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incorporated from the outset. When reviewing upcoming projects, decision-makers should consider modern methods of construction (MMC), which often present a viable and innovative alternative to their traditional counterparts. These methods can speed up the delivery process, with research suggesting that modular construction in particular, can reduce project timelines by as much as 50% in appropriate conditions. This, in turn, can reduce project expenditure, by lowering labour costs. Offsite manufacturing can also minimise delays, giving more control over budgets, while modular rental Funding for the project can come from OpEx, reducing pressure on CapEx, which helps avoid large upfront costs Alongside these practical
considerations, MMC and modular construction more widely can offer a high quality offering with robust sustainability credentials. In fact, modular solutions are inherently more sustainable than other construction methods. Additionally, precision manufacturing in a factory setting eliminates waste during the construction process, while having groundworks and manufacturing to take place simultaneously reducing a project’s overall timeline. The construction taking place under one roof minimises the amount of transportation needed to take materials, equipment or construction workers to and from the site, reducing carbon emissions.
Sustainability can also be embedded
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into the module’s design. Materials, such as sustainably-sourced timber, can be used in place of carbon- intensive materials used in traditional construction, for example concrete or aluminum. Features such as solar photovoltaic panels, rainwater harvesting systems and AI-powered smart sockets can also be easily integrated make the building energy bolstering the building’s sustainability credentials, implementing sustainable design features reduces operational the module’s entire lifespan. What truly sets modular apart is its adherence to the principles of the circular economy. Modules can be easily installed or removed as needed, meaning buildings can be extended or reduced to quickly respond to changing requirements. In sectors such as healthcare and education, where additional clinical space or classrooms are often needed quickly, this speed is invaluable. These critical spaces also need to be able to be utilised by staff, while construction work is underway. Modular buildings can often be installed safely on a live site, reducing pressure on the site staff. Modules can be repurposed or redeployed at the end of the project, meaning no waste is generated. This means the embodied carbon isn’t released into the atmosphere, reducing both emissions and waste, while also providing organisations with the
where they are needed most. For example, in the healthcare sector, if a Trust has one hospital which needs hospital has a module that’s not needed,
of any size require careful planning, with competing priorities putting pressure on decision-makers. Stakeholders require projects to be delivered on time and within budget, whilst also providing high quality facilities that meet the government’s sustainability targets and are adaptable to changing needs. By reviewing upcoming, planned projects and considering how modern methods of construction can be harnessed from the outset, carbon emissions can be lowered, waste can be reduced and sustainable features can be incorporated into every project. While decision-makers may think that individual projects don’t contribute towards the UK’s national decarbonisation targets, if every project incorporated greener processes and sustainable features, it would leave a
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