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ease of installation, and sustainability credentials. Unfortunately for offsite companies, holistic whole-house builds are still predominantly constructed using traditional methods, suggesting that MMC hasn’t quite become the silver bullet it was intended to be. MMC vs tradition UK architects and the public continue to have a strong emotional connection to traditional aesthetics and heritage, which also creates a barrier for modular construction. Unlike Europe, where modern designs are more readily accepted, the UK maintains a nostalgia that MMC hasn’t quite found the sweet spot for. Brick slips are an example of modern
methods adopting traditional aesthetics and supporting the industry with sustainability goals. Though not often adopted as an offsite solution, the automation of brick placement on panels produced in factories helps with any labour shortages or onsite timelines. Machine application of spray render facades. Caparol has worked with a German housing provider that uses 2D timber frame panels sprayed with its offering, they’ve managed to crack the
code on modular pod-like construction without the need for expansive warehouse storage, which helps to keep costs down. The panelised approach for these modern-look build-your-own houses is well-received, with the quick construction time appreciated by homeowners. However, the commercial and high-
rise sector is more conservative with offsite EWI uptake. The aesthetic issue of visible movement joints in panelised for architects and clients, who prefer the seamless look only achieved through onsite application. We typically provide offsite solutions on a case-by-case basis where projects are faced with to use.
One successful example of offsite
brick slip panels is the Cluny Mews project in West London, which had a very tight footprint with the site squeezed between a railway line, and large advertising boards. Restrictions necessitated a thinner wall build-up and the creation of offsite panels for a large elevation, overcoming onsite space and storage challenges
and providing the much-loved traditional brick affect. Overcoming aesthetic preferences, especially in the UK’s conservative market, is key to wider adoption of offsite methods for facades. The European market views panelised EWI as a faster, cheaper, safer, and more change in perception we need to see here in the UK. MMC has the potential to revolutionise the way we construct buildings. providing faster construction, improved quality from controlled factory settings, and safer onsite working environments. Tackling perceptions and traditional
preferences is the main hurdle to address. If we want modular solutions to remain on the market, we need to take a collaborative approach, where modular manufacturers and suppliers can work closely with onsite teams, to mitigate the challenges. MMC offers a bright future for the industry, but we all need to play our part and work together to achieve this.
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