90 MODERN METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION
Plus, many fail to acknowledge that the speed of delivery is not only great for the pocket, it is also great for design. By accelerating the delivery of new homes by more than double the rate of traditional methods, modular not only allows us to meet demands quicker, but it also gives architects the space to ensure that each and every building is thoroughly planned and aesthetically appealing while still meeting project timelines. This means that despite the concerns of many, MMC is far from compromising on design, it is actually leading the way.
SPACE OPTIMISATION
Multiple climate change studies indicate that indoor temperatures will exceed the comfort threshold of 26°C in the future, meaning that the amount of energy needed for cooling will go beyond the energy necessary for heating. To solve this problem, future-oriented temperature control in modular homes must be energy effi cient, possess the ability for both heating and cooling, and fi t into the limited space of many modular assemblies. To heat or cool a module with limited space, radiant emitter systems can be used as they have the capability of being installed behind walls, above ceilings, and under the fl oor, allowing the space to be
LOOKING AT WORLDWIDE TRENDS, MMC COULD SOON MAKE A HUGE IMPACT ON THE UK HOUSING MARKET
maximised. Technological advancement in the sector has also led to the develop- ment of low-profi le screeded radiant heating systems which can be installed at a total build height of only 15 mm, providing a good thermal mass while still providing the optimum space to allow design freedom.
Radiant heating systems can also be easily controlled in individual rooms, or pods, via a dedicated thermostat which provides the best thermal profi le for a specifi c area of a modular build. This allows modular homes to be heated more effi ciently, as energy is not wasted in rooms or zones that are not in use, in fact, it is estimated that these systems are between 20-25% more energy-effi cient than convection heating. Underfl oor heating systems are also easier to use for cooling. Hydronic cooling systems pass water through the pipes
which absorb the heat within a room cooling the environment and preventing overheating. The system’s temperature controls prevent the build-up of heat during warmer periods by reducing the degree to which the building mass heats up. The result is that surfaces are kept cooler and the internal ambient air temperature remains more comfortable.
MMC – A WORLDWIDE TREND In spite of the obvious advantages brought by modular housing, it is not yet widely utilised in the UK. However, Looking at worldwide trends, MMC could soon make a huge impact on the UK housing market.
Thanks to advancements in technology and design, methods such as modular building have already been adopted on mass scale across the global market with 150-180,000 modular homes constructed per annum in Japan, and around 45% of Swedish homes now being built using offsite manufacturing. So, with the benefi ts of MMC becoming increasingly apparent, it is clear that something is changing and it is only a matter of time before MMC rises to the forefront of UK housing innovation. ‘Watch this pod.’
Dave Lancaster is senior category manager at Uponor
Flagship zero carbon home uses refl ective membrane technology to deliver energy effi ciency
A
concept house for sustainable living developed by one of the UK’s major housebuilders has been installed with
refl ective, insulating wall membranes from Glidevale Protect to deliver an airtight and energy effi cient building envelope. Zed House, built by Barratt Developments PLC, is a unique zero carbon home built on The University of Salford’s main campus and is a collaboration between the housebuilder, industry partners
Glidevale Protect’s wall membranes were installed off site to timber frame closed panels before being delivered and constructed on site.
©Matthew Nichol Photography
and University of Salford academics. Glidevale Protect supplied its refl ective wall
membranes Protect TF200 Thermo and Protect VC Foil Ultra as part of the build to deliver a low emissivity solution through the use of still airspaces, with the products providing strong aged thermal resistance to reduce energy consumption and heat loss, thereby helping to achieve a low overall U-value. The membranes were installed off site to timber frame closed panels by specialist manufacturers and designers Oregon Timber Frame Ltd before being delivered and constructed on site. Zed House is constructed using MMC to
reduce build time by half and is packed with cutting edge technology to reduce carbon emissions and substantially surpass the Future Homes Standard, being the fi rst home built by a major housebuilder to achieve this. Glidevale Protect is one of over 40 organisations involved in the project from across the housebuilding, sustainability and technology sectors. Continually monitored for energy performance, the Zed House will be lived in by University of Salford academics to better understand the customer experience of zero carbon living. “The Zed House takes a fabric-fi rst approach,
supported by a range of smart and renewable technologies, to ensure high standards of energy effi ciency in this zero carbon home,”
HBD06_Glidevale_HP
ADV.indd 1
WWW.HBDONLINE.CO.UK
Zed House is a unique carbon zero home built on the main campus of The University of Salford.
said Oliver Novakovic, Group Technical and Innovation Director at Barratt Developments PLC. He added, “Glidevale Protect is an important partner on this project, who has provided high quality refl ective membranes to enhance the wall’s thermal performance, helping to refl ect radiant heat and prevent energy loss from the timber-frame home.” For more information, please visit the
website, email
info@glidevaleprotect.com or give them a call.
0161 905 5700
www.glidevaleprotect.com
26/05/2022 13:57
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