With the current financial climate pulling sharply at purse strings, making your budget go further for a cost-effective project is more attractive than ever before. In this article, Simon Castle, Managing Director at fit-out specialists, Chisholm & Winch, will discuss ways in which main contractors can meet budget requirements without
Staffordshire-based housing association, Aspire Housing, has appointed independent construction, property and management consultant Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB) to provide fire consultancy services for its development schemes covering new build and refurbishment projects. Aspire Housing owns and manages more than 9,000 homes across Staffordshire and Cheshire. RLB has been appointed on
ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions Door Group has launched the new Powershield Rathlin door, which is LPS 2081 certified and prevents unauthorised access by various physical security products when targeted by intruders using stealth. The Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB) is a globally recognised third-party certification body that sets the standards
CONSTRUCTION of a building that will accelerate modern construction skills in Sunderland is set to move forward, after the appointment of a North East contractor. Tolent has been awarded the contract to design and construct the Housing Innovation and Construction Skills Academy (HICSA), a world-class training facility that will provide
Research by Warwick Estates reveals that the UK’s property management services industry is on track to have a market value of more than £30 billion by 2025 as a pandemic slump makes way for consecutive years of steady growth. The property management services industry covers all businesses that provide third-party
Landlords have a lot on their plates. Between finding and screening tenants, collecting rent, maintaining the property, and dealing with emergencies, it can feel like there’s not enough time in the day. Thankfully, some tasks can be handled by the landlord themselves without having to call in a professional. In
Health and safety cover many essential components. The fact is that there’s a variety of hazards in any modern workplace, but in a construction setting, these hazards are multiplied infinitely. Electrical equipment, from machinery to computers can all be hazardous if they are not properly used. What does it take
A new survey by UK Construction Week Birmingham has revealed that those who work in the industry believe better school careers advice and improving the sector’s ‘dirty’ image are key steps to resolving the current skills gap in construction. With just two weeks before the three-day show returns to the
Green power replaces natural gas and coal in process heat generation (high-pressure steam, thermal oil, hot air) with the use of the power-to-heat storage Green Heat Module Together with the Solar Institute Jülich and industrial partners, Kraftanlagen Energies & Services has for the first time researched, developed and demonstrated an
With a national housing shortage and ambitious housebuilding targets for developers and local councils to meet, is now really the time to put the pressure on the industry to explore more sustainable methods of construction? The answer is a very clear yes from Wayne Oakes, a director at the sustainable
With the current financial climate pulling sharply at purse strings, making your budget go further for a cost-effective project is more attractive than ever before. In this article, Simon Castle, Managing Director at fit-out specialists, Chisholm & Winch, will discuss ways in which main contractors can meet budget requirements without compromising on quality, when it comes to working collaboratively with a specialist fit-out contractor. Aside from the basics of insurances and liabilities, this piece offers tips and advice on what to look for when choosing a fit-out subcontractor that goes beyond just installation; such as working to rethink material selection, where required, after sight of architectural designs. And how a specialist fit-out contractor can manage the supply chain to find cost effective product alternatives that fit the brief whilst maximising the budget. The article will look into the importance of streamlined processes, meticulous planning and early engagement methods. Also, the importance of working with a company that offers end-to-end solutions and includes experts with specialist market knowledge who know their materials and ensure the cost and buildability of products is right (especially in the current climate of long lead times) whilst factoring in whole life costs. Finally, how considering a team that provides accountability and in-house installers to deliver the fit out, means acquiring no extra hidden costs through subcontracting third party installers.
Staffordshire-based housing association, Aspire Housing, has appointed independent construction, property and management consultant Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB) to provide fire consultancy services for its development schemes covering new build and refurbishment projects. Aspire Housing owns and manages more than 9,000 homes across Staffordshire and Cheshire. RLB has been appointed on a three-year contract to support Aspire Housing with putting in place best in class fire safety practices and preparing for the ongoing regulations arising from the Building Safety Act. Tim Sims, RLB Partner and Building Safety Lead for the Midlands, said: “Ensuring the ‘golden thread’ from design to construction to handover is an essential part of fire safety, we are really proud to have been appointed by Aspire Housing to support them with this vital work. It demonstrates the commitment of Aspire to instil best practice building safety measures into the core of its operations and being prepared for any new future regulations.” Farmeda Kosar, Director of Development and Regeneration at Aspire Housing, comments: “We have ambitious growth plans at Aspire Housing and providing the best, safest homes to our customers is at the very heart of this. The expertise that the RLB team bring with them in fire consultancy services is exemplary and we are really looking forward to working with them on our development schemes.”
ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions Door Group has launched the new Powershield Rathlin door, which is LPS 2081 certified and prevents unauthorised access by various physical security products when targeted by intruders using stealth. The Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB) is a globally recognised third-party certification body that sets the standards needed to ensure that fire and security products and services perform effectively. The new standard LPS 2081, created by the LPBC with the BRE and Secured by Design, specifies two grades of security relating to the tools used and the time taken by attackers where they want to avoid making any significant noise. This standard is separate to LPS 1175, which also relates to vandalism and security, but has different requirements to the noise element. With LPS 2081, the security performance is split into two categories – A or B – based on the tools used and the duration of the attack. The new Powershield Rathlin is LPS 2081 Security B rated, which is the more advanced rating, prolonging the attack for up to 3 minutes, and with an enhanced set of tools. The new Powershield Rathlin comprises of morticed mechanical escape lock with automatic deadlocking, panic pad, key with AASD Guard, louvre vents, pull handle, surface mounted pull handle, vison panels, and active leaf. Brian Sofley, Managing Director at ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions UK & Ireland Door Group, explained: “The market leading Powershield steel door range combines high performance with high quality, offering a fully compliant, fully finished door set with factory-fitted hardware. Doors and frames are designed to ensure ease of installation on-site and provide the end user with a premium door solution. “Our new Powershield Rathlin’s LPS 2081 certification demonstrates the door’s ability to withstand a stealth attack, where the intruder avoids making significant noise that would usually draw attention. “This new addition adds to our existing comprehensive portfolio of high-performance products that meet the standards and legislation for safety and security.” To find out more about how ASSA ABLOY Powershield range, visit https://www.assaabloy.com/uk/en/solutions/products/doors/powershield
CONSTRUCTION of a building that will accelerate modern construction skills in Sunderland is set to move forward, after the appointment of a North East contractor. Tolent has been awarded the contract to design and construct the Housing Innovation and Construction Skills Academy (HICSA), a world-class training facility that will provide ‘next generation skills for next generation homes’ and support the city’s advanced manufacturing, carbon reduction and renewable energy ambitions. Sunderland City Council has appointed the contractor to progress with the building, which will be led by Sunderland College to deliver ground-breaking training that will educate and upskill local people to create innovative factory-built new homes, the first of which will be assembled at Riverside Sunderland. Planning consent for the development was granted in March and it is hoped that – with Tolent appointed – work will be able to commence on the £15m building later this year when the technical design is complete. The facility, which will stand at Sheepfolds and will re-purpose the existing goods shed on the corner of Hay Street, will be operated by Sunderland College with support from education and industry partners including one of the founding partners, the Ministry of Building Innovation and Education (MOBIE), which is led by Washington-born TV architect, George Clark. It will form a key part of Sunderland’s ambitious city centre housing ecosystem, enabling Sunderland people to meet the city’s future housing needs, with the skill and expertise to employ modern methods of construction (MMC). Councillor Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council, said he was delighted to see the project advancing. He said: “I’m pleased that we have appointed a construction partner able to help us drive forward with a development that is of huge significance to the city – a development that will fuel the development of construction skills that will make Sunderland a leader in MMC and retrofit. “With Tolent working on the development of the first housing scheme on Vaux too, it is quite fitting that they will also be building the training academy that will develop skills to help us deliver future phases of residential development at Riverside Sunderland.” When completed, HICSA will support the development of scores of eco-friendly homes planned for Riverside Sunderland and the city centre. It has been backed by the Government’s Levelling Up Fund (LUF) – announced as part of the last Autumn Budget – with £20m committed to supporting the city’s housing ecosystem, including £9m of support for HICSA. CEO of Tolent, Paul Webster, said: “We’re delighted to have been appointed to construct this trailblazing academy that will help nurture the next generation of skilled people, who will build homes of the future in Sunderland. “The talent that emerges from HICSA will no doubt power our own future skills pipeline, so we’re pleased to be playing a part in bringing this important project forward.” The facility – the brainchild of the three organisations working in partnership – will enable Sunderland to build the skills-base to upgrade the city’s homes locally, using MMC, low carbon, renewable energy and smart technology. It will position Sunderland at the heart of the UK’s net zero ambitions, enabling the city to capitalise on the move towards modern methods of construction and sustainable house-building while helping Sunderland realise its Smart City and Net-Zero Carbon ambitions. Ellen Thinnesen, chief executive of Sunderland College and Education Partnership North East, said: “I am grateful to Sunderland City Council and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities for supporting this vision. A significant increase in training provision is needed for all skills and roles across the construction and energy sectors if we are to build homes of the future, and support the UK’s low carbon ambitions. HICSA will be a key part of the ecosystem.” HICSA is one of several exciting projects that are incorporated in the Riverside Sunderland Masterplan, which sets out a development framework for this new urban quarter, comprising the former Vaux Brewery site, High Street West, Keel Square, Galley’s Gill, Farringdon Row and Sheepfolds. Expo Sunderland is also part of the plan, helping to engage and inspire industry and local people in the delivery of innovative homes on the site, and positioning Sunderland as a world-class place to live, work and play. The event will take place in 2024. To find out more about the plans for Riverside Sunderland, visit https://www.riversidesunderland.com
Research by Warwick Estates reveals that the UK’s property management services industry is on track to have a market value of more than £30 billion by 2025 as a pandemic slump makes way for consecutive years of steady growth. The property management services industry covers all businesses that provide third-party or outsourced services to oversee the management and maintenance of property, as well as tenant relations, on behalf of owners or landlords. Today, the industry is made up of 22,245 businesses employing 309,172 members of staff, combining to generate a market value of £27.7 billion. This value represents an increase of 5.3% since last year but still isn’t enough to bring market value back to where it was prior to the pandemic. The current market remains -4.9% down on 2019 when its value peaked at £29.1 billion, but there needn’t be too much cause for concern because today’s value is still 26.8% higher than it was a decade ago. Furthermore, projected figures suggest that 2022’s start towards post-pandemic recovery is paving the way for at least three years of continuous market growth culminating in 2025 when the property management services industry is expected to be worth £30.4 billion; a 9.8% increase on today’s value. If this comes to fruition, it will mean that the market reaches a higher value that at any other point in the past decade, including its pre-pandemic peak of 2019. Data tables Data tables and sources can be viewed online, here.
Landlords have a lot on their plates. Between finding and screening tenants, collecting rent, maintaining the property, and dealing with emergencies, it can feel like there’s not enough time in the day. Thankfully, some tasks can be handled by the landlord themselves without having to call in a professional. In this blog post, we will discuss what landlords can DIY and when they should call in the pros! Screening Tenants One of the most important things landlords can do is screen their tenants. This includes running a credit check, criminal background check, and checking references. While it may be tempting to skip this step to save time, it’s important to remember that your tenant will be living in your property, and you want to make sure they are responsible and will take care of your property. Collecting Rent When it comes to collecting rent, landlords have a few options. They can collect rent online through a service like RentPayment, or they can collect rent in person. If landlords choose to collect rent in person, they should have a system in place to ensure that rent is collected on time and in full. Maintaining the Property Landlords are responsible for maintaining their property and keeping it in good condition. This includes tasks like painting, repairing broken appliances, and mowing the lawn. Landlords should have a regular schedule for maintenance to ensure that their property is always in top shape. However, there are some maintenance tasks that landlords should not attempt to DIY and should instead call a professional. For example, if there is a blocked drain on the property, they need to call a local drainage company to clear it. There are some tasks, however, that landlords should not DIY. These tasks include: Emergencies If there is an emergency at the property, like a broken pipe or a fire, landlords should not try to handle it themselves. They should call the appropriate professionals to deal with the situation. Legal Issues Landlords should not try to handle legal issues on their own. If there is a problem with a tenant, like non-payment of rent or damage to the property, landlords should consult with an attorney to find out what their legal options are. Accounting Landlords should not try to do their own accounting. This is a complex task that requires knowledge of tax laws and regulations. Landlords should hire an accountant to prepare their taxes and handle their financial affairs. Hiring Employees Landlords should not try to hire their own employees. This includes handymen, painters, and cleaners. Landlords should use a professional service like Handy to find qualified professionals to work on their property. Marketing the Property Landlords should not try to market their property themselves. This is a complex task that requires knowledge of SEO, social media, and online advertising. Landlords should use a professional marketing company to help them promote their property. As you can see, landlords have a lot on their plate. Some landlords try to take on too much and end up biting off more than they can chew. But by knowing what they can DIY and when to call in the pros, they can make sure that their property is always in good condition!
Health and safety cover many essential components. The fact is that there’s a variety of hazards in any modern workplace, but in a construction setting, these hazards are multiplied infinitely. Electrical equipment, from machinery to computers can all be hazardous if they are not properly used. What does it take to ensure that the construction site is working with electricity safely? Being Aware of Conductive Tools When working in any area with electrical hazards, we have to assume that electrical parts are live and should not use conductive tools in those areas. There’s a variety of materials that easily conduct electricity, like water. It’s important to operate with a more pragmatic approach and to make the assumption that these electrical parts are always live, rather than just hoping for the best! It’s also important to be aware that some products can easily throw off static shocks, which, after a while, can be frustrating. But companies like Bondline provide anti-static products that can be beneficial in this environment. Follow the Company’s Electrical Safety Work Practices Each company will have its own practices depending on the equipment and the hazards. Every organisation needs to follow company-specific work practices so all employees are safe. Understanding Common Electrical Hazards It should be a part of any robust health and safety practice that employees know common electrical hazards. Components such as damaged equipment and tools, incorrect use of fuses, improper grounding, and smoke or smells emanating from equipment are all warning signs that the equipment should be turned off and the area cleared. Promoting Safe Use of Electrical Equipment Best practices such as unplugging cords safely and not overstretching electrical cords are some things that can ensure everyone’s safety. It is these things that can make the equipment far more robust and potentially save a life in the process. Regular PAT testing on the equipment conducted by a specialist is vital to ensure that every item is operating safely and there are no frayed wires or exposed circuits that could cause danger to employees. Ensuring Only Qualified Personnel Works With Live Electrics In a construction setting ensuring that a qualified electrical specialist with the right training should work on electrical wires. Understanding the Voltage As a rule, unqualified personnel should never interact with electrical currents greater than 50 volts. It’s important to maintain a safe distance from any equipment operating above this and there should be no exposed electrics or wires. Understanding the Impact of Electrical Shocks Electrical shops can be dangerous, but they can also be life-threatening. An electric shock could cause burns, and even a small dose of electricity can be fatal. First aid training is an essential component in any workplace environment, but when it comes to electrical shocks, it’s important to ensure that anybody performing first aid is aware of the potential for getting a shock as well. Workplace safety is undoubtedly incredibly important on construction sites. Having a robust and reactive approach to electricity is crucial. Electrics are no joke, and it needs to be treated accordingly.
A new survey by UK Construction Week Birmingham has revealed that those who work in the industry believe better school careers advice and improving the sector’s ‘dirty’ image are key steps to resolving the current skills gap in construction. With just two weeks before the three-day show returns to the NEC on October 4th, the survey polled over 1,100 people across the sector, including architects, engineers, housebuilders, installers, joiners, contractors and consultants. It found over a quarter (26%) of respondents felt the solution to fixing the skills gap was ‘better career advice at school/college to paint a more attractive picture of construction to young people’, while 24% said the answer was ‘a long-term strategy to attract and retain talent, not just a short fix’. Key barriers to young people pursuing a career in construction were seen as the industry being perceived as ‘dirty job’ (23%), lack of careers advice (19%), and the sector being seen as male-dominated (15%). Other survey results included: The main barriers to people’s own advancement in construction was due to lack of training support from their employer (18%); poor careers advice (18%); and lack of funding (17%) 57% of respondents thought the skills gap had either worsened or stayed the same in the last two years, with ‘the great resignation’ (19%); uncertainty (17%); and long lead times and the rise of materials and product costs (17%) being the principal causes Respondents said the best things about working in construction are the tangible results (25%); learning new skills (20%); and the fact that no two days are the same (15%) When asked what the construction industry workforce will look like in 2050, the most popular responses included ‘a more diverse/female workforce’; ‘more use of AI’; ‘increase in mechanisation/robotics’; and ‘it will be more lucrative and attractive to graduates’ 84% of respondents said flexible/hybrid working was now an option in their role, with the key reasons for the 16% who don’t have that flexibility being ‘not practical – we need to be on site at all times’ (52%); ‘the directors do not like it’ (18%) and ‘it’s never been discussed’ (16%) Nathan Garnett, UKCW Birmingham’s event director said: “Our survey is a clarion call to both the government and construction sector, and outlines what we need to change if we are to tackle the skills crisis we currently face. We plan to use our event in just two weeks’ time to set out some of the solutions that our survey points to so we can create real culture change. “Our survey not only highlights the challenge, but it also illustrates the variety and truly rewarding nature of being part of the built environment – a message we will get across loud and clear.” Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “As we continue to work hard to supercharge our region’s economic recovery, the construction sector will play a key role. Many of our young people – and indeed local job seekers of all ages – have recognised that joining this industry can offer an exciting, practical and well paid career path for those willing to grasp the opportunity. “However, it’s clear from the survey that we have more work to do to change perceptions and highlight the positive side of this booming sector which will shape the West Midlands for many years to come. I hope to play my part in fostering interest in construction – working together with the industry and other bodies like CITB – not only to connect local residents with great jobs but also to alleviate the skills shortage in the sector which is essential if we are to reach our full potential.” Tim Balcon, Chief Executive, CITB (Construction Industry Training Board) said: “We welcome this insight, which highlights the challenge that is being faced to attract and retain talent and to address the skills gap. We need to work collaboratively across industry to strengthen the entire talent pipeline and increase the number of people joining and staying in construction. “By investing over £233m across the sector this year, we’re doing all that we can to facilitate key routes into industry such as apprenticeship and employer grants, occupational traineeships, and onsite experience hubs. In short, we’re working hard to support the construction industry to address the gap highlighted in this report so that we can build a skilled, competent and inclusive workforce both for now and in the future.” This year UKCW Birmingham is expecting around 25,000 attendees, will officially be opened by Channel 4 presenter George Clarke and features guest speaker Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands. Celebrating culture change in the construction industry with an exciting programme of debate and discussion from top speakers, the show will also shine a spotlight on over 6,000 products from more than 300 exciting exhibitors. Visitors will also be able to find sections dedicated to Net Zero, Building Materials, Digitalisation, Infrastructure, Surface & Materials, Offsite Construction, and Skills & Careers. Register for free here, UKCW Birmingham registrations and if you are part of an industry group or community and you’d like to host your own networking event please get in touch via info@ukconstructionweek.com. Follow on social media @uk_cw #UKCW2022
Green power replaces natural gas and coal in process heat generation (high-pressure steam, thermal oil, hot air) with the use of the power-to-heat storage Green Heat Module Together with the Solar Institute Jülich and industrial partners, Kraftanlagen Energies & Services has for the first time researched, developed and demonstrated an experimental plant operating at 1000 degrees Celsius in the multiTESS project Focus on CO2-free and base-load-capable heat and power supply from regional sources Green Heat Module The reliable and CO2-free supply of heat and electricity from regional renewable energy sources is a complex problem in industry. Kraftanlagen Energies & Services solves it as a general contractor with its new Green Heat Module (GHM) product. In order to decarbonise an even greater number of industrial processes, Kraftanlagen Energies & Services, together with the Solar Institute Jülich of Aachen University of Applied Sciences (SIJ) and consortium partners Otto Junker and Dürr Systems, developed a so-called power-to-heat storage system in the multiTESS project, which operates at a temperature level of 1000 degrees Celsius. This allows energy to be stored in the form of high-temperature heat (“loaded”) and this heat to be converted back into electricity when needed (“unloaded”). In addition, external heat sources – such as waste heat from industrial processes – can also be included. It is also conceivable to use the stored heat not only to produce electricity, but also to feed it into public district heating networks or to provide process heat for (heavy) industry. To make this possible, the test facility has now been opened in Jülich. At the opening ceremony, Oliver Krischer, Minister for the Environment and Transport of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, said that the multiTESS technology could become a model for many residential areas as well as commercial and industrial zones. The energy supply of the future must be based on renewable energies. Jeanette Lemmes (Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action) affirmed that the common goal must be to ensure security of supply, prosperity and climate protection. The centrepiece of the plant in the Jülich Brainergy Park is a six-metre-high chimney extension painted bright blue. Inside are several layers of ceramic honeycomb bricks that have vertical ventilation channels. Air flows through these stones – when they are loaded, 1000-degree hot air is introduced from above, which releases its energy to the stones on its way down. When unloading, cooler air is introduced from below and flows upwards, absorbing the heat energy. The actual building houses the electric heating system, which heats the air to up to 1000 degrees, and turbines to generate electricity. CO2-free base load supply The temperature range above heat pumps – i.e. between 150 and 1000 degrees – has so far posed a major technical and economic problem for CO2-free base load supply. It is precisely this problem that is being successfully addressed for the first time at 1000 degrees in the multiTESS project. This is also the first time that an electric high-performance heater is used in conjunction with a high-temperature storage tank and heat utilisation as a complete system at a nominal temperature of 1000 degrees. The process couples the electricity sector with the heat sector. In doing so, the power-to-heat storage system enables the use of cheap but volatile renewable energies for a compellingly demand-controlled industrial heat and coupled power supply. Due to the very high efficiency, multiTESS systems can make a relevant contribution to supply security and decarbonisation in connection with renewable energies. Due to the use of existing standard components that have been used industrially for decades, multiTESS systems can already be used in industry today at lower temperatures of around 750 degrees, for example, for a CO2-free process heat supply. With parallel integration to existing heat generators, storage capacities of about 1 GWhth and thermal discharge capacities of 1 to 200 MWth can already be realised at these lower temperatures. In the future, the processes will also be operated at higher temperatures. Industry and science worked hand in hand in the planning and construction of the plant. The high-temperature heating system was designed and built by Otto Junker GmbH, Dürr Systems AG built the ceramic heat storage system and an ORC plant, and Kraftanlagen Energies und Services GmbH was responsible for the overall planning. Alfons Weber (CEO Kraftanlagen Energies & Services) sums up: “We are facing a historic turning point in industrial heat supply: Increasingly, power generation from renewable energy sources is cheaper than fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas. Our Green Heat Module product takes advantage of this game change. It produces and stores process heat in a way that serves the grid, namely whenever renewables are available at a favourable price, thus enabling a CO2- and emission-free base load supply. The GHM shows a high potential for reducing fossil fuels, and thus reducing import dependencies and climate-damaging emissions, because it is available now and scalable for storage capacities of gigawatt hours.”
With a national housing shortage and ambitious housebuilding targets for developers and local councils to meet, is now really the time to put the pressure on the industry to explore more sustainable methods of construction? The answer is a very clear yes from Wayne Oakes, a director at the sustainable engineering consultancy, Dice. He believes a greener modular building approach can increase sustainability, reduce construction time and begin to tackle the huge volumes of waste generated by the construction industry. The UK’s housing crisis is well documented, with ambitious targets set by the government of 300,000 new homes a year. With that comes a secondary problem, that of construction waste. A DEFRA report highlighted that in 2018, construction, demolition and excavation accounted for 62% of the UK’s total waste. So how do developers continue to build at speed, reduce the volume of waste materials and create more sustainable methods of construction? The answer is staring us all in the face – modular homes. Modular homes are designed to be energy efficient and very efficient to manufacture. They’re created off site – where waste can be kept to a minimum – and different elements of a build can all be happening at the same time. Offsite construction enables phases of work to be undertaken concurrently. Onsite substructure and infrastructure work can be taking place whilst the superstructure is being built in a factory. Factory conditions also mean that there are no delays due to inclement weather. And there are environmental benefits to working offsite, helping us to fight the climate crisis. It is more straightforward to manage waste in a factory environment rather than on a construction site. It allows for far more control meaning less contamination, more recycling and less overall waste. Another large contributor to climate change is pollution and energy output. Modular designs see a 40% reduction in HGV movement at construction sites, and manufacturing off site also minimises the time and energy spent on site. This cuts travel and transport, as workers are more likely to be concentrated around a specific factory. Due to these factors, overall pollution is reduced. Recycling is another big focus across every sector. Materials in traditional construction like timber, brick and concrete, are very rarely re-used and it can be hard work to do so. The volumetric and panelised systems found in modular building lend themselves to recycling in a much more practical and efficient way. There are challenges, as there are with every construction project, and they do require a different approach to traditional methods of construction. Modular projects and units do differ from the traditional, standard residential units. They have specific requirements in terms of their sub-structures and external works. This is particularly the case in sites with gradients and water management requirements. On our first modular project, we worked very closely with the manufacturer on specific design standards, in particular with regards to the National Housebuilding Council’s requirements for the substructure. This was a condition of the offsite manufacturing partner, to ensure that each of the plots met the requirements of building control. As engineers, we need to be agile, responsive to site specific needs and challenge design to ensure modular methods of construction get the recognition they deserve. We’ve realised technology’s potential and are driving the change. It’s our duty to think creatively to develop new, more sustainable ways of construction and ultimately living.
