Building Better, an alliance of 29 housing associations and councils, supported by the National Housing Federation, has appointed an initial six manufacturers to its new dynamic purchasing system (DPS) for MMC category 2 construction systems. Future Built, LoCal Homes, Project Etopia, Roe Timberframe, Sigmat and Starship Homes are the first
Offsite construction specialist Rollalong is using its expertise to provide accommodation for homeless families near Wokingham, Berkshire. The Dorset-based company is due to deliver 23 modular two-bedroom homes at Grovelands Park in Winnersh, replacing existing outdated temporary accommodation for homeless families. The homes were manufactured in controlled factory conditions at
Volumetric offsite methods offer complete solutions to housing, hospitals, student accommodation, office buildings and schools. Amongst other advantages, volumetric offsite construction brings to the factory all critical activities linked to the structure, mechanical and electrical work as well as to the exterior and interior finishes, including special equipment. A Volumetric
Modular off-site construction methods hold potential to solve the UK’s crippling housing shortage, according to a report by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IME). The report, entitled “The UK House Building: Manufacturing Affordable Quality Homes” is urging the Government to provide greater incentives for the offsite construction of homes. Lead
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
Building Better, an alliance of 29 housing associations and councils, supported by the National Housing Federation, has appointed an initial six manufacturers to its new dynamic purchasing system (DPS) for MMC category 2 construction systems. Future Built, LoCal Homes, Project Etopia, Roe Timberframe, Sigmat and Starship Homes are the first firms selected by Procurement for Housing and Building Better to provide 2D panelised systems, assembled on-site. The DPS is worth £600m over four years and will run in parallel with Building Better’s first MMC framework which launched in July 2021 and covers category 1 volumetric 3D systems. The alliance aims to give members access to a range of different MMC solutions so they can find the right one for their site. Building Better took the decision to create a DPS, not a fixed framework, so panelised manufacturers can join at any point during the term of the DPS. The category 2 segment of the offsite market is evolving rapidly with new products and manufacturers emerging all the time. By setting up a DPS, social housing providers can access the latest solutions and suppliers as they come to market. Over 215,000 homes are managed by the 29 housing associations and local authorities that make up Building Better. Since the launch of its volumetric framework in 2021, alliance members have put nearly 40 schemes through it, getting costs on over 900 MMC homes. With the launch of its DPS, Building Better will help the social housing sector to produce around 5,000 MMC properties by 2026. Manufacturers wanting to join Building Better’s DPS must first be certified by the Buildoffsite Property Assurance Scheme (BOPAS) or assessed by building warranty provider the National House Building Council (NHBC) and their products must aim to meet the Future Homes Standard. Once they have passed an additional selection procedure, looking at their commercial, social and sustainability credentials, manufacturers can bid for opportunities via a tender call-off. This process has been streamlined for social housing providers too, with members receiving a tender template pack and hands-on support from Procurement for Housing. Trina Chakravarti, Project Director of Building Better said: “The emerging nature of this part of the MMC marketplace means that social housing organisations have, to date, been wary of category 2. Some told us they were anxious about committing to a panelised manufacturer; not knowing if the company or even this form of MMC would be around in four years. Because of this, we knew a different procurement approach was needed; one that would still provide high standards and ease of access like our category 1 framework, but a solution that didn’t ‘clip the wings’ of manufacturers operating in such a fluid environment.” John Bellamy, Category Manager for Construction & Sustainability at Procurement for Housing (PfH) said: “A major benefit of setting up a DPS is the learning. As an alliance, we’ll be able to grow our understanding of what housing organisations actually require with category 2 and the technical solutions they gravitate to. Creating a framework now would have meant guessing the answers. But a DPS allows us to gather data and feedback on products and manufacturers, educating ourselves and helping us to normalise offsite and use it at scale across the sector.” For further information about using Building Better’s MMC Category 2 DPS, click here For manufacturers wanting to join Building Better’s MMC Category 2 DPS, click here Building Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction & Property News
Offsite construction specialist Rollalong is using its expertise to provide accommodation for homeless families near Wokingham, Berkshire. The Dorset-based company is due to deliver 23 modular two-bedroom homes at Grovelands Park in Winnersh, replacing existing outdated temporary accommodation for homeless families. The homes were manufactured in controlled factory conditions at Rollalong’s headquarters near Bournemouth. Phase one has now been transported to the site and work to complete the installation of all 23 homes is expected to be completed by August 2022. The project will double the number of homes on the Wokingham Borough Council site, and they will be far more energy efficient than the old units. The modular homes will allow more families to be accommodated safely and comfortably while they wait for somewhere permanent to live, and they have their own toilet and bathroom as well as an open-plan lounge, dining room and kitchen. One will be specially adapted for households with people who have disabilities. Laurie Garside, Projects Manager at Rollalong, said: “We are delighted to be working with Wokingham Borough Council’s housing team. The accommodation we have installed for the initial phase of the project is of a very high standard and will provide the local area with a much needed boost for temporary housing.” Councillor John Kaiser, Executive Member for Finance and Housing at Wokingham Borough Council, said: “Homelessness is a fast-growing issue across the country and, sadly, Wokingham borough is no different. We’ve seen an increase during the coronavirus pandemic and coupled with the rising cost of living, this trend is likely to continue. “Improving and increasing the amount of temporary accommodation at Grovelands Park will ensure that we have a safe, suitable supply to meet future need while helping people to live in comfort and dignity at a distressing, uncertain and vulnerable period in their lives. “The new homes will also reduce our reliance on bed and breakfasts, which are expensive, generally have shared facilities and are always outside of the borough, which can increase the sense of isolation for those facing homelessness.” All councils are required to provide temporary emergency housing for homeless families with children or families and individuals who are vulnerable until they find a settled home. At Grovelands Park the old prefabricated units had to be replaced as they were originally built as holiday homes and not intended for long-term occupation. The new timber-clad homes have modern and reliable heating systems and are highly insulated which will prevent pipes from freezing in winter, reduce heating costs and limit their carbon footprint. They also feature the latest fire safety and sustainability measures such as sprinkler systems, double glazing and solar panels, and they are fully furnished with internet access. Some homes are also trialling the latest air source heat pump technologies, an environmentally friendly system that draws heat from outside into the home.
Volumetric offsite methods offer complete solutions to housing, hospitals, student accommodation, office buildings and schools. Amongst other advantages, volumetric offsite construction brings to the factory all critical activities linked to the structure, mechanical and electrical work as well as to the exterior and interior finishes, including special equipment. A Volumetric approach ensures better quality control, but also limits the work to be carried on site to groundwork and foundations, connection to services, and minor finish work. As a result of this, volumetric offsite methods have the potential to help achieve a waste reduction of up to 90% on site compared to traditional construction. By bringing most trades within a controlled factory environment it has been proven that the generation of waste can be limited to less than 1.8% of the total weight of materials processed, and that appropriate recycling measures can limit the waste sent to landfill to less than 0.6%. Volumetric modular manufacturing is based on a lean design and procurement process that optimises the use of materials and ensures better management of resources. Utilising flexible modular construction systems, projects can be undertaken on designated sites that are unsuitable for conventional building developments. Offsite construction enables much of the work to be completed prior to delivery, controlling costs and minimising disruption on site. As a sustainable form of construction, modular buildings offer a unique approach to recycling. By reconfiguring used buildings they are able to breathe new life into existing structures, preserving the embodied energy from the original manufacturing phase and significantly reducing the use of materials. Modules are designed to be dismantled, relocated or recycled at any stage during their lifespan; this approach is integral to the build process, removing the requirement for demolition and in turn minimising the need for disposal in landfill sites. Prefabrication techniques produce a low-energy approach coupled with fast-track construction processes, both equating to minimised carbon emissions. Oliver Lowrie, Director for Ackroyd Lowrie is an architect and co-founder of Ackroyd Lowrie. He will be discussing ‘Optimising design for Volumetric production’ at Explore Offsite Outlooks. Oliver will be joined at Explore Offsite Outlooks by an outstanding speaker line-up that includes: Andrew Orriss, Sales Director – SIG360; Ben Lever, Future Skills Manager – CITB; John Eynon, Engagement Lead – BIM Alliance; Alan Clucas, Director – Explore Manufacturing – Laing O’Rourke… and more. For the full list of speakers go to: http://www.exploreoffsite.co.uk/2018-events/explore-offsite-outlooks/conference-speakers/ This one-day conference and exhibition will create a platform for clients and their professional advisers, contractors and project managers and offsite technology suppliers to network with industry experts to discuss the latest developments in digital construction for the offsite sector. The Explore Offsite Outlooks conference and supporting exhibition is taking place on 28 February 2018. Tickets cost just £125 + vat and includes entry into the conference and exhibition, lunch and refreshments. There will also be an optional guided tour of the BRE Innovation Park. To find out more or to secure your place at Explore Offsite Outlooks go to: www.exploreoffsite.co.uk/book
Modular off-site construction methods hold potential to solve the UK’s crippling housing shortage, according to a report by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IME). The report, entitled “The UK House Building: Manufacturing Affordable Quality Homes” is urging the Government to provide greater incentives for the offsite construction of homes. Lead Author of the report and Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Dr Tim Fox said “The UK is in the middle of an acute housing crisis. Current annual construction levels are typically less than half of the estimated 250,000 new homes this country needs built every year through to at least the 2030s. The new Government needs to demonstrate real ambition, leadership and innovation, not make small piecemeal changes, if it is going to solve the UK’s housing crisis. Overhauling the way the UK constructs homes could be the quickest and most effective way of doing this.” Off-site construction technologies have advanced greatly in recent years and can offer shorter build times, better quality, better energy efficiency, less waste, and lower costs for buyers. “I’ve always believed there must be a way to get better quality and build quicker,” says Tom Bloxham, chief executive of Urban Splash While timeframes are project dependent, most estimates are that off-site-built homes can be produced in about half the time of traditional construction as the house itself can be built in the factory while foundations are being laid on site. Developers also cite the reduced requirement for scarce skilled labour, fewer construction accidents and more consistent quality of build compared to traditional construction. So is now the time for off-site construction to hit the mainstream? Bloxham thinks so, saying production line precision means his homes are both “extraordinarily” airtight, which improves their energy efficiency, and highly customisable. With his 43-home scheme in New Islington, Manchester, all sold and occupied, he is now aiming to ramp up production to several thousand a year. “We’ve shown there’s a demand for it, we’ve shown the quality is really good, and now it’s building the capacity,” he says. This will be discussed in greater detail by James Walsh, Lead Designer, Anyo Architects at Explore Offsite Housing – he will be speaking about ‘Modular Design: How to use modular techniques to solve the housing shortage.’ James Walsh will be joined at Explore Offsite Housing by an outstanding speaker line-up that includes: Brian Ham, Executive Director of Development, Home Group; Jenny Coombs, Project Director, Local Partnerships ; Paul Williamson Managing Director: Modular Construction, Swan Housing; Peter Andrew, Deputy Chairman, Home Builders Federation; Stephen Haigh Chief Executive, Live Verde; Sir Edward Lister, Chair, Homes England; Bjorn Conway, Chief Executive Officer, Ilke Homes and more. For the full list of speakers go to: http://www.exploreoffsite.co.uk/2018-events/explore-offsite-housing/conference-speakers/ Explore Offsite provides positive return-on-investment and are some of the most well-attended events dedicated to the offsite manufacturing and construction industry. Why should you Exhibit? Strengthen your brand positioning, generate sales leads, build relationships with prospects, advance the sales cycle, increase awareness, generate publicity and many more! For more information on package prices click here Alternatively, contact Julie Richards on 01743 290001 or email julie.richards@radar-communications.co.uk. Tickets cost just £225 + vat for a two-day ticket and £125 + vat for a one day ticket. This ticket price includes entry into the conference and exhibition, lunch and refreshments. Book your place online today: http://www.exploreoffsite.co.uk/book
