// EXTERNAL SOLUTIONS
Why the rise of MMC doesn’t mean the decline of brick
Martin Smithurst, product development and technical support manager at Forterra, explores how new product innovations can meet current project requirements while keeping known and loved traditional brick finishes.
T
he construction industry must find new ways to build in the current economic and political climate. Those involved in
designing future buildings need to balance compliance with building regulations, the project’s sustainability, accessibility and safety requirements, the wants and needs of the client, and budgets, all while adhering to the design codes mandated at planning.
Rising costs mean that project teams are looking for different, more efficient ways to build to keep on top of tight budgets and timescales, without compromising on quality and performance, and they are turning to MMC solutions to help with this.
Across the industry, we are seeing a rise in modular construction, which incorporates
panelised and volumetric construction. This is thanks to the Government’s push on new housing as well as major investments in new build, refurbishment and capital projects.
The continued rise of panelised construction
According to Barbour ABI, the UK panelised modular buildings market was valued at £1.26bn in 2024. Timber frame makes up the majority with approximately 70% of market share, but light gauge steel frame and hybrid modular solutions, such as CLT and precast concrete, are becoming increasingly
popular.
Panelised construction addresses all the components designers are juggling. It also offers the very practical benefit that the construction of the building is less reliant on the British weather than more traditional methods, helping to significantly reduce build time.
From a sustainability perspective, the precision- engineering and quality control carried out in a controlled factory environment deliver
a consistent output. This, combined with the reduction of errors on site, ultimately means less wastage.
Building products and sustainability
The overall sustainability credentials of a project are increasingly impacting the choices made at the design stage. The products that are specified will make up a significant proportion of a project’s Scope 3 emissions, so designers need to find dynamic products that meet planning constraints and work on a practical level, while also helping them to meet sustainability targets. When you consider the sheer volume of product that is used on some buildings, this becomes even more of a challenge.
Modern masonry
Some of the reluctance to embrace MMC is linked to our country’s love of masonry construction, but opting to use panelised construction doesn’t mean that a genuine brick finish can’t be achieved.
Brick slip systems offer the benefits of traditional clay bricks, including long-term durability and simpler, lower-cost maintenance. However, as a lightweight system, brick slips lessen the load on the building’s structure, which in turn reduces the
8
Spring 2026 M39
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
