Leading offsite manufacturer McAvoy has recently delivered a new temporary classroom facility at The Bromfords Secondary School in Wickford, which was awarded through the Offsite Construction Solutions framework. It marks the latest in a series of projects aimed at addressing emergency school closures due to the prevalence of Reinforced Autoclaved
More than 100 keen golfers across 25 teams descended on Worsley Park for the Algeco Manchester Golf Day – raising a magnificent £55,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charities UK in the process. Ronald McDonald House Charities UK was established in 1989 and there are now 14 facilities close to specialist
Stelling Properties has reached a major construction milestone to restore a historic site in the centre of Southampton. The installation phase for all 121 studio apartments, which were manufactured and fully fitted out offsite, has now been completed on-site. 31 High Street is a landmark project which is bringing a
David Connacher, Marketing Manager at West Fraser, discusses the products on offer to the MMC market. What is MMC and does it account for a significant proportion of building activity? The phrase ‘Modern Methods of Construction’ has been with us for three decades now, though you could trace the building
The UK construction industry is set to experience a shift in thinking with the September launch of Offsite Construction Week (OCW) – an unprecedented collaboration amongst leading industry pioneers and associations. Organisers of the influential Offsite Expo and Offsite Awards have partnered with industry leaders with the specific goal of
Building Better, the National Housing Federation-supported group of housing associations and councils working to increase the use of modern methods of construction (MMC), has added a new manufacturer to its MMC Category 1 framework. Building Better and Procurement for Housing (PfH) have signed up ZED PODS to their volumetric framework,
New school for Cornwall to be delivered using Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) Reds10, the vertically integrated off-site construction specialist, has been given the go-ahead by Cornwall Council for Sky Primary and Eden Project Nursery in West Carclaze, Cornwall. The new school and nursery has been designed to be net-zero
Algeco UK OSS has shared behind-the-scenes images of its latest 75-bedroom Single Living Accommodation (SLA) complex at the Ministry of Defence (MOD) Stafford. The company has delivered a full turnkey solution, acting as Principal Contractor to the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and the British Army. Modern Methods of Construction (MMC)
New Rush Hall School in Ilford is adding an additional space with its third modular building supplied by GCS Cabins. The building, which will provide a gym and music suite, will be installed in May to elevate learning and lead the way in addressing SEMH student needs. New Rush Hall School provides
Algeco UK, a subsidiary of Modulaire Group, Europe and Asia-Pacific’s leading business services company specialising in modular services and infrastructure, has today published its latest global sustainability report for 2023. It shows that the company is on track to achieve its 2025 goals, with a significant 30.7% reduction of Scope 1 and 2 market-based emissions since 2020. In the 2023 ESGS report, “Modular Solutions for
BDC 322 : Nov 2024
Leading offsite manufacturer McAvoy has recently delivered a new temporary classroom facility at The Bromfords Secondary School in Wickford, which was awarded through the Offsite Construction Solutions framework. It marks the latest in a series of projects aimed at addressing emergency school closures due to the prevalence of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC). Using advanced offsite manufacturing capabilities and featuring its innovative temporary SmartClass® solution, McAvoy delivered a comprehensive solution to meet the school’s urgent need for classroom space. Within eight weeks, the temporary classroom facility was installed and handed over, offering a sustainable, adaptable, and safe environment for students and staff. McAvoy manufactured 42 SmartClass® modules at its 70,000 sq ft, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, with a significant proportion of the work being completed offsite. All 42 modules were installed over the course of five days. The two-storey facility, comprising six classrooms, two offices, shower and changing rooms and WCs on the ground floor, along with an additional eight classrooms and three offices on the second floor, was designed to meet the educational needs of the students and staff. Navigating the challenges posed by the school’s location within a residential area with narrow streets, McAvoy implemented a robust traffic control system to facilitate the swift and disruption-free installation of the modules. As the site was within the grounds of the existing school, McAvoy created a separate site entrance to further minimise disruption. Given the urgency from the closure of classrooms due to RAAC, McAvoy’s expedited manufacturing and installation process paved the way for the quick execution of the project. In addition to The Bromfords School project, McAvoy has recently delivered similar temporary SmartClass® solutions at educational settings across the UK, including Kingsdown School in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, Parks Primary School in Leicester, and Hockley Primary School in Essex. These projects, commissioned by the Department for Education, were instrumental in providing interim accommodation for staff and students during emergency closures due to RAAC. Glen Busby, Director of Modular Rental & Sales at McAvoy, commented, “Delivering swift and reliable temporary space solutions for schools facing emergency closures is key to ensuring the continuity of education and the safety of students and staff. Our commitment to using advanced offsite manufacturing techniques, exemplified by projects like The Bromfords School, allows us to respond quickly to challenges like these. We are proud to support educational institutions across the UK with adaptable temporary and permanent modular solutions that meet their evolving needs.” Chris King, Trust Business Manager at The Bromfords School, said: “We were impressed with McAvoy’s whole site management and excellent communication to keep us updated throughout. The use of modular construction benefited this project due to the speed of completion, and we were also able to continue with our teaching and learning while the project was underway. Any challenges were quickly resolved, and the team planned well around our normal school day to limit disruption. This included arranging deliveries around quieter periods, to reflect that the use of the main entrance needed to be used by both construction workers and our students. The overall impression of the temporary classroom facility is that it will benefit our students with its large, spacious and bright areas.” For more information on McAvoy Group, please visit: www.mcavoygroup.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
More than 100 keen golfers across 25 teams descended on Worsley Park for the Algeco Manchester Golf Day – raising a magnificent £55,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charities UK in the process. Ronald McDonald House Charities UK was established in 1989 and there are now 14 facilities close to specialist NHS children’s hospitals around the country. They are designed to be a ‘home away from home’ for the families of children staying at hospital, providing free accommodation and emotional support at what is often the toughest time for a family. Incredibly this week’s event raised enough for the equivalent of 1,571 nights of accommodation for families with children in hospital. Last year alone, the charity supported 8,415 families, who stayed for an average of 16 nights and were on average 68 miles away from their home. Algeco UK is a leading modular buildings, temporary accommodation and storage container provider, delivering construction expertise to diverse sectors including schools, hospitals, office locations and many more. The company is a longstanding partner of McDonald’s, who are the charity’s founding and forever partner. Since 1989, McDonald’s and its franchisees have raised more than £100 million for the charity, which goes towards the running and building of Ronald McDonald Houses across the UK. Algeco UK has provided McDonald’s with offsite build solutions since 2010 and has constructed more than 220 new stores using its modular retail construction process. This includes McDonald’s Market Drayton, which was notably the UK’s first carbon net zero restaurant (using the UKGBC’s net zero carbon buildings framework) and the two-storey Drive-Thru restaurant in North Acton, London, also the first of its kind in the UK. As a key partner to McDonald’s, Algeco UK has grown to be a long-standing supporter of its house charity. Earlier this year, the marketing team from Algeco UK attended Ronald McDonald House Birmingham, donating their time to help keep the 65 bedrooms, communal kitchens and living room spaces clean for people with children in hospital. Now, the company has stepped up as head sponsor of the annual Manchester Golf fundraising event, having supported this for many years already. Other key names that joined as an event sponsor include Coca-Cola, Scania, True Refrigeration, EnviraClad, Trent Construction Services, BW Industries and RJ Coleman Electrical. Paul Beard, Senior Design Manager at Algeco, explained: “The work Ronald McDonald House Charities UK does is fantastic. Many of us have children and we know that if a child goes into hospital, it is important to have family close by. To Algeco it’s close to our hearts and we are delighted to support it in this way.” At the event Algeco entered eight teams in total – four featuring Algeco OSS staff, a further team with staff from Algeco Hire, and three more teams on behalf of partners and suppliers. Other entrants consisted of key McDonalds partner’s, suppliers and sub-contractors. Tony Morton, Director of Income Generation at Ronald McDonald House Charities UK, said: “Our huge thanks go to all at Algeco UK, for their support of an amazing day of golf and fundraising. Their significant contribution is greatly appreciated and the money raised will make such a difference to families going through the most difficult times imaginable.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Stelling Properties has reached a major construction milestone to restore a historic site in the centre of Southampton. The installation phase for all 121 studio apartments, which were manufactured and fully fitted out offsite, has now been completed on-site. 31 High Street is a landmark project which is bringing a fire-damaged building back to life after it remained derelict for more than a decade. The Portland stone façade of the former Bank of England building has been restored and other parts of the original building have been retained including the historic bank vaults in the basement. The development represents a £12m investment by Stelling to regenerate this prominent site on Southampton High Street whilst helping to meet the critical undersupply of student accommodation in the city. The five-storey scheme will provide 121 high-specification, self-contained studio apartments which will be operated by Unilife and are due for completion later this year. Steel-framed, 8m long modules, each weighing up to 12 tonnes, contained a single apartment and arrived on site finished, with kitchenettes, shower rooms, fitted and loose furniture, flooring, doors, and glazing already in place. These were lifted into position over a six-week installation phase and using a 230-tonne crane. Dan Smith, COO of Stelling Properties, said: “This high-profile project follows another modular student scheme that we have already delivered on Southampton High Street, and we are about to start a third. These developments are an important part of the regeneration of the city centre. “31 High Street has been a hugely challenging and constrained site to develop. It demonstrates the enormous potential of offsite construction and our technical capabilities very well. The site is completely enclosed on three sides, which would have been extremely difficult for in-situ construction as there is no storage space for plant, materials or equipment.” “This is a locally listed building in a Conservation Area but with a fantastic modular design developed by our inhouse team and the retained Portland stone façade, it will blend sympathetically into the locality. “Speed of construction was absolutely critical to reduce disruption in the city centre. By manufacturing and fully fitting out the apartments offsite, we reduced time on site by around 50 per cent. The tremendous progress so far is a real credit to our design, production and site teams.” To complement the local architecture and reflect the heritage aesthetic of the retained façade, the studio apartments will be finished in light stone-coloured external cladding. The final phase of construction will include mechanical and electrical connections on site, fitting out the extensive social and amenity spaces for residents in the original retained part of the building, roofing works, solar panel installations and landscaping of a large roof terrace. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
David Connacher, Marketing Manager at West Fraser, discusses the products on offer to the MMC market. What is MMC and does it account for a significant proportion of building activity? The phrase ‘Modern Methods of Construction’ has been with us for three decades now, though you could trace the building methodology back to the early examples of prefabrication; products such as timber roof trusses and precast concrete panels were constructed offsite. Today’s MMC really started to gain traction in the ‘90’s, mainly through the increased number of timber frame systems, many of them from Europe or Scandinavia, being used for housebuilding. Greater emphasis on improving energy performance, as well as reducing waste in the building industry, is pushing more developers towards using MMC or ‘Offsite’ building techniques and the Scottish Government is in the process of making it mandatory for all new homes. What categories of MMC do West Fraser products get used for? While there are still some companies supplying basic ‘Open’ timber frame systems, ever more are moving to offering ‘Closed Cell’ alternatives which feature a sheathing board and factory-fitted insulation in the cavity which saves time on site for the builder. Then there are more advanced components including flooring cassettes and roof cassettes, or complete room-in-the-roof modules, which can be craned onto both new-build and existing wall structures. These could use high performance panel products for the floors, fixed to rafters as sarking boards, or to clad the cheeks of dormer windows. In addition, SIPs or Structural Insulated Panel systems, with their own association, are increasingly popular due to their high standards of airtightness as well as thermal insulation. SIPs normally feature a substantial thickness of expanded foam insulation between two layers of a timber-based board product. Why do offsite manufacturers choose West Fraser board products over those of rival suppliers? There is a couple of basic commercial considerations as to why manufacturers choose to buy their panel products from West Fraser, including price and availability; yet, for many regular customers it comes down to a combination of technical factors. Amongst these, quality and dimensional accuracy crop up most often in comments from leading manufacturers, both because they have built their businesses on ensuring clients have no concerns about the speed of installation and alignment on sites, and also because they are using highly automated production lines where irregular sizes or structural weakness can cause costly problems. Basically, West Fraser boards are produced under similarly stringent processes in a modern plant; complying to very high tolerances and can be relied on to cut cleanly when computer-controlled saws, routers or even laser cutters are being operated. Also, once in use, the different boards will offer the required racking strength (sheathing boards), spanning capacity (flooring), impact strength or all-round durability. Which West Fraser boards feature in MMC systems? Several of the company’s tried-and-tested panel products have become firm favourites with manufacturers across the offsite industry, utilised for a wide variety of MMC systems including closed panel production, SIPs and modular solutions. They include SterlingOSB Zero which is bought by a number of SIPs companies who commend it for the dimensional accuracy as it would stick out like the proverbial sore thumb if the opposite faces of the insulated sandwich panel didn’t match up. CaberFloor P5 and CaberDek also feature fully amongst companies specialising in floor cassettes and larger modules, used as a surface which can be left exposed or covered with carpet and other flooring finishes. Are there any other special applications which count as MMC? Thanks to social media as well as its extensive distributor network, West Fraser is becoming aware of new and often increasingly sophisticated applications for its products every week. Recent examples amongst these include the WikiHouse system which has been developed by Open Systems Lab in consultation with Imperial College – and which makes use of SterlingOSB Zero to fabricate a series of hollow beams, wall blocks and other components. These have been designed so that they can be made in relatively small workshops for the construction of low-rise housing. And, interestingly, it was the material’s shear strength which persuaded the company to switch from the imported plywood material originally trialled. Then for companies who specialise in supplying fully fitted modular homes, rather like some mobile homes, CaberMDF is widely preferred for manufacturing fitted furniture as well as deeply routed items like the doors for kitchen cabinets. Basically, if you live in a modern home, there is a strong chance you are surrounded by West Fraser board products. For further information, call 01786 812 921 or visit https://uk.westfraser.com/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The UK construction industry is set to experience a shift in thinking with the September launch of Offsite Construction Week (OCW) – an unprecedented collaboration amongst leading industry pioneers and associations. Organisers of the influential Offsite Expo and Offsite Awards have partnered with industry leaders with the specific goal of inspiring strategic collaboration across the offsite construction sector. A UK first, Offsite Construction Week will bring together clients, manufacturers, developers, architects, specifiers, project managers, legislative and accrediting bodies for a week-long series of events, debates, and discussions on how to accelerate sector growth by removing current barriers to MMC implementation. Uniting industry leaders from different construction and material sectors, the newly-formed Advisory Group will create a set of objectives for successfully expanding the application of offsite construction methods and technologies, ensuring that every stakeholder’s perspective is reflected in the resulting strategy. The Advisory Group comprises 20 of the most well-informed and respected industry figures at the forefront of offsite innovation from pioneering companies and industry bodies. For full details of the Advisory Group, go to: www.offsiteconstructionweek.co.uk/advisory-group Together, these industry leaders will curate the Offsite Expo Masterclasses, roundtable debates and events that take place throughout the five days of Offsite Construction Week. Through a series of practical seminars that share insider knowledge of projects success factors and learnings – speakers will offer solutions to legislative, procurement, procedural, and financial roadblocks to accelerating the pace of implementing offsite methods and products in construction. Key topics to be addressed will include but are not limited to, creating industrialised construction ecosystems, enhancing building safety, increasing productivity, closing the performance gap, driving innovation, digital delivery for tomorrow, creating a zero-snag culture and delivering against net zero carbon targets. On behalf of the Advisory Group, spokesperson Tudi Sully said, “We will act as industry ambassadors for delivering a better built environment, chairing roundtable debates and connecting decision makers from various client organisations, industry bodies, government stakeholders and the supply chain. “By engaging in an open, unbiased and critical debate of current roadblocks to the implementation of approaches such as DfMA, offsite, MMC and industrialisation; showcasing past project challenges and successes; and offering insights from different vertical sectors, the Advisory Group will demonstrate a roadmap for the wider adoption of these innovative solutions. “With the ambitious goal to help accelerate the UK government’s agenda for a safer, more sustainable and faster-growing built environment, the Advisory Group will not only connect top decision makers but will also oversee an educational outreach to young professionals, apprentices and students in construction programmes – all of which will start at Offsite Construction Week.” The Advisory Group’s involvement during Offsite Construction Week will include curating the programme and leading the Masterclass seminars, sharing insights from the organisations they represent and presenting a highly focused, factual overview of the sector and the challenges it faces. Whilst the discussions in the Masterclass Theatre will equip attendees with a well-balanced view of the industry’s roadmap for the future, the Advisory Group will set the tone for a series of live webinars on some of the most pressing issues in the industry. About Offsite Construction Week Taking place from 16-20 September 2024, Offsite Construction Week will showcase the most comprehensive series of offsite technology events ever seen in the UK. The aim of the curated selection of seminars, industry awards ceremony, site tours and features exhibition, is to highlight the benefits and advancements in offsite construction, driving innovation and collaboration across the sector. Unilateral Support Offsite Construction Week is supported by a robust lineup of industry associations, including BUILDOFFSITE (BOS), Building Engineering Services Association (BESA), Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT,) Light Steel Frame Association (LSFA), MMC Ireland, Modular and Portable Building Association (MPBA), Offsite Alliance, Steel Construction Institute (SCI), Structural Timber Association (STA) and others have come together to support the most comprehensive series of offsite events the country has ever seen. To keep informed go to: www.offsiteconstructionweek.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Building Better, the National Housing Federation-supported group of housing associations and councils working to increase the use of modern methods of construction (MMC), has added a new manufacturer to its MMC Category 1 framework. Building Better and Procurement for Housing (PfH) have signed up ZED PODS to their volumetric framework, which is worth up to £400m over four years. Social housing organisations can procure pre-manufactured 3D construction systems for both houses and apartments from ZED PODS through the deal. ZEDPODS have been appointed to the framework on a direct award basis so housing associations and local authorities won’t need to go through any additional tender process to procure from them. Streamlining MMC contracting in this way saves around £15,000 in procurement costs for each housing organisation. The framework also enables very early engagement with ZED PODS, in a compliant way. When social housing organisations meet with manufacturers right at the start of a project and tap into their design experience to create plans that are right for all parties, this commonly leads to more successful schemes. Founded in 2016, ZED PODS design and build zero-operational-carbon social housing and specialise in delivering turnkey housing solutions using volumetric MMC. ZED PODS’ build system can be used on traditional sites and also constrained brownfield locations such as derelict garage sites, carparks, and flood zones. ZED PODS have delivered award-winning housing schemes for both local authorities and housing associations. They are presently working with 28 public sector organisations to plan and design MMC schemes, and they are currently onsite building zero-operational-carbon social homes in Sheffield, Ashford, Bristol, and across Wales and Devon. All MMC homes procured under the Building Better framework take a fabric-first approach (prioritising insulation ahead of add-ons like solar panels), they meet nationally described space standards (NDSS) and have the option to be wheelchair accessible. They are certified by the Buildoffsite Property Assurance Scheme (BOPAS) and assessed and accepted by building warranty provider ICW Insurance Services. Tony Woods, Technical Manager for Construction & Sustainability at Procurement for Housing (PfH) said: “The quality of ZED PODS’ homes really set them apart in the tender process, as well as their management team and financial position. They manufacture high performance, low carbon houses and flats that exceed the proposed Future Home Standards and the Welsh Development Quality Requirements 2021. But it was also the way they involve residents that impressed us. ZED PODS take a proactive approach to engaging early with local communities ahead of construction on site. Tom Northway, Chairman of ZED PODS, said: “We are delighted to have been selected for the Building Better framework and look forward to working with the team and its members to deliver our net zero carbon housing solutions.” In addition to the MMC Category 1 framework, Building Better and PfH also run a dynamic purchasing system (DPS) for MMC Category 2 construction systems. Through this DPS, social housing organisations can procure 2D panelised systems, assembled on-site, from over 20 pre-approved manufacturers. For further information about Building Better’s MMC Category 1 framework visit: https://buildingbetter.org.uk/procurement-route/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
New school for Cornwall to be delivered using Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) Reds10, the vertically integrated off-site construction specialist, has been given the go-ahead by Cornwall Council for Sky Primary and Eden Project Nursery in West Carclaze, Cornwall. The new school and nursery has been designed to be net-zero in operation and will be delivered using Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). The 1,750m2 Sky Primary and Eden Project Nursery will accommodate 210 pupils in the school and 26 places in the nursery on the site of the wider residential development at West Carclaze Garden Village. With Reds10 acting as principal contractor and architecture and interior design undertaken by Sense of Space Architects, design proposals have been developed in close association with the Department for Education (DfE) and the Kernow Learning Trust, which provides education, training and support to schools in Cornwall. Utilising Reds10’s wholly-owned MMC factory facility in East Yorkshire, 87% of the new two-storey school building will be manufactured in Driffield before being transported to West Carclaze to be assembled on site, maximising productivity, quality and control and minimising disruption. Sustainable features are embedded throughout, with air source heat pumps providing heating to the building and PV panels and windcatchers on the roof, in line with the energy strategy for the school. Sky Primary and Eden Project Nursery is designed to be net-zero in operation and complies to the Department for Education (DfE)’s net-zero in operation guidance, Spec21. Sense of Space has worked with Reds10 to produce a design which will integrate with the wider West Carclaze Garden Village development using a combination of local and contemporary materials. The new school will be clad in local stone at the lower level with hard-wearing fibre cement panels and metal cladding above, and complimented by soft planting across the site, with areas of short and long grasses, native tree planting and a dedicated habitat area for study. Informal hard playground space will facilitate the link between the key outdoor play areas and the internal classroom layout. A fenced Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) and grass playing field are enclosed by a soft landscape buffer around the perimeter of the site with tree planting to provide shade, shelter, and interest throughout the year. The new school will be located at the heart of the Carclaze Garden village centre with direct access from the adjoining neighbourhood facilities, supporting sustainable transport via a network of footpaths and cycleways. Groundworks for Sky Primary and Eden Project Nursery begin on site in Spring 2024, with first modules arriving on site in Autumn 2024. Clare Crowle, CEO of Kernow Learning, said “We are incredibly proud of Sky and its first cohorts based at Eden. We are feeling excited at the progress towards finally arriving at our permanent site – building the future for Sky before our very eyes.” Joe Shepherd, Director & Education Sector Lead for Reds10, said “Delivering sustainable, high-quality and cost-effective new schools is an ongoing challenge for the education sector but the broadly similar requirements of school buildings in the UK make them particularly amenable to the standardisation that MMC delivers. Sky Primary and Eden Project Nursery is a fantastic opportunity to illustrate the benefits of MMC and we are very pleased to get the go-ahead from Cornwall Council and the DfE.” Richard Addenbrook, Managing Director at Sense of Space, said: “We are looking forward to seeing this highly sustainable project take shape, initially in Reds10’s factory and subsequently on site in this beautiful location.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Algeco UK OSS has shared behind-the-scenes images of its latest 75-bedroom Single Living Accommodation (SLA) complex at the Ministry of Defence (MOD) Stafford. The company has delivered a full turnkey solution, acting as Principal Contractor to the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and the British Army. Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) refers to offsite and onsite techniques, which could include mass production and factory assembly as alternatives to traditional building methods. These are a fast way of delivering new buildings focused on the efficiency of materials and human resources. Modular buildings devised utilising MMC have the potential to deliver significant improvements in productivity and quality for both the construction industry and the end user. They also minimise the work required on-site, which can have added benefits and appeal for those in sectors such as Defence. The solution provided to MOD Stafford is a CTM Leve1 (Category 1) Pre-Manufacturing 3D primary structural system that will be used to house members of the army. The three-storey building, known as Beacon Barracks, is set to offer high-quality accommodation with integral communal areas, as well as a brick slip façade and sustainable features including solar PV and heat pumps. The modules for the barracks were manufactured in Carnaby in East Yorkshire and delivered to the site with a Pre-Manufactured Value (PMV) of around 80%. MOD Stafford was designed by AHR Architects, supporting the Algeco UK OSS team on the construction stage and architectural design through its Leeds offices. A full site inspection has now been carried out with strong feedback received by attendees and participants, particularly regarding the overall quality and feel compared to comparative schemes. Volumetric Air tests are carried out on all completed projects and the SLA Block at MOD Stafford has achieved a rating of 1.18. Lee Kenton of Build Energy commented that 1.18 is “exemplary for the size of the building” and “far exceeded” the Passivhaus gold standard of 0.60, with an air change rate of 0.48. The new barracks at MOD Stafford is part of an £800M investment into SLA by the Army over the next decade. This investment into modern infrastructure is set to provide military personnel with the fit-for-purpose accommodation facilities they deserve, as well as contribute to ambitions to become Carbon Net Zero by 2050. Brigadier Pete Quaite, Head of Army Infrastructure Plans, said, “I visited the Single Living Accommodation under construction at Beacon Barracks at the start of this year. To see the finished block just two months later shows the impressive pace of progress being achieved through our modular design and build programme. This new SLA is another excellent example of how ongoing Army investment is improving the quality of life for our people, providing them with modern, spacious and well-designed accommodation.” Wayne Yeomans, Algeco UK OSS Sales and Marketing Director said, “This is modular and offsite construction at its best. I must applaud the Algeco UK team as well as our supply chain partners, including AHR Architects, for making this possible. Working with architects means we have incorporated innovative features into the design, such as solar PV orientation to maximise the amount of electricity produced and optimising the number of overall modules required. “We were selected as the modular building partner by the MOD because of our track record in supplying high quality accommodation on a diverse range of other publicly funded projects, along with our willingness to collaborate with project partners and deliver excellent value for money. “The quality of these solutions is proven by results, like the industry-leading scores achieved in our recent volumetric air test, which is not an easy achievement. We have learnt so much from this project and we are proud this will also help inform the Defence Infrastructure Organisation’s future Programmatic Design approach.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
New Rush Hall School in Ilford is adding an additional space with its third modular building supplied by GCS Cabins. The building, which will provide a gym and music suite, will be installed in May to elevate learning and lead the way in addressing SEMH student needs. New Rush Hall School provides specialised support for pupils aged 5 to 16 who have social, emotional, or mental health (SEMH) difficulties. Staff take pride in providing a personalised, inclusive, and inspiring education to all 80 pupils. A quality learning environment plays a significant part in student education. Mr Walters, Executive Headteacher said: “We have used GCS Cabins for two modular buildings and are in the process of commissioning a third. We needed additional space to provide therapy rooms and break-out spaces for our pupils in order to enhance their wellbeing. The spaces created by GCS Cabins have enabled us to do that.” New Rush Hall School has been choosing modular classrooms from GCS Cabins for the past four years. The first building was a simple, open-plan, communal break area. The second building included a number of bespoke customisations, which allowed for the creation of a library, five individual 1-1 learning spaces and finally accessible toilets. The third building, which is currently being constructed off-site, will be 108m2 and house a gym and music suite. The gym will have various machines, a boxing ring, punch bags that are removable from ceiling hooks, a toilet and two showers. The recording studio with a microphone area will be fully soundproofed. Mr Walters added: “The third modular building, which is currently in progress, will provide us with a Creative and Fitness Hub, which will incorporate a gym, boxing facilities and a recording studio. This latest hub will provide additional opportunities for our pupils to access facilities that they would not normally have. These spaces will encourage creativity, develop talents, and have a positive impact on our pupils’ fitness and mental health, which will be of huge benefit.” The addition of a modular gym and music suite is designed to encourage more students to participate in extracurricular activities. A study by Public Health England found that participation in extracurricular activities has a positive effect on student attainment. Physical activity has also been linked to improved classroom behaviour across the whole school. Modular classrooms are a great option for schools as they are completely customisable and adaptable. Each school building can be refurbished to provide a dynamic, inclusive space that meets the specific needs of your students and teachers. Mr Walter continued: “GCS Cabins have been involved with the design and production from the start of this Hub and the previous hubs. Their expertise and knowledge has been of great value and has helped us to design spaces that are fit for purpose. They have been flexible and supportive and enabled us to fulfill our vision. Their communication is excellent, and they have gone above and beyond in terms of trying to meet our needs whilst remaining hugely competitive and cost-effective.” All projects are full turnkey packages, including all groundworks and connection of services. New Rush Hall School’s latest building will be completed in May with a turnaround of only 12 weeks from the point of order to completion. GCS Cabins is experienced in creating inspiring learning spaces that help schools support their students’ achievements Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Algeco UK, a subsidiary of Modulaire Group, Europe and Asia-Pacific’s leading business services company specialising in modular services and infrastructure, has today published its latest global sustainability report for 2023. It shows that the company is on track to achieve its 2025 goals, with a significant 30.7% reduction of Scope 1 and 2 market-based emissions since 2020. In the 2023 ESGS report, “Modular Solutions for a circular economy”, the Group outlines the ways in which it is taking action on climate change. The report shares Modulaire Group’s ESGS purpose, strategy, commitments and progress against targets. Inder Poonaji (Group ESG & Sustainability Director) said, “Our sustainable circular business model – Loops within Loops – continues to deliver great results for our business and our customers. We are using innovative design solutions to produce modular units that can stay in service longer, going round and round again. It uses less materials and produces less waste. Today, our Group is producing over 30% less carbon emissions, using 55% less water and sending 75% less waste to landfill, all since 2020. We’re proud of our performance and our products.” Keith Dorling, Managing Director of Algeco UK, emphasised, “Our UK operations have taken significant steps to decrease carbon emissions in line with our group’s reduction targets. These actions encompass various aspects of our operations, including the electrification of forklifts and company cars, installation of on-site solar PVs, procurement of renewable electricity, development of low-emission service centres with implementation of energy efficiency measures, while also offering low-emission product options to support our customers’ emission reduction objectives. We also prioritise internal awareness training and sustainability campaigns. Our commitment to enhancing operations and providing emission-reducing solutions for our customers reflects our dedication. I’m proud of the collaborative effort and initiatives undertaken at all levels of our organisation to achieve these positive outcomes. Algeco UK’s key ESGS performance highlights achieved in 2023: Download the Modulaire Group 2023 ESGS report: Modular Solutions for a circular economy. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
