MODERN METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION 89 THE FUTURE IS MODULAR
Dave Lancaster from Uponor discusses the progress of off site construction and the systems used in modular assemblies – and how MMC can accommodate the demands of the housing crisis without compromising on design.
W
hile there are many learnings that can be taken from the MMC-led construction of commercial retail, hospitals and prisons – all of which showcase MMC’s scalability potential – attention must be directed to the fact that, overall, consumers want greater diversity when it comes to their homes. Therefore, while technology is developing quickly and MMC is generating buildings of a higher quality than ever before, manufacturers, architects and design professionals will play a vital role in ensuring that individ- uality is maintained and that clients are well informed on whether MMC is the right approach for a project.
Nonetheless, meeting the Government’s target of building 300,000 new homes per year using traditional methods of construction alone would be an extremely tall order. So, with these ambitious targets coupled with continuous shortages impacting materials and labour, it doesn’t
come as much of a shock that arguments favouring offsite housing production are taking centre stage. But in order to make this a success, collaboration is key, and housebuilders, contractors, designers and the wider supply chain must all commit to working together in order to educate each other and drive the industry forward.
THE NEED FOR SPEED Recent statistics highlight that almost 50,000 new homes were built in the fi rst three months of 2021, the biggest increase seen in over 20 years. However, since then, the construction industry has been impacted by a number of challenges which have meant that some projects have been hit by delays and unanticipated costs.
Due to this, methods such as offsite manufacturing are increasing in popularity due to their ability to increase productivity and the speed at which homes, hospitals and schools are being
built. In fact, in 2021, Savills predicted that the proportion of new housing developments built using MMC would need to increase from the current 6-10% to 20% of the market in the coming years in order to meet government targets.
GROUND BREAKING DESIGN Despite the benefi ts MMC can offer, many within the industry are hesitant to switch to modular building. One reason for this is that, historically, factory-based assemblies have suffered from a bad reputation when it comes to aesthetics. However, due to technological advance- ments in recent years, modular building now actually serves as an opportunity to push the boundaries of innovation and high-quality design. Putting the wellbeing of residents fi rst, the interiors of modular buildings are now designed to be spacious and to let in copious natural light, while also being constructed using high-quality materials, heating and plumbing systems.
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