As many people are spending more time at home and the office is being called into question, how is technology being used and adapted in residential real estate and where do we go from here, panellists at a PlaceTech event asked.

PlaceTech: Residential, was hosted by Place North Wests sister publication PlaceTech and sponsored by Node, Bruntwood Works, Mills & Reeve and Mallcomm. This was the latest event under our new conference format, using a platform called Remo that enables networking on digital tables, as well as many other interactive features.

Ticketholders receive a copy of the video recording of the event. To buy access to the video for 25+VAT, email events@placenorthwest.co.uk

Key questions

Main takeaways

Panel one

Martin Prince-Parrott, design manager, Cordia Blackswan

Samantha Rowland, director, senior living, Savills

Dan Pollard, chief manufacturing officer, Ideal Modular Homes

Judith Sykes, senior director, Expedition Engineering

In August, Liverpool-based Ideal Modular Homes landed a 300m contract with the Royal Borough of Greenwich proof that off-site construction in the residential sector is now accepted? Ideals Dan Pollard said: We certainly hope so the methods we use and the speed we can deliver at are proven, the industrys progressed massively in the last 15 years, and is fully accredited with the insurance and mortgage industries.

We have both wired and wireless systems, depending on the spec; as an industry weve adapted swiftly to regulatory changes.

Shortages in materials and labour in traditional building have been accentuated by Covid, but with the standardised, sustainable supply chains we have weve not been affected as badly we have a fully functional factory, and supply of materials hasnt dried up.

Another prominent topic during Covid has been the rise in active travel, but are developers looking to factor this in? Judith Sykes said there are forward-thinking developers who try and see things holistically but that theres a long way to go: the majority of housing coming forward nationally is barely above building regulations, although the Future Homes Standard will help.

Sykes said that evidence is emerging of renewed rural desirability: Were now seeing rural communities many thought of as unsustainable come to the fore, but how do you build home-working into that? How do you make it connected and affordable, with the infrastructure necessary to link into larger conurbations?

Weve been looking at this for two years and are now being inundated as people see the value of the model. No one wants to commute all the time, or be in their home all the time, so third spaces are key too.

The reshaping of town centres is also topical. How do we re-zone urban centres to make them sustainable?

For developer Martin Prince-Parrott, the appeal of modular is in clarity of cost and timeframe. He agreed that leaving the city is a theme:

The biggest swing in interest right now is from urban core to suburban lower density. City living has been at the top of the agenda for a long time because of efficiencies, but take away socialising, restaurants, communities, what are you left with? Not enough, for too many people. They default to a human desire for space, the opportunity to exercise, and to be around a community thats around more often

How do you make it work? Design around people the companies that excel, from Apple to Zoom, have fulfilled a need people have and moved quickly.

Co-living might grow, its a market created by often-poor HMO provision. The cost of renting a one-bed flat is prohibitive for some young people living and working in one room isnt ideal, so co-living can offer balance and community, the chance to be around people of your own age.

Repurposing retail is tough because with larger floorplates light doesnt reach the centre.

Provision of care and senior living space is much talked about, and Samantha Rowland confirmed there is a distinct lack of supply.

Affordability is also an issue. She said: The mid-market is something everyones focusing on more now, getting more mixed tenures: rent, shared ownership, outright sale. Give people choice at its core, this is about realising this generation is living independently for longer but also offering benefits of being part of an organised living community.

Rowland added: I can see reworked shopping centres working: senior people want to be close to shops and cafes, they like to get out and enjoy retirement some operators already starting to snap up retail facilities to redevelop for senior living.

Panel Two

Lucy Sharp, head of corporate PR, Moda Living

Victoria Davies, principal associate, Mills & Reeve

Henry Pethybridge, director, WiredScore Home

James Owusu, founder, CubicLease

Lucy Sharp, presenting, said:

Moda is a 2013-founded build to rent specialist, looking to establish next-generation neighbourhoods Angel Gardens in Manchester opened last year and the Lexington in Liverpool opens next year.

Tech plays a fundamental role in the day-to-day life of our residents, which started with our My Moda app, which allows people to manage what they need: concierge, rent payment, potential upgrades, reservations. During lockdown it kept people our residents and more connected, at one point we were screening events to 33,000 people: balcony workouts ,wine-tasting, cooking classes.

Were now partnering with Utopi. We can improve user experience hugely, the wellness of the building gives the best living experience, and measuring temperature, humidity, windspeed, CO2, all plays into that.

Modas partners help the developer use tech to improve the residents experience

Have people and places with greater tech felt the benefit during Covid? And how can tech be part of things in a future that looks less certain?

Henry Pethybridge said: Covid has accelerated digital transformation and things are changing faster: were seeing a doubling down on futureproofing digital infrastructure to cope with buildings for five to 10 years. One challenge for residential developers is adapting layouts to support home working better.

A better definition of smart buildings is needed, and weve created a smart council, with 40 key players: it will work by focusing on user outcomes and build back to what tech empowers. We see four key areas: providing inspirational user experience, cost-effectiveness, performing well on sustainability, and being future-proof.

Pervasive wifi is now essential in development: three years ago, people only expected it within apartments, so it wasnt factored in, but people have so many devices now and expect seamless service. Its not easy to retrofit for, so important to factor into current projects. Another factor is tall buildings: phone masts are only ten storeys tall, so people at the top of tall buildings absolutely need wifi.

Sharp said: Its really important to build tech in as much as you can at the blueprint stage, Utopi have worked with us to design buildings with sustainability in mind, driving operational costs down, possibly by 3m to 4m across a development.

We use aggregated anonymised data, protecting privacy, to show levels of use of facilities, and promote things accordingly, or over time dedicate more space to in-demand things, such as co-working space. The app keeps people up to date on workspace available, whats being cleaned following use being safe in that knowledge that youre using a workspace thats just been cleaned feels groundbreaking right now.

Its about using data to work out the best way to change how a building works in future.

James Owusu said: One of the things tech should enable is the speed people can move in, integrating different parts of the viewing and administrative processes. It needs secure information flow, and we provide that.

Weve talked about hotelisation and things are heading that way for parts of the market. One area of interest is people coming in to work in different countries on short-term visas, and making that process as easy in easy out as possible.

Smart tech shouldnt drive up prices the key benefit is driving down operational costs, and a good developer should be able to fix problems without upping costs.

Victoria Davies said that expectations are high at the top end: Clients spending millions on a house expect everything to work straight away.

There are more people leaving cities, now with a clearer idea of what they want: a home that will support two people home-working, but also home-schooling, it needs to have the data infrastructure, and also access to green space. The priority had been to be near transport links, but people are prepared to be further out now.

With that in mind, tools like digital walkthroughs are hugely important the VR experience will become the norm.

See the article here:
Residential sector expands offer to fit shifting demands - Place North West

Liverpool City Region has launched a programme that could make it a national centre of excellence for modern methods of construction for housing and related infrastructure.

The programme will develop cutting edge technology to retrofit existing homes and build new homes with new, state-of-the-art, methods of construction.

It is being developed in a collaboration between the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), the Construction Innovation Hub, Peel Land and Property, Torus Group, Housing Associations, and industry partners.

The programme will aim to retrofit 10,000 homes over the next 10 years, bringing them up to at least the EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) C rating for energy efficiency, as part of a post-COVID recovery stimulus package, while developing and upskilling the workforce by applying new methods and systems of refurbishments and construction.

Under the new build element of the programme, the MTC and LCR stakeholders have aggregated an initial pipeline of more than 6,500 homes to be built over 10 years.

At the same time, it will support the development and success of the modular, digitised manufacturing sector in the LCR, increasing productivity, ensuring a strong supply of employment opportunities across the supply chain, and supported by an apprenticeship programme.

Todays announcement marks the beginning of the first phase of the LCR National Centre of Excellence in Modern Methods of Construction for Homes project, one of the key projects in the city regions 9bn Building Back Better economic recovery plan, launched in August.

The programme will focus on an initial pilot using a sample of Torus properties, which will provide insight and intelligence to inform a larger programme. Torus is a social purpose regeneration and housing group, the largest in the North West, where all profits are reinvested to build stronger communities.

Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor, Steve Rotheram, said: Even in difficult times, our region is constantly looking for better ways of doing things.

The Modern Methods of Construction project has the potential to be an industry leader in new and innovative ways of getting houses built and, I hope, help to tackle the UKs housing crisis.

This also has the potential to radically improve energy efficiency across the region through a comprehensive retrofitting scheme, which should not only address energy poverty in some of our poorest communities, but help us save the planet, too.

Whilst we fight for existing jobs, especially in the hospitality sector, it is vital that we focus on pushing forwards in developing new sectors and skills that will bring us thousands of new jobs post-COVID-19.

He added: The past few months have been exceptionally difficult, but I am determined that our region will Build Back Better from them. Ill be doing all I can to make our region greener, fairer and more resilient than before.

The Modern Methods of Construction programme will develop specialist technologies which aim to achieve significant reductions on initial and life cycle costs, halve delivery times, and realise the following benefits:

Carbon Reductions the work will contribute to reducing carbon emissions in all those properties retrofitted, providing a first stage to retrofit for the remaining homes not reaching the standard in the city region in line with carbon targets.

Reduction in Fuel Poverty many of the homes targeted will contain households who are in fuel poverty and the work will reduce energy bills. The Liverpool City Region has a high incidence of fuel poverty compared with the national average (14% in LCR above the national average of 10%).

Health Benefits linked to the reduction in fuel poverty, residents will also be able to adequately heat their homes leading to a reduction in poor health impacts, especially those with existing health conditions such as asthma, COPD and other respiratory illnesses.

Shared and Assisted Living there is currently a lack of diversified housing stock to meet the needs of younger generations, the ageing population and social minority groups. Affordable housing alone cannot fulfil this need. Modular housing allows for the creation of contemporary shared living models. This can offer a solution to the challenges facing society such as unaffordable rent, loneliness and isolation, and the mobility requirements of an ageing population.

Increased Skills & Employment the work will provide new and increased jobs in many trade skills with a wide range of levels of learning opportunities. Housing retrofit is one of the best generators of jobs for expenditure with an estimated 30 jobs per 1.3m spend. For every 1m spend there will be at least one new apprenticeship created as part of the contracts as well as other learning opportunities at schools, colleges and local SMEs.

Process Innovation in partnership with the MTC, and in line with an ambition to become the National Centre of Excellence of Modern Methods of Construction, the programme will be deployed using cutting-edge methodologies, reducing unitary costs and increasing quality, while developing new trade skills for the supply base.

Innovation several companies in the city region and the North West have already created new technologies such as infrared radiators which can be tested at scale in real life situations to demonstrate their effectiveness for more widespread usage. Further innovations will be developed and tested with the MTC partnership to further reduce costs and innovate in retrofit housing. Industrial and academic partners will also be involved in ensuring innovation is incorporated into the programme and its delivery.

Read more from the original source:
Region aims to pioneer modern methods of construction to boost economic recovery - The Business Desk

So says the man heading the redevelopment of Wigan Piers famous buildings, although in this instance Harinder Dhaliwal is talking about the new homes that have sprung up alongside them.

The ready-made modules arrived shrink-wrapped on the backs of lorries from a factory in Derbyshire over the August bank holiday weekend and were lowered and stacked by crane to overlook the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, causing quite a stir in the process.

Since then, workmen have been putting the finishing touches to the eight town houses who should be welcome residents within weeks.

So what is so special about these waterside dwellings that makes them worth their 270k to 285k asking prices?

Well the two main things are that they come virtually ready to live in, bar bringing your own furniture and other possessions, and they have all manner of mod cons and eco-friendly features in the quest for comfortable and carbon-neutral 21st century living.

And there has been no shortage of interest in the properties, says Mr Dhaliwal, the MD of Manchester-based Step Places, as he gives us a tour of the show home. While there are a few finishing touches to be put to the overall site, three have already been snaffled up and there have been people of all ages and backgrounds showing an interest in the in the remainder.

He added: As a place-making business we are always looking to future-proof our homes.

We dont cut corners and all kinds of features here come as standard that would not be in the price of a national house-builders home.

One feature is an air source heat pump: a low energy heating system which extracts warmth from the air and is seen as the future of domestic heating, especially as gas will be abolished in all new homes (apart from for use in cookers) by 2023.

The sound-proofing (and heat-proofing for that matter) is remarkable. The front of the homes is but a few yards from Wallgate and at the time of the tour, heavy traffic was swooshing past in heavy rain. Yet when the door was properly closed, not a sound from outside could be heard. All flooring and tiling is already in place for the new residents - in fact they were in place before arriving in Wigan!

There is decking at the rear looking out onto the canal. It is made from recycled plastic so is extremely low maintenance and each of the three-storey buildings has a roof terrace on the top floor.

The homes are fitted with alarms while security lighting and an outdoor plug for a computer or heater are also handy extras.

The master bedroom with en suite is on the top floor, a second bedroom, also with en suite on the middle storey along with a third room that could either be used as an office or a third bedroom and off from the ground floor kitchen is a room which can double as a downstairs toilet and utility room.

Mr Dhaliwal said: The term of the moment is MMC: modern methods of construction and this is exactly what these modular homes are.

They are the future of house-building in many ways. Everything is done to a high specification and there are all manner of features that would in the past not have come as standard.

By doing so much of the work in the factory - including flooring, tiles, windows and doors - you are able to maintain a consistent standard of excellence which building regulators expect of developers these days. And it can also save time. On rain-drenched days like this one you would not be able to have a bricklayer on site, but this way, all that comes ready done on the back of a 38-tonnne lorry.

It is also virtually maintenance-free.

Mr Dhaliwal said there were still a few matters to attend to including some landscaping and the creation of an allotment on the land between the final home and Seven Stars Bridge, but otherwise the project had been completed in a matter of six months, the first part of it having involved laying the services and foundations.

He added: We are very proud of this project. There is nothing else like it anywhere else in Greater Manchester, never mind Wigan, so far as I know. And we want people to move into something that is more than just a place but a home.

And so what of the trio of Pier buildings that Step Places have also been working on?

The homes were meant to be the final part of the sites jigsaw but are now set to be the first to be completed.

Well, work has slowed on the attractions refurbishment due to the Covid-19 pandemic - and has also taken longer than expected because of all kinds of quirks and faults being gradually uncovered in the venerable buildings - but it hasnt stopped.

Externally Mr Dhaliwal says that there are more railings to renovate, several doors to install and the section between what used to be The Orwell and The Way We Were (Now Piers No3 and No4) tidied up and landscaped.

The last of these will be left until last because so many heavy vehicles have been driving all over it throughout the work.

Once that is complete Step Places can concentrate on the inside. A huge amount of rotten timber work has already been replaced although there is a keenness to keep as many features from the buildings industrial and touristy pasts in place as possible when they are used as a food hall, micro brewery and events venue.

The next step is to install the M&E - mechanical and electrical features - including plumbing, power and ventilation.

Mr Dhaliwal said he reckoned that that would take four to five months to complete, after which a future-proofed shell will be handed over to The Old Courts and businesses to fit out.

His best guess at an opening date for the public was next June.

He said: This is a very special project and we want to get every aspect of it to be just right.

When it opens I am sure it will be well worth the wait. There wont be anything like this for miles around and I think people will come to visit from a long way away.

The original dateline for opening had been earlier this year, then it moved to October and now, due to Covid and the Old Courts saying recently that they need to concentrate on generating more money for their Royal Court Theatre project on King Street before turning to the Pier, there had been fears it might keep slipping further and further into the future.

But Becca Heron, Wigan Councils director for economy and skills, said: We remain as committed as ever to the opening of Wigan Pier with a long-term vision of developing a new offer that will attract visitors, which includes culture, leisure and employment opportunities.

The opening of the Pier has never been more important with the cultural and events sector being badly hit by the pandemic and we hope itll be operational in early 2021.

A picture special of the Pier homes interior will be published on Friday October 9

The Wigan Observer and Wigan Post are more reliant than ever on your taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism. For unlimited access to Wigan news and information online, you can subscribe here: https://www.wigantoday.net/subscriptions

Read more here:
Housing boss lifts the lid on Wigan Pier's new homes - Wigan Today

Modular building is a flexible and cost-efficient method of construction that has made great strides in popularity over recent years. In spite of this, confusion, preconceptions and hesitancy around Modern Methods of Construction have led project managers to opt for alternative methods.

The misconceptions and general confusion relate to the poor reputation of Britains post-war, prefabricated buildings. Their lack of longevity has cast doubt over modular construction techniques but in truth, Modern Methods of Construction can produce permanent, stylish and multi-storey buildings that last for decades.

These common misconceptions are leading people to doubt MMC, when actually it is a cost-effective, premium solution that has already benefitted many industries and has the potential to transform British construction altogether.

After the Second World War, more than 156,000 homes were built to provide urgent accommodation for families whod lost their homes during The Blitz or for soldiers returning home. They were designed to be a temporary solution that local authorities would aim to replace with permanent housing.

The misconception that all modular buildings are only temporary is something that Darwin Group delights in proving wrong. MMC provides the efficiency of off-site construction, whilst delivering structures that will withstand the test of time often out-performing traditional builds.

The current housing crisis along with the target to deliver 300,000 new homes every year by 2025, saw the Government invest directly into modular housing production for the very first time last November a landmark moment in dispelling the myths around MMC. Instead of the short-term solutions chosen in the 1940s, modular housing is now being used to deliver permanent developments to serve densely populated areas.

Our state-of-the-art production facility in Shrewsbury, Shropshire is a closely controlled environment that allows Darwin Group to have complete control over quality management and even greater flexibility to plan production to meet demand.

We highly value precision within a project and this is instilled at every stage of our construction process. Being precise off-site ultimately results in a smoother construction process on-site.

Unlike traditional methods of construction that require a live building site for long periods of time, off-site construction allows for the majority of work to be completed away from site which is ideal for us as we specialise in education and healthcare facilities. Being able to build off-site is much safer and more convenient in these cases, as we avoid the complications of busy live school or hospital environments.

MMC has also allowed Darwin Group to continue to deliver our builds during lockdown. Our controlled factory environment where social distancing and strict site working practices can be adhered to has enabled us to swiftly deliver much-needed emergency facilities for the NHS.

We wanted to do everything we could to help fight the global Covid-19 pandemic, and Im proud to say that Darwin Group was behind landmark facilities in Wigan at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary and Wolverhampton at New Cross Hospital.

Actually, it can. Modular buildings are made from the very same high-quality materials as traditional structures, meaning theyre no more harmful for the environment in some cases, the materials we use can provide better durability and insulation, lowering the carbon footprint of the end user.

However, Modern Methods of Construction allows you to go further than that. Our clients are more and more frequently prioritising sustainability and trying to minimise their impact on the planet. This is where MMC holds a real advantage because our builds are prefabricated in our industry-leading factory (away from site), there is much less waste of materials, providing a more sustainable and eco-friendly way of building.

Our days on-site are also far fewer than traditional construction projects, meaning there is less use of heavy equipment and machinery, reducing power consumption. At Darwin Group, we aim to minimise waste and the consumption of resources at every stage of construction. Our in-house team are experts in SBEM, BREEAM and Passivhaus and create buildings that minimise environmental impact and maintenance throughout their lifespan.

The quality and precision of a modular build means that it requires very little maintenance, as the structure is strong and can withstand extreme environmental pressures. If the purpose of a building changes and the layout or size of a build no longer meets a clients requirements, then modular structures can in fact be easily modified.

As mentioned, Darwin Group recently delivered a new ward for the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary in Wigan, where we created a space that could be quickly adapted at a low cost. This was pivotal, owing to the buildings function as an emergency Covid-19 nightingale ward. The modular build was designed, manufactured and completed onsite ahead of schedule in less than 40 days.

The structure was point loaded via columns located in the perimeter of the building. The services were also sectioned in dedicated service zones meaning that should the ward need to be transformed into a different configuration in the future it would be far easier than a typical refurbishment project. Following the pandemic, there is the potential for the permanent ward to be used for bariatric patients, adding quality and longevity to the project. Future-proofing a build in such a way provides the client with the confidence that their investment will continue to be of value as their needs develop over time.

A common misconception is that modular contractors are not the principle contractor and rely on other companies to complete key parts of the project such as groundwork, foundations, roads, paths and landscaping. However, this is not the case with Darwin Group. As an experienced design and build principal contractor, we manage all project requirements.

Our unique, turnkey service covers all aspects of design, planning and construction from start to finish. This seamless process proves straightforward for our clients, simplifies building warranties and or guarantees and also works out to be a lot more cost-effective than traditional construction methods.

Darwin Group is able to work within a clients budget constraints to find a complete solution for their individual project. We also offer financial payment plans and assist with funding applications to ensure that aspirations and budget constraints align.

Wrong! Every project we undertake is bespoke and many factors come into play during the design process. From small outbuildings, to stand-out structures, to large multi-story extensions, MMC can provide a cost-effective solution for all of these requirements. At Darwin Group, we always deliver exceptional looking, affordable buildings.

Notably, as part of our diverse in-house team of construction experts, we have a talented team of designers and architects. They work closely with our project managers to carefully consider the location, size and purpose of the building, creating a bespoke solution that looks exceptional but remains affordable.

A recent project that needed a considered design approach was Reddiford School in Pinner, North West London. As part of the planning process, Harrow Council specified the need for a method of attenuating rainwater in the instance of a significant storm, adding additional complexity to the build. Our design solution was to use the roof of the building to hold and attenuate rainwater. The water is gradually released into an underground storm drainage system, maximising available space and providing a satisfactory solution.

Charles Pierce

Managing director

Darwin Group

See the rest here:
The myths of Modern Methods of Construction - Planning, BIM & Construction Today

New supportive homes for Indigenous women have been opened in Victoria, where residents will be given the opportunity to reconnect with their culture through traditional food and healing, and assistance from an elder in residence.

The Spaken House also known as "Flower House" is a modular two-storey apartment building with 21 self-contained units. Each unit has a private washroom and a mini kitchen, while shared facilities include a commercial kitchen and a dining lounge area.

Thehousing project is a collaboration between the Aboriginal Coalition to End Homelessness Society (ACEH), B.C. Housing and the Atira Women's Resource Society.

ACEH operates the building and will have round-the-clock staff on sitewho have beentrained byAtirawhich runs other non-profit housing in B.C.

Fran Hunt-Jinnouchi, executive director of ACEH, said this program is based on what she called the "dual model of housing care."

"On one hand, it's culturally supportive with elders [and] traditional foods, but on the other side, that real missing piece is decolonized harm-reduction practice," she told On The Island guest hostDavid Lennam.

On the first point, the kitchen of Spaken House will provide traditional foods and cooking classes for residents. There's also a therapeutic garden for growing plants and natural medicines.

On the second point, Hunt-Jinnouchi said the housing program is aimed at strengthening the self-identity of Indigenous women, which may have been lost through the foster care system or other kinds of trauma. She said there's a three-bedroom "family townhouse" on site for residents toreunifywith their families as part of thishealing process.

"It will allow for women that have children and care or live with relatives to be able to spend time with them and rebuild those relationships,"Hunt-Jinnouchi said.

Hunt-Jinnouchi said there have been many referrals of women who are living in hotels and temporary homes. She expects most women will move in within the coming two weeks, but doesn't expect all of them will do that at once.

"We'll bring in women on the first floor that require assistance, because they're using a walker or a wheelchair, and so the accessibility challenges [are what] we want to address first," she said.

The B.C. Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing doesn't set any timeline for how long a resident can stayin supportive housing,but Hunt-Jinnouchi said ACEH's aim is to set women up so they can move into their own homes.

The B.C. government provided $3.8 million to the project through the Rapid Response to Homelessness program, and will provide annual operating funding of approximately $997,000.

Read the original post:
New supportive housing aims to help Indigenous women reconnect with their culture - CBC.ca

Britain's biggest factory-built council homes programme since the prefab construction boom of the Forties has been launched in east London.

Greenwich council has signed a 300 million contract for the delivery of up to 750 new modular homes to help address the chronic housing shortage in the borough.

Two sites at former garages have already been granted planning permission for the houses, which can be built in less than two weeks compared with a typical six-month construction period.

Greenwich has more than 20,000 people on the housing waiting list with an average wait time of nearly three years.

Greenwich cabinet member for housing Anthony Okereke said: Employing modular techniques as part of our Greenwich Builds programme is allowing us to quickly deliver the high quality and sustainable council homes so badly needed in our borough.

With plans for construction on 750 new homes to be under way by 2022, were excited to be at the forefront of delivering innovative zero-carbon council properties, making good on Royal Greenwichs commitments to tackling the housing crisis and climate change.

The houses have been designed by Clerkenwell-based architects shedkm, manufactured by Ideal Modular Homes, which has its production line in Liverpool, and will be constructed on site by Lewisham-based A&E Elkins.

The first homes are expected to be ready by the end of the year.

Ideal Modular Homes founder Luke Barnes said: Councils are under constant pressure to deliver affordable housing at a reduced cost, while still delivering on quality. This joint venture will see that beautifully designed high-quality homes can be delivered in half the time that traditional methods would.

Alex Flint, director at shedkm, said: The new homes look to change the perception towards off-site manufacturing, through carefully crafted and long-lasting materials, and considered internal layouts. In addition, we will work alongside the landscape architects to ensure that we create new neighbourhoods with identity and a sense of place, providing the residents with a sense of belonging.

Modular homebuilding in Britain has struggled to shake off the image of the postwar prefabs, many of which suffered from damp and other defects

although some are still lived in. Of the roughly 200,000 homes built each year in Britain, only about 15,000 are modular, despite their speed of delivery.

Across London as a whole almost quarter of a million households are waiting for council housing, but Mayor Sadiq Khan has admitted he will not hit this years target for building new affordable homes because of the coronavirus lockdown.

Read more:
Affordable housing in London:Greenwich signs up for hundreds of prefab homes to address chronic housing shortage - Homes and Property

Because a new army of waggy-tailed workers are about to invade workplaces across the UK stealing sandwiches, chewing cables and woofing on Zoom calls.

Dogs will become part of the furniture as staff head back to offices keen to take their pets too after spending more time than ever with them during lockdown.

Already 1.7 million offices are dog-friendly, including Ben & Jerrys, Build A Bear Workshop, Nestl, Amazon, Cats Protection and Google.

And experts say more companies will follow suit to tempt staff back. Reginald, an 18-month-old British bulldog, is Chief of Happiness at Ideal Modular Homes in Liverpool and is most likely found snoozing on his favourite beanbag.

Other dogs in the office include Labrador Meg, Yorkie Frankie, Newfoundland Bella and Sugar the Pomeranian.

Reggies owner, Gemma Darroch, 33, says: Having him in the office is lovely. Everyone enjoys giving him cuddles.

The dogs help boost productivity and taking five minutes to go for a walk or throw a ball beats the afternoon slump.

Weve had a few accidents with them. One of them peed all over the new chief finance officers bag and weve found lots of chewed computer cables. But generally having them here is great for morale.

At Fourth Day PR, adorable Borderterrier Tess, five, is very much part of the team, despite getting a bit too excited from time to time.

Nikki Scrivener, 46, her owner and director at the Manchester firm, says: Tess is so relaxing to have around. Shes great at jumping up on a lap if anyones feeling stressed.

She loves playing tug of war, meaning staff get breaks, and always makes herself known on Zoom calls by woofing along.

At Reflect Digital in Maidstone, founder Becky Simms, 34, says her dachshund Harry is a professional member of the team, apart from when he steals sandwiches. She said: Harry is more than just the office dog. We call him Chief Happiness Officer as he cheers us up with regular cuddles and walks. But as part of the induction, all staff are warned not to leave food in bags on the floor or on their desks as Harry will find a way to steal it.

Not surprisingly, 81 per cent of people said having a dog in the office made it a happier place to work, according to research by pet food company Purina.

And 17 per cent said they would take a pay cut if it meant they could bring their dog with them. Dog behaviourist Kerry Lawson says bosses need to considersupporting new owners.

She said: For new owners, the thought of being parted with their pet who has supported them emotionally through lockdown is distressing.

For the new pet, having their owner with them 24/7 then being left alone is unsettling and can lead to all kinds of unwanted behaviour.

But if workplaces can bemore flexible, whether thats letting dogs come in on set days, or allowing staff to go home to care for them, this can be avoided.

Read the original:
Dogs head to the office! Waggy-tailed workers to join in big return - Express

The mayor of London has outlined proposals to give key workers such as NHS and police staff priority access to homes for low-cost ownership and intermediate rent in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.

Sadiq Khan (pictured, left) is to consult Londoners on plans to improve access to the homes for what he described as Londons covid heroes.

The proposal is part of a proposed shake-up on the use of so-called intermediate housing in the capital in the wake of the pandemic. Intermediate housing includes shared ownership schemes and homes available at the London living rent, which is below market levels but more costly than social housing.

The consultation will ask which occupations should get priority access to such housing in the future.

The question follows the launch in May of a Homes for Heroes campaign backed by many of the UKs largest housing associations, developer Legal & General and a range of modular housing manufacturers. It is calling for the construction of 100,000 homes for key workers who remained on front-line public services during the pandemic.

Khan said: Housing costs have driven far too many Londoners away from our great city, robbing us of their skills and expertise. Intermediate housing, alongside much-needed homes for social rent, can play a vital role in turning that tide.

I want to hear from Londoners and our partners about how I can best support Londons key workers to be able to access a safe and secure home that they can afford.

Helen Evans, chair of the G15 group of Londons largest housing associations and chief executive of Network Homes, said that housing associations stood ready to support the key workers who have kept the country going through the pandemic. She said: While we continue to push for the social rented homes London needs, it is vital we also have options for those who struggle to afford private rents or are locked out of the housing market.

However Conservative assembly memberAndrew Boff branded the announcement aPR distraction designed to hide Khans failure to build the homes he promised Londoners. He said: The Mayor needs to focus on delivering the 116,000 affordable homes he has the money to build. By delivering those homes now, thousands of Londoners would finally be able to get on the housing ladder without priority access.

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Mayor wants to offer homes to London's 'covid heroes' - Housing Today

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Major Companies:

Market players: Bouygues Construction, Lendlease Corporation, Laing Orourke, Seikisui House, Clayton Homes, Champion, Modular Space Corporation, Daiwa House, Cavco Industries, Inc.

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Modular homes market Supply and Demand Review: Coupled with sales margin, the report describes the supply and demand seen in major regions, among key players, and for every form of Modular homes market product.

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Market Segmentation:

By Type:

Ranch

Cape Cod

Two-story homes

Cabin/Chalet

By Application:

999 sq ft Floor

1000 sq ft 1499 sq ft Floor

1500 sq ft 1999 sq ft Floor

2000 sq ft 2499 sq ft Floor

More than 2500 sq ft Floor

By Region:

North America

North America, by Country

US

Canada

Mexico

North America, by Type

North America, by Application

Western Europe

Western Europe, by Country

Germany

UK

France

Italy

Spain

The Netherlands

Rest of Western Europe

Western Europe, by Type

Western Europe, by Application

Asia Pacific

Asia Pacific, by Country

China

India

Japan

South Korea

Australia

Indonesia

Rest of Asia Pacific

Asia Pacific, by Type

Asia Pacific, by Application

Eastern Europe

Eastern Europe, by Country

Russia

Turkey

Rest of Eastern Europe

Eastern Europe, by Type

Eastern Europe, by Application

Middle East

Middle East, by Country

UAE

Saudi Arabia

Qatar

Iran

Rest of Middle East

Middle East, by Type

Middle East, by Application

Rest of the World

Rest of the World, by Country

South America

Africa

Rest of the World, by Type

Rest of the World, by Application

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Modular Homes Market Rising Trends, Analysis and Demands 2016 to 2028 - Owned

A&E Elkins will deliver council homes across the borough using modular construction under the ACA TAC-1 term alliance form of contract.

A&E Elkins is an alliance with manufacturer Ideal Modular Homes and architect ShedKM.

It will deliver up to 750 affordable rent council homes across 60 sites.

Two sites at former garages have already been granted planning permission for the modular homes.

Greenwich has more than 20,000 people on the housing waiting list with an average wait time of nearly three years.

The project will run for five years with the possible extension for a further five years.

Greenwich cabinet member for housing, Anthony Okereke, said: Employing modular techniques as part of our Greenwich Builds programme is allowing us to quickly deliver the high quality and sustainable council homes so badly needed in our borough.

With plans for construction on 750 new homes to be underway by 2022, were excited to be at the forefront of delivering innovative zero-carbon council properties, making good on Royal Greenwichs commitments to tackling the housing crisis and climate change.

Founder of Ideal Modular Homes, Luke Barnes, said: Councils are under constant pressure to deliver affordable housing at a reduced cost, while still delivering on quality.

This joint venture will see that beautifully designed high-quality homes can be delivered in half the time that traditional methods would.

Alex Flint, director at shedkm, added: The new homes look to change the perception towards offsite manufacturing, through carefully crafted and long-lasting materials, and considered internal layouts.

In addition, we will work alongside the landscape architects to ensure that we create new neighbourhoods with identity and a sense of place, providing the residents with a sense of belonging.

The first modular homes are expected to be ready by the end of the year.

The rest is here:
A&E Elkins wins 300m contract to deliver 750 modular homes in Greenwich - Planning, BIM & Construction Today