STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS 63
MMC: THE ONLY WAY TO MEET DEMAND
With UK housing targets yet to be met, Chris Williams of Green Life Buildings (GLB) discusses how Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) are the smart solution to pick up the shortfall.
I
f we are going to hit the 300,000 properties a year that Britain is supposed to be building, doing it the
traditional way is quite clearly failing. One of the ways it can be done
quicker and easier is through offsite construction and Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). But, while MMC are increasingly falling
under the spotlight thanks to them having a Champion in Mark Farmer and being used in several high-profile TV programmes, the reality is that most specifiers, architects, and quantity surveyors just don’t understand them. And, while we are seeing more contrac- tors and large companies encouraged by
MANY STILL HAVE A RIGID VIEW OF OFFSITE CONSTRUCTION
MMC, it is not happening quickly enough.
A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY Offsite construction allows projects to be built quicker, cheaper, and greener compared to traditional building methods. The versatility and adaptability of MMC allows for greater design flexibility, which should appeal to a lot of markets. Using MMC techniques can also mean
difficult plots can be accessed and built on much easier, while buildings that would normally take months and months to put up can be built in a matter of weeks. MMC Category 1 volumetric and Category 2 panelised systems for example can be highly versatile solutions, and can combine to suit a variety of opportunities. Rather than competing, leading MMC
manufacturers look to encourage open source platforms for building. Sharing a platform in the same way the car industry does can allow for greater choice and deliver more lower carbon developments
than any one company can alone.
CHALLENGING PRECONCEPTIONS The speed at which MMC and offsite construction is adopted will depend on the rate at which planners and housing associations understand the reliability of these methods, instead of thinking a housing developer can throw them up and they will be good to go in a year or two's time. We need to call on governments and
agencies to improve clarity on funding and make it easier to access and secure for SMEs in the offsite construction supply chain. We also need to reach out and work collaboratively within the supply chain to secure projects to work on now. Pre-conceptions of those feeling hesitant to join offsite construction need to be challenged. There is no reason why people should think homes built in a factory are not as good as those that are not. In a couple of years, offsite and
WWW.HBDONLINE.CO.UK
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68
