homes. According to research from Zoopla, the average first time buyer deposit in London now
Leading property management firm Rendall & Rittner has been appointed as the management company for Minster Court, a highly-regarded retirement community located in Axminster, Devon. Built in 2004, Minster Court comprises 44 one and two bedroom apartments that provide accommodation for residents of retirement age. The property will be an
Property owners and tenants in the UK are largely in the dark about the future options for heating their homes and many remain unconvinced about the Government’s focus in supporting them with the switch to more sustainable heat sources, according to a new survey by Wolseley, one of the country’s
One of Westminster City Council’s flagship regeneration projects, which delivers on the authority’s commitment to increasing the availability of social housing, has reached a major milestone. Councillor Adam Hug, Leader of the Council, this week performed the ‘topping out’ of Phase 1 of the Ebury Bridge regeneration in Knightsbridge and
Golding Homes’ Somerfield Terrace development in Maidstone has seen the arrival of its cutting-edge, factory built “fully modular” homes. The houses were manufactured in three parts by leading fully modular developer TopHat at their Derbyshire factory, fully fitted with kitchens and bathrooms, then transported to Maidstone, lifted into position by
I wanted to share a new case study on behalf of RWC, who have recently supported the renovation of a high rise development in Chelsea. High-rise living forms a critical part of the solution to the growing demand for homes across the UK. To ensure the success of these buildings,
Situated seven degrees west of the Greenwich Meridian, and exposed to some of the harshest weather conditions anywhere in the British Isles, the Hebrides present a challenging location for building projects, prompting a recently-established building company to adopt offsite construction technologies which make full use of the technical and environmental
The extent to which Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) is present in residential buildings and the risk levels presented is currently unclear, and we appreciate that media coverage, conflicting reports and misinformation may be leading to questions and concerns from clients and residents alike. RAAC is a form of lightweight
Oxford City Council has acquired over 100 homes from housebuilder The Hill Group at Oxford North’s Canalside development, south of the A40. The new homes, part of the first 317 energy-efficient new homes that Hill is delivering at Canalside, will bring vital affordable housing to the Oxford market, which currently
A pioneering cleantech company is set to unveil its prototype flatpack home built using sustainable and advanced materials after undergoing testing at a ground-breaking research facility in Greater Manchester. Vector Homes is working with Energy House 2.0, part of the University of Salford, to develop its new rapid-build housing system.
Award-winning shared ownership provider SO Resi recently launched its latest phase of new homes in the capital, SO Resi Hendon Waterside, comprising 42 studio, one and two-bedroom apartments, as well as two and three-bedroom duplex homes. According to research from Zoopla, the average first time buyer deposit in London now stands at a staggering £63,750 , compared with the UK average of £34,500. SO Resi Hendon Waterside will offer a more accessible route to homeownership, with the new homes exclusively available to purchase through shared ownership. Shares in the homes at Hendon Waterside will be available from 25%, with prices starting from £84,375, which means that a deposit for a home could be as low as £4,218.75. The development will appeal to young professionals and commuters in the capital and surrounding Home Counties looking to place a foot onto the property ladder. All homes incorporate a high specification as standard, with features such as laminated worktops and upstands, fully fitted kitchens with Zanussi and Electrolux appliances and selected apartments including a parking space too. Open-plan living is also incorporated here, with generously proportioned bedrooms for ample space for working from home needs. Kevin Sims, Director of Sales at SO Resi, comments: “The average cost of a first time buyer deposit in London continues to rise, so it is little surprise that many young people feel priced out of buying a home in the capital. Shared ownership is becoming an increasingly attractive prospect for buyers, thanks to its flexibility and low five per cent deposit requirement. At SO Resi Hendon Waterside, prices start from £84,375 for a 25% share which is a far more achievable goal for many aspirational first time buyers. “Hendon is an appealing location for young people, thanks to its fantastic amenities, excellent connections and most importantly, a more accessible price point when compared to other London postcodes. We are especially looking forward to introducing our larger three-bedroom duplex apartments, which offer a unique chance for families looking for more space in the capital to make use of the shared ownership scheme. Previously, we have seen extremely strong demand on homes at this development and predict this phase to be no different as first time buyers look to escape the rental trap and get onto the property ladder.” Hendon Waterside forms part of the wider £9.6 billion North West London regeneration scheme by Barnet and Brent Borough Councils. The development sits in the heart of the Welsh Harp Reservoir which offers scenic trails, waterside footpaths and green sheltered woods for residents to enjoy. For retail options, the borough’s rejuvenated Broadway has seen a range of well-known shops, bars, and restaurants open in the town centre. Further afield, Brent Cross Shopping Centre is just a five-minute drive away and serves as North London’s go-to shopping and entertainment destination. Located in Zone 3 on the London Underground, the development has excellent transport links offering services from Hendon Railway Station, which is just a short walk from the development, and Hendon Central tube station, reaching central London via the Northern Line in under 20 minutes. Road connections also will serve residents well, with the M1 and M25 motorways within easy reach, and Heathrow Airport approximately half an hour away. SO Resi Hendon Waterside offers a collection of 42 studio, one and two-bedroom apartments and two to three-bedroom duplexes available through shared ownership, with prices starting from ££84,375 for a 25% share in a studio home [full market value: £337,500]. To find out more, visit www.soresi.co.uk or call 020 8607 0550. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading property management firm Rendall & Rittner has been appointed as the management company for Minster Court, a highly-regarded retirement community located in Axminster, Devon. Built in 2004, Minster Court comprises 44 one and two bedroom apartments that provide accommodation for residents of retirement age. The property will be an impressive addition to Rendall & Rittner’s extensive portfolio of managed later living accommodation when the company takes up its duties on November 1st, 2023. Lee Johnson, Divisional Director at Rendall & Rittner, comments, “Minster Court is a cherished retirement community and we are very pleased to be entrusted with its care. Our property management approach of extensive personal communication allied to sensitivity and thoughtfulness, align perfectly with the community ethos at the property.” Minster Court features a range of modern conveniences for residents including lift to all floors, a well-appointed residents’ lounge, laundry facilities, and a guest suite for visitors. A 24-hour emergency Careline response system also provides residents with both comfort and security. For over 30 years Rendall & Rittner has provided a dedicated service for later living accommodation delivered by an in-house expert team. The company is also a member of ARHM which provides specialised standards for the retirement and later living sector. Rendall & Rittner manage later living homes nationwide via its network of offices in Bournemouth, London, Milton Keynes and Manchester. The retirement portfolio is managed by locally based teams which enables Rendall & Rittner to provide an expert service, supported by high-quality locally based contractors. Find out more at: https://www.rendallandrittner.co.uk/about-us/our-regions/south-west/. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Property owners and tenants in the UK are largely in the dark about the future options for heating their homes and many remain unconvinced about the Government’s focus in supporting them with the switch to more sustainable heat sources, according to a new survey by Wolseley, one of the country’s largest specialist providers of heating and cooling systems. The poll indicated an alarmingly low level of awareness of alternatives to gas and oil-fired boilers, and demonstrated a broad need for improved public clarity and understanding as the Government moves ahead with revised energy transition policies following its announcement on 20th September. Responses from 1,000 homeowners and tenants across the UK found that: Of the people surveyed, 54% were renters and 42% owned their home. The survey found a crucial knowledge gap among households, suggesting that the Government needs to provide greater clarity and information: These findings follow the Government’s announcement, which saw the delay to a number of key net zero commitments. The Government plans to extend the ban on diesel and petrol cars, as well as the ban on the sale of new gas boilers, to 2035. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant is also due to rise from £5,000 to £7,500. “Homeowners are still waiting for the Government to clarify how the energy transition will be accomplished. We need more information on the options, an acknowledgement that no single technology will be the solution, better listening to homeowners and installers, and clear alignment of public funds and policy in the areas where it is needed most. Following the recent announcement by the Prime Minister there is even more of a policy vacuum to support reduction of carbon in the home. Policy will need to address the very significant up-front costs to homeowners, and ideally acknowledge a role for hybrid heat pump systems that can offer carbon reductions at a lower cost to the homeowner in many cases” said Simon Oakland, CEO, Wolseley Group. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
One of Westminster City Council’s flagship regeneration projects, which delivers on the authority’s commitment to increasing the availability of social housing, has reached a major milestone. Councillor Adam Hug, Leader of the Council, this week performed the ‘topping out’ of Phase 1 of the Ebury Bridge regeneration in Knightsbridge and Belgravia – the symbolic stage when construction reaches its highest point of the building – by laying the final piece of the construction frame alongside lead contractor Bouygues UK. Once complete, the Ebury Bridge scheme will deliver the highest number of new socially rented properties in the borough for 50 years, fulfilling a pledge of the current administration and at a time of acute need for affordable housing in central London. Westminster has increased the number of new socially rented properties at the scheme from 41 to 171, bringing the number of new or replacement council homes for social rent to 370. Following a resident ballot earlier this year, where 91% of residents voted in favour of the scheme, the council has been able to gain £41m in funding support from the Mayor of London. Cllr Hug said: “This is an exciting moment in the delivery of the Ebury Bridge regeneration scheme. Residents who have had to move away, to enable the new homes to be built, will know their moves back are not far away. “Since introducing our ‘truly affordable’ housing strategy at the end of last year, we’ve increased the number of council homes for social rent across our pipeline. Ebury is one of the largest schemes that will see this increase come to fruition. “The building we are stood on today gives all existing Ebury families the chance to come back to a new home. This is part of our commitment to keeping the community together for generations to come.” The first residents will start moving in next autumn as the 226-home phase one, across a range of tenures, completes. Some 781 homes are being delivered across all three phases at Ebury, which will also deliver important facilities and spaces to support the health and wellbeing of residents including a new community hub, nursery, play facilities, fitness centre and four high-quality public squares and pocket parks. As housing demand rises, maximising the number and quality of affordable homes is a key pledge in the Fair Westminster strategy and includes new social housing, new intermediate rent homes and homes for sale and rent with plans for more than 2,000 new homes by 2027. As well as the Ebury scheme, Westminster’s other key regeneration project is at Church Street in the north of the borough, with plans to build 1,120 high quality new homes, with over 50 per cent affordable housing. The Ebury scheme is being built by Bouygues UK, which has donated £74,000 to community projects and given 35 hours a week to volunteering at projects including the Abbey Centre, Construction Youth Trust, Women into Construction, and Social Bite. Bouygues UK has supported career sessions, work experience placements and educational support for residents and schools, and has taken on five apprentices from surrounding London boroughs.
Golding Homes’ Somerfield Terrace development in Maidstone has seen the arrival of its cutting-edge, factory built “fully modular” homes. The houses were manufactured in three parts by leading fully modular developer TopHat at their Derbyshire factory, fully fitted with kitchens and bathrooms, then transported to Maidstone, lifted into position by crane and bolted together to create new homes. The six four-bedroom houses will be available for shared ownership and market rent customers in 2024.Modern methods of construction – and fully modular in particular – are a more efficient and sustainable way of building homes, with lower carbon emissions to build and more energy efficient to run. The Somerfield Terrace site dates back to 1850 and was formerly a private and military hospital. The site includes four blocks of Grade II listed semi-detached villas which have been converted, with some of the original features being preserved. Once complete, the development will consist of 73 homes – including flats and houses – for market rent, shared ownership, social rent and discount market sale. Executive Director of Development at Golding Homes, Tom Casey, said: “Somerfield Terrace is an exciting development with both Grade II listed buildings and ultra-modern homes side by side, bringing a unique housing offer to the county town. “Using modern methods of construction is part of our commitment to providing homes that are both sustainable and affordable. This is the first time we’ve used modular homes at one of our developments in Maidstone, so seeing them arrive here on site is a significant milestone that we’re really proud of.”Jordan Rosenhaus, CEO and Founder of TopHat said: “We are delighted to see our beautifully designed, precision engineered new homes arrive on site in Maidstone. “There’s increasing awareness of the benefits of modern factory-built homes – from the lower carbon to build and run, through to quicker, quieter building sites – so it’s great to work with Golding Homes and to be bringing this to life in Maidstone.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
I wanted to share a new case study on behalf of RWC, who have recently supported the renovation of a high rise development in Chelsea. High-rise living forms a critical part of the solution to the growing demand for homes across the UK. To ensure the success of these buildings, specifiers and consultants must select systems that align with modern construction methods and meet the demands of residents today and in the future. Water management is a particular consideration here, ensuring every dwelling has a reliable, consistent and safe supply of water, as well as contributing to broader sustainability efforts by supporting responsible usage and greater water savings. The Chelsea Creek development, which utilises solutions from RWC’s Reliance Valves range, demonstrates how water management systems can successfully control and monitor water supply to large numbers of apartments, while also mitigating against leaks to protect occupants and buildings from costly water damage. Smart water technology for West London Canalside living Water is at the heart of the canalside Chelsea Creek development in London, but to ensure a safe and reliable supply of water to 147 individual apartments, an innovative water management system was required. To efficiently control and monitor water supply, as well as mitigate against leaks, solutions from Reliance Valves were selected. Located in the heart of Chelsea, Chelsea Creek is the exciting transformation of a 7.8 acre brownfield site into a new development based around waterside living. Featuring stunning landscapes of tree-lined avenues and meandering waterways, the neighbourhood perfectly combines tranquillity and metropolitan living and brings a sophisticated European aesthetic to West London. Comprising of 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments, the development would require intricate plumbing pipework – not just due to the nature of high-rise buildings, but also to achieve the high specification ambitions of the project. To strike this balance, building services contractor, Briggs & Forrester Living, needed an innovative water management system to control and monitor water supply, mitigate the risk of leaks and the costly effects of water damage. Specifying for success The Tenant Valve Plus and MultiSafe Leak Detector Control Valve by Reliance Valves were specified by Briggs & Forrester to help fulfil their client’s risk management plans and leak mitigation aims. Saving time and space by combining several functions into one compact unit, the Tenant Valve [EM1] [AJ2] includes a BS1010-approved stop valve, a pressure reducing valve and strainer, double check valve, dual-reading pressure gauge, and a connection point for an optional water meter. The combination valve effectively controls and monitors water supply to individual dwellings, while its single-piece design significantly reduces the number of leak points compared to a traditional chain of individual valves. It was also more cost-effective and easier to install and maintain, all of which were crucial to Briggs & Forrester’s building design. Reliance Valves’ MultiSafe Leak Detector Control Valve was also selected to provide an intelligent leak detection system that continuously measures the flow rate, pressure, temperature, and the hardness of water. In addition to automatically shutting off water in the event of a leak or an abnormal water pattern, the system sends an alert to the concierge as well as the occupants, via a free app. Mark Durham, Project Manager at Briggs & Forrester Living, said: “Reliance Valves’ MultiSafe leak detection system was selected following trials with several manufacturers on performance, connectivity, control versatility and end-user functions for leak protection and water usage. Our client’s risk management plan and their aim for innovative leak mitigation was of paramount importance for protecting the project during the fit-out phases and was a prerequisite to be “online” prior to the testing and filling stages. “The system’s wireless connectivity, web-based platform and mobile app is ideal for real-time app alerts and email notifications, which performs superbly, fully satisfying the requirement of directive for effective leak mitigation. The leak detection valve coupled with the multifunctional space-saving Tenant Valves assembly, were the ideal paring in our aim to reduce risk of possible leaks.” As the demand for housing continues to soar across the UK, high-rise developments are becoming increasingly common additions to city skylines. While the trend to build upwards maximises limited inner-city space and delivers appealing living spaces for residents, it does pose challenges to specifiers and contractors, including around water supply, control and sustainability. By specifying systems from Reliance Valves, Briggs & Forrester were able to install high-quality and cost-effective systems on the Chelsea Creek development. In practice, this means water supply can be controlled and monitored, maximising efficiency and strengthening sustainability efforts, as well as meeting their client’s requirements for risk management through an innovative leak detection solution. To find out more, visit www.reliancevalves.com/gb/en Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Situated seven degrees west of the Greenwich Meridian, and exposed to some of the harshest weather conditions anywhere in the British Isles, the Hebrides present a challenging location for building projects, prompting a recently-established building company to adopt offsite construction technologies which make full use of the technical and environmental benefits of West Fraser’s SterlingOSB Zero. 70-22′ Systems was established in 2022 by three business partners whose experience encapsulates architecture, education and manufacturing amongst other skills, and who decided to develop their own highly-insulated, modular timber building system. Growing organically by providing bespoke packages to clients of parent business, Fraser Architecture, 70-22′ has already delivered properties on the Outer Hebrides[FA1]; and has more than half a dozen schemes of different sizes in the pipeline for the coming year. The trademarked system has been designed specifically to avoid the need for craneage, due to the inaccessibility of many sites, while the cellular component modules take the form of wall blocks, lintels and beams to span larger openings. The SterlingOSB Zero is CNC machined and assembled in the workshop before being filled with Warmcel recycled paper insulation. Significantly, the 70-22′ Systems design personnel were determined from the outset to utilise the West Fraser board because of its formaldehyde free formulation and the fact the material is manufactured in the North of Scotland, using mainly locally sourced softwood from well managed forests. 70-22′ Systems’ co-founder and Commercial Director, Alex Durie, commented: “We use West Fraser’s SterlingOSB Zero to construct our ecological building components, that are prefabricated in our workshop utilising CNC technology to achieve 0.1mm tolerances for each beam and block. It is the ideal material to use as the shell for our components, which are then filled with recycled insulation to achieve a building system that can achieve market leading thermal performance, with a U-value of 0.1 W/m²k, and excellent air-tightness, while maintaining a breathable floor, wall and roof construction. The added bonus of being formaldehyde-free, OSB enables us to build ecologically, utilising timber grown and processed in Scotland as we aim to limit the travel miles in each of our builds. The OSB produced by West Fraser has performed very well in our structural testing, with our system proving to be 1.6 times stronger than a traditional timber frame – and as our system arrives on site as a component that is pre-fabricated, pre-insulated and designed for manual handling, it is much quicker to assemble.” Not only do all of the 70-22′ Systems structures exceed the thermal requirements of Section 6 to the Building Standards, Scotland, but can also be delivered as a Passivhaus compliant solution where the client or planning consent demand it. In the medium to long term, the business is building a pattern book of standard house types and has plans to establish a pilot plant on the mainland. The company will also be showcasing its system at the Self-Build and Renovation exhibition in Aviemore this autumn. SterlingOSB Zero is available in a range of sizes and thicknesses up to 22mm as well as a T&G version ideal for flooring and decking applications. The high performance panel product, free of added formaldehyde, has also earned BBA approval and meets the requirements of NHBC Technical. As is always the case, West Fraser’s experienced technical team is available to aid with product specification, while downloadable data sheets are available at https://uk.westfraser.com For further information, call 01786 812 921 or visit https://uk.westfraser.com/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The extent to which Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) is present in residential buildings and the risk levels presented is currently unclear, and we appreciate that media coverage, conflicting reports and misinformation may be leading to questions and concerns from clients and residents alike. RAAC is a form of lightweight concrete sometimes referred to as panels. It was used primarily in roof planks of some public buildings built between the mid-1950s and mid-1990s. The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) in conjunction with the Cabinet Office and other government departments have set up the RAAC Industry Response Group. The group met up for the first time yesterday in early September 2023 and over the coming weeks will investigating scale and risks and developing further guidance. We are pleased to report that The Property Institute and our sector is represented on the group by Mark Snelling, our health, safety and fire consultant. Whilst further investigation is carried out into the scale and risks, and guidance for the residential sector is developed, please be assured that The Property Institute is engaging with our technical colleagues and industry peers to help shape guidance specifically for managing agents, landlords and residents, which we will share with you as soon as any is available, particularly in relation to high-rise buildings and the Building Safety Act 2022. We are also in communication with the Building Safety Regulator at the HSE on this issue, so please look out for further updates. Please ensure that, if you are undertaking any investigate or survey work, you seek advice to ensure that such costs incurred are reasonable and proportionate. It would be useful if you could inform us whether you have completed any structural surveys in relation to an HRB and if so, whether the presence of RAAC was a consideration in the survey, and whether any RAAC was found. Please email jthorburn@tpi.org.uk with your findings. There has been extensive media coverage on this issue, particularly for schools and other public premises, and whilst technical guidance is being formed, we wanted to provide you with some existing and updated sources of information and guidance from relevant and authoritative bodies and organisations, which may be helpful. GUIDANCE FROM THE INSTITUTION OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS The Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE), who are leading on the technical aspect of the Industry Response Group’s response, have issued guidance about RAAC to enable building managers and their consultants to manage the situation, established a RAAC working study group, and created a list of professionally qualified structural engineers (Chartered or Incorporated Members) who have declared their experience in providing technical solutions for managing RAAC planks. In a statement issued on the 1st September 2023 IStructE have said: “If properly designed, manufactured, in good condition and with good bearing, RAAC installations are considered safe. However, the panels can creep and deflect over time, and this can be exacerbated by water penetration. A more recent incident indicated that if they have insufficient bearing and their structural integrity is compromised, they can fracture and collapse with little or no warning.” Collaborative Reporting for Safer Structures UK (CROSS-UK), a confidential reporting system which allows professionals working in the built environment to report on fire and structural safety issues, have recently issued a report about a RAAC assessment that was carried out by persons who did not appear to have appropriate experience, potentially putting building users at risk of harm. The Key Learning Outcomes in the report for building owners, managers, surveyors, and other persons responsible for the safety of buildings are: STRUCTURAL SAFETY GUIDANCE & REPORTS Below, we’ve collated the most informative resources and guidance on RAAC, from The Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE), The Department of Education (DfE) and Collaborative Reporting for Safer Structures (CROSS): Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Oxford City Council has acquired over 100 homes from housebuilder The Hill Group at Oxford North’s Canalside development, south of the A40. The new homes, part of the first 317 energy-efficient new homes that Hill is delivering at Canalside, will bring vital affordable housing to the Oxford market, which currently ranks among the most unaffordable places to live in the UK. Of the 111 homes, 89 will be made available for social rent and 22 on a shared ownership basis. Hill, which has a strong track record of delivering high-quality homes within the Oxford area, secured detailed planning permission at Canalside in September 2022 and commenced work on the new homes in January 2023, with the first homes due to complete in the spring of 2024. The council’s housing company OX Place are acting as development managers for the acquisition. Andy Hill OBE, Group Chief Executive Officer of The Hill Group, commented: “Canalside at Oxford North represents a landmark residential development for the City, and we are delighted to agree on the delivery of the project’s affordable housing to Oxford City Council. This agreement ensures local people will have access to sustainable, well-designed homes on an affordable basis, built to the high standards for which The Hill Group is renowned.” Homes at Canalside have a strong emphasis on sustainability, going above and beyond Oxford City Council’s progressive environmental targets thanks to a range of low-carbon features. These include air-source heat pumps, photovoltaic panels, and living green roofs. The development also boasts water consumption reduction measures, electric car charging points, and ample cycle storage. As part of the wider Oxford North development, Canalside will help deliver a minimum 5% biodiversity net gain, ensuring residents and nature can thrive in harmony. Homes are designed around a large landscaped communal park with play areas, meadow grassland, and an activity lawn. Extensive tree planting of over 200 species is planned across the site, including the introduction of a new orchard. Additionally, an intricate network of pedestrian and cycle paths will be integrated into the development, promoting active lifestyles and sustainable modes of transportation. The construction phase brings with it local economic benefits through the recently published Oxford North Phase 1 Community Employment Plan (CEP) to maximise the opportunities created for local people and businesses during the next 18 months of construction. The CEP covers local labour, supply chain, and procurement, as well as engagement with educational institutions, youth and apprenticeships, and disadvantaged communities. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A pioneering cleantech company is set to unveil its prototype flatpack home built using sustainable and advanced materials after undergoing testing at a ground-breaking research facility in Greater Manchester. Vector Homes is working with Energy House 2.0, part of the University of Salford, to develop its new rapid-build housing system. The prototype is a low-carbon, one-bedroom bungalow measuring 40sq metres which has been constructed using recycled materials, including steel and plastics, as well as advanced materials such as graphene. Vector is designing affordable, energy efficient homes with features including low-embodied carbon materials, infra-red heating, solar cells, breathable mould-resistant plaster and render, as well as embedded technology to provide smart environmental controls that efficiently measure and control the temperature, humidity and air quality in each room. Its homes are designed for rapid production and assembly. Vector is looking to mass manufacture homes in a range of shapes and sizes which are sold as flatpacks to be built by a small team of people. By incorporating graphene into the structures, the panels used in the construction of a Vector home have improved tensile strength, a greatly-reduced flame spread and increased UV resistance. Vector has worked with the University of Manchester’s Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre to develop ways of incorporating the material into its housing systems. Vector is using the unique features of Energy House 2.0 to test the prototype’s thermal properties and its efficiency in different climates. Energy House 2.0 can recreate temperatures from -20C to 40C, representing 95 per cent the inhabited earth, as well as recreating snow, wind, rain and solar energy to put the Vector home through its paces. Launched earlier this year, the £16m Energy House 2.0, at the heart of the University of Salford’s Peel Park Campus, is globally unique and is helping to drive innovation in the housing sector already, through work with housebuilders Barratt and Bellway, and manufacturer Saint-Gobain. Vector, which is led by chief executive Nathan Feddy and chief technical officer Dr Liam Britnell, has so far received backing from SFC Capital, GC Angels, the Greater Manchester Investment Fund which is the investment arm of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Innovate UK, the European Regional Development Fund and social housing investment firm HSPG. Liam said: “Our mission is to cut carbon and costs in construction and our homes are designed to have 80 per cent fewer carbon emissions in the building process compared to a standard brick house. “They are also designed to be dismantled rather than demolished at the end of life, with the components finding a second or even third life elsewhere. From the microstructure to the superstructure of a Vector home, everything links back to efficiency and sustainability. Our homes will be super standardised to ensure the rapid production of components and assembly. “The opportunity to work with Energy House 2.0 has been a dream come true. It’s a one-of-a-kind facility which enables testing for new types of construction methods. “The Energy House 2.0 team have been incredible to work with, and in a few months’ time our housing system will have more empirical data than any other in the world. This will enable us to continue our iteration cycles to take Vector to the next level.” The Vector Homes prototype will be officially unveiled at an open day and housewarming event on Thursday, September 21, which is being hosted in conjunction with specialist finance firm Together, for housing associations, local authorities, private developers, housebuilders and investors. As well as showcasing the Vector Homes prototype, other digital technologies such as AI-assisted site planning, smart home and digital tools and other new materials will be exhibited. Also exhibiting will be F&T Terrix, Ambion Heating and HAHN Plastics, which have provided mould-resistant plaster and render, infra-red heating and outdoor furniture made from recycled plastic respectively for the prototype. Prof Will Swan, director of Energy House Labs, said: “This type of project is exactly what our unique Energy House 2.0 facility was built for. Vector Homes is an ambitious, innovative north west company and if we can help them to develop a new product which can provide cheap, safe and, most importantly, warm housing, then there will be huge benefits.” Elliot Vure, director of corporate sales at Together, said: “We’ve been incredibly impressed with Vector’s vision to provide quality, sustainable and affordable housing, made from innovative materials. “The prototype building that Vector has produced is a fantastic example of researchers and the private sector working in partnership, and we believe that Vector’s low-carbon, rapid-build homes can go some way to providing a solution to some of the UK’s future housing challenges.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
