Latest innovations and products in the offsite sections of the construction industry.

OFFSITE CONSTRUCTION – INNOVATION IN PRACTICE

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Productivity, collaboration, innovation and skills are the cornerstones of the government’s most recent construction strategy, published in March this year, and still reflects the 2013 joint approach from government and industry. The Construction 2025 ambition focuses on erecting buildings that create less emissions, can be delivered quickly and cost less to build and run over their lifetime.

resorts-world-at-nec-birmingham-uk-webOne company that shares the Construction 2025 vision is voestalpine Metsec plc. Located in the heart of the industrial West Midlands, it is the first cold roll forming company to be certified BIM Level 2 for design and manufacture by the BSI – a key element of the national strategy.

BIM Level 2 improves accuracy, efficiency, and productivity, resulting in time and cost savings. Ryan Simmonds, Sales Director for Metsec Framing explains:

“BIM has really changed the way we approach building design – it’s a crucial design tool to ensure the client receives the best performance quality and value for money. With buildings becoming more complex, planning drawings simply don’t provide enough information and manufacturers must always be at the table in the early stages to get the best long-term response.”

The modern construction market is not just about BIM but also methods of construction which enable cost, waste and time savings.  Once again, Metsec is at the forefront of innovation when it comes to offsite construction methods – its first Metframe building was completed in Norfolk in 1984.

Thirty years on, Metframe is now a well-established solution to provide the load bearing structure for low to medium rise structures certified for up to 15 storeys in height, with scope for flexibility in design, making it ideal for residential, hotels, social housing or student accommodation.

Metframe structures can incorporate steel joisted or concrete floors, depending on the client’s requirements. Joisted floors offer a much lighter structure, but concrete floors generally provide a higher level of acoustic and fire protection. Pitched, dormer or flat roofs can be readily incorporated into the system as well as balconies, cantilevers and insets.

As well as flexible design, the Metframe system scores highly on cost saving when compared against timber and volumetric construction and there is no compromise on quality. Cost savings are also achieved through the speed of build that the system allows, with Metframe structures regularly taking less than two weeks per floor to construct. Coupled with the energy efficiency and zero waste offered by these buildings, it is not surprising to see so many high profile developments adopting the Metframe system.

Genting UK turned to Metframe for the construction of its £150m Resorts World development in Birmingham. Built by main contractor Galliford Try, the unique 55,000sqm leisure and entertainment complex boasts a hotel, spa, casino, 50 retail outlets, a wide range of restaurants and bars and a multi-screen IMAX cinema.

Metframe was chosen as the structural solution to enable quick and efficient construction of the top three storeys of the complex. The three-storey structure forms a 178-room, four-star boutique hotel and spa facility with five-star suites on the top floor, which caters for delegates and visitors to the 900 events that are held at the National Exhibition Centre annually as well as leisure guests visiting the West Midlands region.

As Metframe is assembled offsite to form easy-to-erect panels, the full frame could be delivered to the contractor in the required erection sequence and simply bolted together on-site.

Steve Milward, Design Manager at Galliford Try explains the benefits of using Metframe for the Resorts World project: “Due to the lightweight nature of the joisted floor solution within the Metframe system, Metsec was able to deliver a frame that fitted within the strict criteria of the supporting structure below. Also, a huge benefit for the project was the speed of installation. By using Metframe, we could easily manage the build in phases to ensure structural soundness throughout the process.”

Thomas Atkin of Atkin Trade Specialists, who installed the Metframe system, comments: “In total, the construction of all 178 units took just 16 weeks, which is highly impressive for a build this big. Metsec worked closely with us to produce a 3D design of the hotel structure for Galliford Try, which enabled us to plan the works and stick to the contractor’s construction programme.”

Richard Allen, Marketing and Business Development Director at Metsec added: “As a Black Country-based business, we are incredibly proud that we were able to supply a cost-effective and highly manageable solution for the landmark project at the NEC. Metframe is an extremely competitive solution, which delivers a high quality building. Therefore, it was the perfect choice for the construction of the new 4-star boutique hotel at the Resorts World complex.”

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LED is the Jewel in Lighting’s Crown

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By Stephen Hurrell, Managing Director, Aurora Group UK Projects

There are several misconceptions about LED lighting, principally that LED lighting prices will go down so it pays to wait; LEDs are so efficient that controls are unnecessary; and that LEDs don’t work well in high-temperature environments.

According to the Energy Savings Trust, LED offers best value for money in lighting today; the price of fittings has come down and, at the same time, performance has improved significantly.

The Carbon Trust advocates LED as its number one efficiency recommendation. LeaUnknown-2ding website www.environmentalleader.com reports that while switching to LEDs creates a one-time savings event – typically reducing lighting energy use by up to 50% – integrated sensing and controls can nearly double those energy savings, making controls essential for maximum savings and project economics.

And did you know that by using LED in construction, it significantly contributes to the BREEAM rating of a building as it typically halves energy consumption of traditional light sources. Miniaturisation has also led to a significant reduction in raw materials utilised in manufacture.

Artificial lighting in buildings is usually categorised in three ways. The ‘Ambient’ lighting function provides light to the space to an accepted level. ‘Accent’ lighting highlights certain features and/or attributes. ‘Task’ lighting illuminates specific working areas to aid visibility.

Lighting Performance

The four key criteria governing LED performance are thermal management, optical control, efficacy of light and reliability of power. So, what are the guiding principles of best practice in quality manufacturing?

Heat has a negative impact on any LED light source’s performance. The next generation in thermal management dissipates heat away from the LED chip, providing higher quality, brighter light for longer.  There’s also been continuous improvement in efficacies of LED chips so the higher the lumens per watt, the better.

Look for products warranted to L70 to a stated number of hours.  This means you can expect a light output of 70% of the lumen performance stated at that period of time e.g., a 1000 lumen LED luminaire will deliver at least 700 lumens after six years, based on burning 4000 hours per year.

An emerging trend in construction is to insulate the ceiling void by ‘blowing in’ loose fill insulation as an alternative to loose-laid products. Loose fill completely encloses the fitting which could affect LED performance in inferior downlights.

 Biodynamic lighting

Light controls our biological or body clock and this is known as the circadian rhythm. New to the market, biodynamic LED lighting allows people to control their environment according to need, mood and task, which can improve performance and motivation. Changing the colour temperature of the artificial lightsource (e.g. from extra warm to warm through to cool) can have a dramatic effect. Biodynamics is particularly suitable for dynamic interior projects, retail applications, and in healthcare and homes for the elderly.

 Regulatory compliance

Lighting design is a complex issue and part of a quality manufacturer’s role is to develop bespoke schemes which will comply with regulations. A revised version of the Building Regulations, Part L (2013), came into force in April 2014. BIM LEVEL 2 was introduced as a requirement for all government construction projects this April 2016.

Enlite’s LED value solution

The Aurora Group has responded to increased demand for LED by engineering the Enlite range of 250+ “Lighting Essentials”. Enlite offers Offsite’s varied modular business model the best in value, quality and performance to meet specifications and budgets.

Firm Enlite LED favourites in the MMC sector are the E8TM 8W integrated fire rated downlights with halogen like appearance, the ultra-slim E6060 TM 600mm2 flat panels for commercial applications, the UniPac TM and LinearPac TM IP65 linear anti-corrosives which replace traditional T8s and the vandal resistant Orbital TM IP66 bulkhead.

 

Call: +44 (0) 1727 83 66 11 or visit http://enlitelighting.com
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BIM TOP OF THE AGENDA FOR ACTAVO | BUILDING SOLUTIONS

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Jim GowanQ&A with Jim Gowan, Design Manager at Actavo | Building Solutions

 By July 2016, all construction companies tendering for government projects must be Building Information Modelling (BIM) compliant. Jim Gowan, design manager at Actavo | Building Solutions, explains what BIM is and how offsite construction is leading the way.

Actavo | Building Solutions specialises in offsite construction. How does offsite build go hand-in-hand with BIM?

BIM is absolutely the way forward because it is driving the use of offsite construction. For the first time, offsite construction is equal to traditional build. Although initial costs are comparative, the whole-life cost and efficiencies weigh in favour of offsite – the speed of build and reduced time onsite delivers tangible benefits for modular over traditional build.

At Actavo | Building Solutions, we are always looking for ways to innovate and make working environments safer and more sustainable. Actavo strives to help extend a building’s design life, exploit advances in materials and improve sustainability and energy efficiency.

Actavo | Building Solutions works in line with PAS1192, which is the framework upon which BIM is built, to ensure we meet clients’ requirements, and identify all potential pitfalls with resolutions implemented prior to construction commencing.

BIM and offsite construction go hand-in-hand with government aims to reduce costs through improved resource efficiency and advanced data management.

A tangible mechanism, BIM encourages the consideration of offsite solutions as early as possible in the project planning process. Through the integration of BIM, Actavo | Building Solutions can optimise manufacturing and reduce installation time, whilst providing clients with coordinated 3D designs, visualisations and spatial layouts.

Modular build is making the construction industry safer, as buildings are manufactured in a more controlled environment and build times are considerably shorter – just four weeks in some cases.

What is the impact of BIM in facilitating the offsite process?

Offsite manufacturing and BIM both serve as valuable solutions in terms of improving performance of the construction industry.

Modular technologies are improving the speed and quality of construction delivery. Using BIM with these technologies will mean that much larger-scale facilities can be modelled with increased accuracy, giving the confidence that projects will progress quickly as any potential issues are resolved within the 3D design environment.

Is Actavo | Building Solutions working on any BIM projects at the moment?

Actavo is now working to BIM Level 2 standards, one of our most recent being a £1.9 million classroom complex to Granard Primary School in the heart of London.

Compliant with BIM Level 2 requirements, we designed and delivered the sustainable, two-storey block comprising eight classrooms, an open learning studio which acts as a breakfast and after-school care facility, cloakrooms, WCs, kitchen facilities and staffrooms.

Actavo began onsite works at Granard in January 2015, with the standalone complex handed over in August 2015, meaning the project – from initial design to full completion – took just 22 weeks.

What advantages does BIM allow your clients?

Since implementing BIM Level 2 into Actavo | Building Solutions, we have enhanced our customer experience. Providing 3D visualisations and interactive walkthroughs allows clients to fully explore all aspects of their building and its interface before any fabrication or erection works commence. Using BIM technologies provides more accurate project pricing and allows clients to see a more precise building timeline.

All our design chain feeds into a single coordinated model so that when adaptations happen, all our design team is fully aware, providing a reactive solution and ensuring that the design progresses on clients’ agreed paths.

By using BIM, we can also reduce the need for regathering and reformatting information which results in an increase in speed and accuracy even before the building begins to take shape onsite.

How is BIM implemented within Actavo | Building Solutions?

Actavo | Building Solutions has implemented and been working to BIM Level 2 standards since July 2015.

We are able to provide BIM Level 2-compliant designs, resulting in a high-quality building that has been engineered and designed to require minimal site works. With the majority of work being completed in a factory-controlled environment, the benefits of pre-construction clash detection and design interface detailing allow us to detect and resolve potential issues prior to manufacture commencing.

We’re always striving to develop our BIM practices and procedures and have our sights set on attaining BIM Level 3 designs which allows all parties to collaborate through one shared project model. Level 4 is more sophisticated, as it includes time modelling.  There is also talk of further levels such as ‘5D’, which includes cost management and ‘6D’ for facilities management purposes.

Actavo | Building Solutions consistently undertakes internal training to ensure all staff are up-to-date with the most recent developments. We look forward to evolving our BIM procedures and will integrate into BIM Level 3 and 4D planning in the near future.

How can the offsite construction industry benefit from BIM?

 Modular construction has grown in popularity over the past decade. The implementation of BIM in the construction industry will help contribute to the acceptance of offsite manufacturing as a modern method of construction.

Using BIM to facilitate better solutions for building by reducing costs, optimising schedules, generating models and improving design will provide fundamental support for the offsite construction industry.

For more information on Actavo please go to http://www.actavo.com/
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SPI’s Expanded polystyrene passive house foundation solutions

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SPI are one of the leading manufacturers of expanded polystyrene in the UK, supplying an extensive range of building and civil engineering products. With state of the art moulding and cutting machinery SPI can offer a wide range of grades and bespoke products to suit all types of projects.

As an insulation supplier SPI have seen trends in correlation with the increasingly demanding building regulations of part L conservation of fuel and power. Even after the scrapping of the 2016 zero carbonpolicy there is still a requirement to meet the 80% reduction in carbon emissions by 2050 under the Climate Change Act. There has been a call for innovative solutions when it comes to insulating the UK housing stock, the development of building systems which produce lower target U-Values has allowed for off-site construction to bloom, with a growth of products like SIPs, ICF walls and modular floors.

Recently this has lead to an increase in passive house foundation construction largely developed as offsite modular concepts, which allows for less installation time on site meaning the structure above can be installed earlier. Typically the foundations and structure can be completed within a week for a 4 to 5 bedroom house. Passive house foundations consist of a basic L shaped perimeter with standard boards up to three layers thick. Specialist clips are used to hold the whole foundation system together. The complete foundation base is then covered with a DPM and the structural concrete can then be poured.

Once the concrete is cured the superstructure can begin. Most commonly we have seen these foundations used with SIPs and lightweight timber frameworks. As an insulation provider the off-site development means we can cut bespoke products required by the layout of the build quickly and easily, making the whole process from conception to completion exceptionally fast.

These types of building elements and forward thinking innovations offer a certainty that builds can easily exceed regulations which when coupled with the environmental sustainability expressions of modern future proof housing make the prospects of a carbon neutral 2050 attainable.

For more information please visit www.styrene.biz.
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WDH – Awake to the benefits of building offsite

Building infrastructure in the UK is under review once again – the recently created National Infrastructure Commission is due to deliver its first report shortly – and better insulation of homes is one of the areas it could address as a part of its wider remit.

Here Mike Stevenson Development Director of offsite fenestration specialist Sidey tells us about their work with WDH in Wakefield through its in-house construction team, Homebuilder, which has already delivered greater thermal efficiency for its residents on a new-build site in the town as just one of the realisable benefits of building offsite.

For WDH there was a desire to deliver truly energy efficient social housing in its most traditional sense – not just properties for rent but genuine social housing delivered for long term residents. Homes with a true social value.

Commenting for WDH, Homebuilder manager Adam Green explained “As one of very few housing associations delivering new properties we are developing homes to be proud of, at a reduced cost with a build quality that is more thermally efficient and will help tenants avoid fuel poverty.”

The 39 dwellings built at Ripley Court are in fact a case study of how to access all the benefits that can be achieved through building offsite.

Mike takes up the story “It was clear that WDH had a real understanding of the value to their residents of building to a high specification and that they understood how building offsite could deliver this for them cost effectively and in line with their time-scales.

“Our involvement with the scheme at Ripley Court came out of long term discussions we had been having with the Homebuilder team about the many benefits to be had from installing high specification windows in the factories of offsite manufacturers with the time and costs savings and the efficiencies in process which installing windows this way would bring.

“Through those ongoing discussions it became obvious that through collaboration with the right supply chain using innovative low risk solutions WDH Homebuilder and Sidey had real synergy and could deliver win:win results. We are both big on collaboration as the driver to maximise technical and supply chain efficiency, so after having completed a more traditional site together we were delighted to get involved with a true offsite scheme.

“WDH’s culture being what it is, they brought other supply chain partners to the table with the same outlook and approach. It transpired that several of these companies had worked together on other schemes for other clients. These companies included the foundation system, structural timber frame manufacturer and the air tightness specialist along with Sidey.

“The absolute key to successfully realising the benefits of building offsite is for partners in the supply chain to have design team involvement and WDH drove this, actively encouraging it from the outset with all parties working with both their in-house design team and external architectural partner.

“The scheme really benefitted from the discussions between ourselves, the architects, the timber frame manufacturer, and the air-tightness solutions supplier. It meant we could design and deliver the optimal specification to WDH without compromise. It was a true offsite development rather than having to convert a previously designed ‘traditional build’ scheme to offsite construction.

“WDH adopted the innovations we suggested, following thorough due diligence, to help realise the overall benefits. This included using our patented KitFix ® bracketing system – which enables windows to be fixed into the apertures of the timber frame panels at the offsite manufacturers premises. The windows are ‘contained’ within the panels in a transport position enabling the panels to be stacked, banded, and transported to site as normal.

“The structures were wind and watertight immediately the panels were erected allowing follow-on trades to commence earlier while the windows being delivered in the panels meant there was reduced overall site traffic, reduced site attendance and reduced Health and Safety risk by removing the traditional impact of site delivery and manual handling of windows.

“Ripley Court is an ‘exemplar’ of what can be achieved when the client/developer drives a collaborative agenda. Others should look to this scheme as the benchmark for how to deliver outstanding technical performance and thermal efficiency coupled with financial and delivery predictability.

“WDH is clearly awake to the benefits of building offsite – others should follow their lead.”

Mike Stevenson is Development Director of offsite fenestration specialists. For more information please visit www.sidey.co.uk.
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Offsite construction: flying factories

Polarwall have recently launched a new Offsite Construction system utilising the concept of Flying Factories.

Large panels (2.5m x up to 3m high) of the Polarwall Insulating Concrete Formwork are assembled either offsite or in a temporary assembly facility which can be allocated near to or at the site.

If there is a crane on site then the panels can be “gang formed” together in lengths of up to 12.5 metres and lifted into location.

Reinforcement can be incorporated into the panel assembly making it ideal for basement construction and retaining walls.

A new internal walling system from Polarwall is also being used. This uses cement fibreboard panels as permanent shuttering and will create a wall which is virtually finished.

A new site has opened in Slough where this revolutionary build method will be showcased to any interested parties.

As part of the Flying Factory concept this project will have its own concrete batching facility on site for filling the assembled Polarwall formwork and for the floors.

The Slough project has 80 apartments, retail space and underground car parking. The contractor M2 Construction is aiming for a fast build construction with a target time of 2 weeks for each floor.

Contractor Andrew Skinner says that “Using the large panels is a very exciting development for us. We have used the Polarwall formwork almost exclusively for the last three years. It is already a very impressive construction material and provides structures that comfortably exceed all Building Regs requirements both in terms of thermal performances and structural strength. Now, by using the large panel assembly we have moved this up a gear and the build speeds are becoming incredibly quick.”

Polarwall Technical Director Alan Wheeler said “The pre-assembled panels are now getting lots of attention from larger contractors who are primarily interested in two things – the use of less-skilled labour in the build and also the high build speeds that can be achieved. The panel system lends itself to larger projects such as light commercial, schools, apartment blocks and multi-unit developments. One contractor is particularly interested in using our products in association with timber frame where we would provide the high strength structure in the lower stories and timber frame would be used on the upper stories.”

The site will be having open days for interested parties who should in the first instance contact Polarwall (01392 823300 www.polarwall.co.uk) to arrange.

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Triple timber solution to sustainability

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Technical Editor Bruce Meechan looks at the range of very low carbon solutions available from a major timber frame manufacturer based on the Shropshire – Mid Wales border.

As an offsite manufacturer working across a variety of sectors including commercial, residential and education, Lowfield Timber Frame is well used to being presented with different technical challenges; and to meeting them through the use of different solutions that reflect the versatility of what is arguably nature’s most versatile material.

In essence, Lowfield has in recent years, responded to the demands of both clients and architects for PassivHaus and Near-to-Zero carbon buildings employing twin-wall timber frame, structural insulated panels (SIPs) and now a closed panel system based on timber I-joists.

Darren Jarman, Managing Director for Lowfield Timber Frame, told MMC Magazine: “We have an extensive product range that enables us to respond to clients targeting PassivHaus standard or other very low energy solutions; and we will work with their architects and assessors or other specialist consultants in order to ensure all the details – such as the floor wall junction or foundation connection, achieve the required levels of insulation.

“Some ten years ago we supplied a twin-wall timber frame system for the principal of Munro Associates who was building a new home up in Pitlochry, Scotland. That achieved the level of U-value necessary for PassivHaus – by filling with Warmcel recycled newspaper insulation; and now we are working with PYC Warmcel on a solution featuring 300 mm thick I-joists supplied by Metsa Wood for a social housing scheme featuring low rise homes. We have also built to PassivHaus standards using the Kingspan TEK system; so our product range can really cover all the bases and offer clients solutions to suit their individual needs.”

The architect, Mungo Munro commented: “We do a lot of work for housing associations as well as clients in other sectors, though this was a self-build where Lowfield produced a timber frame to my own design. I went for a double timber frame as it virtually eliminates any cold-bridging and achieved a U-value far better than the Building Standards required.”

Amongst the other highly sustainable projects Lowfield Timber Frame has helped deliver recently is the Telford Town Park Visitor Centre, offering bicycle hire and a café as well as classroom space. The original intention was to build the walls from straw bales, but the cost would have pushed up the budget so the specification switched to the Kingspan TEK system.

The jointing arrangement for the SIPs system helped keep the air leakage rate to around 1 m3/m2/hr at 50 Pascals. The addition of a high performance vapour control layer as part of the building envelope meant the overall airtightness figure for the finished structure outperformed the PassivHaus requirement at 0.58 m3/m2/hr. In terms of insulation value, combined with Kingspan Thermawall TW55 boards, the U-value for the Tek walls was 0.14 W/m2K.

Lowfield also contributed to the conversion of an eyesore, asbestos-clad packing shed into a stunning studio on the outskirts of Leamington Spa; which earned the architect, Sjolander de Cruz, the RIBA Sustainable Project of the Year Award.

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G-frame engineered timber and hybrid structures

G-frame Structures specialises in the design, supply and installation of engineered timber and hybrid structures. A designer of bespoke solutions, G-frame Structures offers a direct route to a complete hybrid package working with a palette that includes Cross Laminated Timber, Glulam, Laminated Veneered Lumber. We are also able to meet your other structural solutions using more standard construction materials through our sister company Murform Ltd.

Involve us early in the design stages and we’ll help you to make savings from the outset and deliver your project ahead of programme with safety first and inside budget. We can also advise and help you to interface with a range of other systems, we are able to design and install timber cladding panels and insulated render as part of our water proof envelope package.

Known by our partners and clients for our hands-on approach to problem solving and fast, efficient delivery, the G-frame team brings a high degree of multi-disciplinary expertise and a commitment to building lasting relationships which leads to repeat business. We provide solutions across the range of building types including social and private residential, education, public access and workspace. Recent projects include the new Moneypenny HQ in Wrexham by AEW Architects, 150 London Road by Stephen Davy Peter Smith Architects and Graveney School 6th Form Block by Urban Projects Bureau which has recently won two awards at the 2016 RIBA London Awards.

All wood products are PEFC or FSC certified.

For more information please email Joe Hall at j.hall@g-frame.co.uk, call us on 01525 288022 or visit www.g-frame.co.uk.

G-frame Structures will be at VISION 2016 at Earl’s Court on 7 & 8 June – come and see us on Stand Number 105
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World-class sixth form centre built using offsite construction methods

The Sunday Times’ International Baccalaureate school of 2014 has been working with offsite construction specialists, Actavo | Building Solutions, to create a sixth form study centre to meet the school’s need for a world-class facility.

Tonbridge Grammar School in Deakin Leas, Tonbridge, gained access to its modular building after just 26 weeks onsite, to meet the demand for pupil places quickly and efficiently.

Designed to inspire and motivate pupils, Actavo created the ‘IBarn’ – a brand-new, two-storey, sixth form hub created to improve pupil facilities and respond to rapid student growth. The ground floor of the new sixth form includes a café, collaborative learning areas and changing rooms while the first floor comprises an ICT suite alongside two large spaces that can be used as classrooms, independent study, seminar areas or opened up for lectures and presentations.

The IBarn also frees vital space in the existing sixth form accommodation to enhance student development.

Matthew Goff, UK operations director at Actavo | Building Solutions, said: “Perhaps the popularity offsite construction has in the education sector is due to its speed, versatility and cost-effective nature.

“The competitive funding mechanisms and demand for school places at Tonbridge Grammar School meant tight deadlines enhancing the school’s need for speed.”

As part of the tender process, Actavo | Building Solutions developed a 3D animation to enable the school to visualise how the new facility would look once complete.

“As one of the UK’s top performing international baccalaureate schools, it was imperative we had a sixth form study centre that met the needs of the internationally minded curriculum. Actavo has helped us achieve this with the creation of the ‘IBarn’,” says Rosemary Joyce, Tonbridge Grammar School’s Head Teacher.

“Actavo has provided us with a sixth form facility that has the perfect balance between form and function. The contemporary feel of the ‘IBarn’, careful use of glass provides both students and teaching staff with an open, spacious and well ventilated space which supports the focus on collaborative, independent and reflective learning that is a feature of our school.

“The study centre also provides the ideal learning space for those preparing for university and enabled refurbishment of the vacated classrooms, facilitating more flexible space for our talented musicians.

“As well as being architecturally attractive, our new modular facility is an aspirational space to both work and study. Proving the cost-effective and speedy solutions offsite construction offers in no way takes away from the quality of the final building,” says Rosemary.

To view our exclusive walk-through and video testimonial from Tonbridge Grammar’s head teacher, Rosemary Joyce, please click here.
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The UK panelised modular building systems market grows by 10% in 2015

The UK market for panelised modular building systems is estimated to have grown by 10% in 2015. Since the recent market low of 2012, demand for offsite building systems has increased strongly, underpinned by the improved economic situation and increased levels of activity in the housebuilding, hotel, student accommodation and education sectors. This recovery followed a downturn between 2008-12 due a decline in the housing market, cuts in public sector budgets and the completion of major MoD projects.

AMA Research’s definition of this market consists of pre-fabricated, 2-dimensional frames or panels in systems for constructing walls, partitions, roofs and floors, typically supplied to site as systems in flat-pack format. However, some systems, particularly light steel frame, are supplied to site in ‘stick’ form and/or direct to manufacturers of volumetric building systems. The main product type is timber frame, which is competing with light gauge steel, precast concrete and other engineered wood-based panels, with the latter group including structural insulated panels and cross laminated timber systems. While timber frame is currently the most widely used type of offsite systems in housing, it is expected to face competition from cross laminated timber over the next few years.

Key end use sectors for panelised modular building systems are housing, apartment blocks, schools, budget hotels, smaller healthcare and care facilities, and purpose built student accommodation. With the exception of the MoD, where many projects are now complete, most of the key end use sectors for panelised modular building systems look set for growth over the next few years and a number of housing developers and housing associations have declared their intentions to increase usage of offsite systems.

“Difficult market conditions in recent years had led to all sectors of the panelised building systems industry suffering a number of business failures, leading to a reduction in production capacities, and market supply has become much more polarised, in particular in the timber frame sector” said Keith Taylor, Director of AMA Research. “However, the market has improved since 2012 and further sustained recovery is expected until 2020, driven by improvements in key end use sectors such as housing – including self build, which is significant in this market”.
Growth over the next few years should also be enhanced by the mandatory use of Building Information Modelling on public sector projects from 2016. BIM will streamline building design, procurement and construction which should favour the use of offsite building. The drive towards sustainable development, coupled with the need to meet energy efficiency and carbon reduction targets, would also seem to weigh in favour of offsite construction.

In addition, some of the key drivers for offsite construction are coming back into focus, with recent announcements of a number of larger scale, repetitive construction programmes, in sectors such as university accommodation, social housing, affordable private sector housing and budget hotels.

The ‘Panelised Modular Building Systems Market Report – UK 2016-2020 Analysis’ report is published by AMA Research, a leading provider of market research and consultancy services with over 25 years’ experience within the construction and home improvement markets.

The report is available now and can be ordered online at www.amaresearch.co.uk or by calling 01242 235724.
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