______________________________________________________________________________________ Modular
Construction demand will not be limited to housing , with new transport , education , health , and energy infrastructure also requiring a substantial increase in capacity .
Resilience in the sector
The report is cautious about the practical challenges of MMC adoption . The collapse of modular builders like Ilke Homes and Caledonian Modular raises questions about the sector ’ s resilience , with the report acknowledging the need for more strategic coordination and clear government intervention to prevent further failures .
The underlying challenges of the housing shortage are much more complex and political than simply finding a quicker way to build . Manufacturing facilities require substantial investment of time and money to set up and need a constant throughput of work to provide a return on that investment . As we have witnessed , the stop start nature of residential construction is not conducive to keeping a factory running at capacity .
But we do not have to look further afield to see that volumetric modular construction can work . We just have to take a look at the
UK commercial sector , particularly healthcare and education , where modular technology has been successfully exploited for decades . Leading modular manufacturers within our membership strive to develop long-term strategic relationships by developing skills and specialisms in these sectors . By standardising , streamlining and automating major parts of the value chain , projects can benefit from the industrialisation of key construction tasks .
Accurate and reliable information
With volumetric modular construction all data can be validated and coordinated as part of a structured process , which helps provide accurate details at the point of handover in line with the requirements of the ‘ golden thread ’ of information .
With its powerful combination of controlled deliverables and customisable outputs , modular construction provides cost and time efficiencies together with the repeatable quality and safety - meeting the key drivers and stringent protocols demanded by the construction sector . ■
Richard Hipkiss www . mpba . biz
Richard Hipkiss is Development Director for the Modular and Portable Building Association ( MPBA ). The MPBA plays a key role in supporting all sections of the industry . Leading best practice principles , the association is represented on many committees for the benefit of members . Most importantly , the MPBA ensures evolving government policies and decisions are not made on behalf of the construction industry without due consideration for the impact they may have on the volumetric modular sector . The MPBA and members firmly believe that the benefits of manufactured buildings begin in the factory , continue to the construction site and last through the lifetime of the building .
ccemagazine . com 15