structural elements


VMC – a growing solution


Volumetric modular construction (VMC) has a number of benefits for clients and contractors, both commercial and environmental. Graham Cleland, sales and commercial director for Unite Modular Solutions Ltd, looks at the innovative construction concept.


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Woodland Court was designed in just 17 weeks, incorpo- rating cantilevered modules, bay window modules and a completely scaffold free module installation


n its most basic form, volumetric modular con- struction is the fast-track design and factory man- ufacture of volumetric units in the form of


lightweight steel frames that are fully fitted and fur- nished, which are then delivered and joined together on site to create bespoke buildings. Recent develop- ments have introduced a more sophisticated level of factory fit out and the increasing use of the lightweight steel frame technology to produce an entire building, including common areas and lifts, without the need for any additional supporting structure. Volumetric modules are proving to be a growing


One of the key benefits of modular construction


is that it does not have to stifle architectural creativ- ity and flair. The high level of technology employed in manufacturing lightweight steel frame technology allows bespoke design solutions to be created with no adverse impact on manufacturing process time or build quality. The positives surrounding the differing nature of


‘Ability to meet


the restrictive time demands’


constructing a building using a volumetric modular approach proves to have several dimensions. As a construction solution it is cost competitive and offers a reduced programme leading to an earlier scheme completion, hence revenue realisation. Secondly, it offers enhanced build quality and reduced operational energy and main-


Wedgewood Court - where the design process comprised of 71 individually designed modules, taking just over 26 weeks to complete


solution for a diverse range of projects, including residential and student accommodation, along with hotels, leisure, military, affordable and eld- erly housing, and key worker accommodation. With changing market conditions and increasing numbers of students needing accommodation, modular construction is proving an efficient choice for many universities – pre-fitted to the requisite with factory fitted room content including beds, stairs, kitchens, bathrooms, furniture, floor and wall finishes together with all services, modules make for a fast on-site installation, reducing the time span of construction and limiting site disruption and waste. Recent schemes utilising the


Universities are turning to volumetric modular construc- tion for their bustling student community


volumetric modular concept include Slade Park student accommodation in Oxford, which was com- pleted in a significantly less amount of time than a traditional build. Consisting of four inter-dependent accommodation blocks of three and four floors, the development was constructed from volumetric units and the structural integrity of the development derives entirely from the modules themselves, which were completed and fully furnished in the factory before being transferred to the site where they were joined together to form the self-support- ing building.


tenance costs, as well as offering a significantly improved health and safety performance during con- struction activity, and not to mention the reduced carbon impact to create and dismantle the building at the end of its intended design life. Indeed, the ability to fully decommission, dismantle and recycle a whole building is a realistic prospect when choosing a volumetric modular approach. Environmentally, the high levels of automation


‘Fast on-site installation’


that are used in volumetric modular manufact- uring ensure that the process is more efficient and significantly less wasteful than those used in traditional construction. The advanced manufac- turing processes means that work in the factory under controlled conditions achieves a higher level of quality and on site waste is reduced and simplified, thereby decreasing overall energy consumption and the amount of waste produced in construc- tion. Research carried out by


WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) indicates that the reduction in on-site waste by choosing an off-site construction method can be up to 90 per cent. With clients and contractors able to appreciate


that the context of their corporate social responsi- bility extends to the carbon consequence of con- structing and dismantling a building, as well as the impact of the building in use, volumetric modular construction provides a sustainable solution to the construction industry.


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