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Exterior view of Highfields Spencer Academy in Derby

Offsite and Modern Methods of Construction (MMC)

Solutions-driven approach

We're utilising modern methods of construction and offsite capabilities to create innovative and sustainable places to live, learn, work, care, play and protect.

There are a number of routes our customer's may take when it comes to modular and offsite construction and in some buildings it may not be the most efficient solution. But what we can do is advise and work collaboratively to ensure that the correct approach is adopted in the right circumstances, resulting in a solution that's completely bespoke to our customers needs.

Modular and offsite construction allows key elements of a building to be designed, planned and constructed using pre-fabricated or pre-assembled products, manufactured in an offsite factory environment.

Solutions might include full building systems such as volumetric, timber frame and panellised systems, to smaller building components such as pre-cast cladding and bathroom pods. What's more, modular and offsite solutions can be applied to brand-new buildings or used as part of a refurbishment or building extension.

This is how we can add value to your project:

  • Our experience: We're trusted to deliver modern construction methods across all the sectors we work in, including the education, residential, leisure and healthcare industries and from our pre-construction teams to those on site, we have the capability within our business
  • Collaboration with consultants and our supply chain: Teamwork between ourselves, our consultants and supply chain plays a significant role on our projects and has resulted in open and innovative conversations that have enabled development of the techniques used in modern methods of construction
  • Understanding your requirements: Our teams are empowered to make key decisions at every stage of the project, means everyone achieves their desired results. We don't look to take you down a route that doesn't suit your project, we look for solutions

How we're reducing carbon on our modular projects

CarboniCa is our in-house developed, digital carbon reduction tool that has enabled us to decarbonise local communities for our customers.

It is unique as it measures whole life carbon emissions, ensuring potential carbon outputs can be managed and reduced during the design, construction and entire building lifecycle. CarboniCa is embedded into our projects during the pre-construction phase and when it comes to modern methods of construction, allows us to review the options available to our customers and create a bespoke solution that results in a fantastic building that meets their carbon reduction goals.

A 50% reduction in deliveries reduced carbon significantly

Hailsham Community College Primary Academy, East Sussex

Our team used an advanced timber panelling system from our established supplier, Streif, who were local to the area for the team. Using this system reduced site deliveries by over 50% and provided a safe and watertight environment for our team to continue work, far earlier than a traditional build. As well as the miles saved associated with the timber panel system, the team also worked to reduce material deliveries where they could which resulted in an overall saving of 84,000 miles, which further contributed to carbon reduction on the project.

Read the case study

A 210-place school delivered in 9 months

Highfields Spencer Academy, Derby

Highfields Spencer Academy is a key part of the County’s plan to meet its growing population and school places challenge. So given the success our Hackwood School project the team were tasked to deliver a school again in 9 months, to avoid local children on the new-housing estate to be transported to a school further from their homes. Modular construction proved to be the best option. Their solution meant reduced traffic and footfall to site during the height of the Covid-19 lockdown as the modules were built elsewhere, meaning that groundworks and building construction could be done simultaneously, a significant productivity saving.

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Tried and tested experience

Vandyke Upper School, Leighton Buzzard

This project was built at the same time as Gilbert Upper School, which was across the road from the project and delivered by the same team. The schools were fourth and fifth projects the Northern Home Counties team has delivered using SIPS, a structural insulated panel system in two years. Not long after completion the team were appointed to deliver a further two schools in the area - Queensmead School in the North London borough of Hillingdon and Haileybury Turnford School in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire also utlising offsite methods. The team continue to work collaboratively with SIPS supplier, Innovare on most of their projects.

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30% time saving with modular construction

Hackwood Primary Academy, Derby

Hackwood Primary Academy, part of The Harmony Trust progressed from planning to handover in 37 weeks thanks to 30% of working time saved by utilising innovative modular construction methods, rather than traditional routes. With 700 new homes being built on the Hackwood Farm Estate, we supported Derby City Council to deliver a 14,000 sqft school, compiled of 42 offsite manufactured units which were constructed at Eco Modular's factory. The modules are equipped to expand easily as the area continues to grow.

Read the case study