Printed on FSC Mix paper by Palace Road, Buxton, Derbyshire,
Full Spirit Ahead
MOST READERS will be picking up this magazine at Offsite Expo. An annual event that seems to come around more quickly than ever and acts as a benchmark of sorts on where the sector is, what the problems are and where its priorities reside.
I hate the notion that the world of offsite revolves around one sector, but it seems the focus inevitably falls on the slow pace and lack of homes being built, with improvements in energy efficiency, fabric first approaches and low carbon aims effecting overall quality and costs. The National Housing Bank – a ‘subsidiary’ of Homes England – has been given a blockbuster amount of money to help build 500,000+ new homes as part of the government’s Plan for Change. As we went to press Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner resigned leaving Whitehall to ponder on the ‘impossible dream’ of getting 1.5 million new homes delivered.
Offsite manufacture can significantly help. I spent a gloriously sunny day in Rishton,
near Blackburn, watching the panelised super structure of a house, with a final room-in-roof element placed into position over a single day. A performance piece for sure, but proof of what can be done with innovative thinking and factory-based design – you can read more about that inside.
There is a lot to get through this issue, not least a roundtable discussion on prefabricated utility rooms that threw up an interesting rabbit hole discussion on standardisation and what exactly it means. Ironically, something totally different depending on where you are in a supply chain. Finally, the Offsite Awards display everything there is to celebrate about the sector and the vast talent that operates within it. Good luck to all the shortlisted entrants and you will be able to read about the many winners in more detail in upcoming editions.
Huge thanks to all our contributors, advertisers, and supporters for their help this issue particularly, as the ‘Expo’ edition is always a popular one.
The content of Offsite Magazine does not necessarily reflect the views of the editor or publishers and are the views of its contributors and advertisers. The digital edition may include hyperlinks to third-party content, advertising, or websites, provided for the sake of convenience and interest. The publishers accept no legal responsibility for loss arising from information in this publication and do not endorse any advertising or products available from external sources. The publisher does not accept any liability of any loss arising from the late appearance or nonpublication of any advertisement. Content including images and illustrations supplied by third parties are accepted in good faith and the publishers expect third parties to have obtained appropriate permissions, consents, licences or otherwise. The publisher does not accept any liability or any loss arising in the absence of these permissions for material used in both physical and digital editions. No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system without the written consent of the publishers. All rights reserved.
www.offsitemagazine.co.uk
www.linkedin.com/company/exploreoffsite
Leading offsite manufacturer voestalpine Metsec, explain how light gauge steel, alongside Platform Design for Manufacture and Assembly (P-DfMA) and its ‘kit of parts’ approach, are combining to improve standardised components, efficiency, reduce costs and accelerate project timelines.
34 R&D Tax Credits
Darren Richards, Managing Director of Cogent Consulting, illustrates why innovation is the lifeblood of driving business development and why that should be rewarded.
40 Rethinking Emergency Housing
John Bell, Group Managing Director at Stelling Properties discusses why modular construction methods offer a dignified, sustainable and scalable response to a critical national housing problem.
42 Fire Security and Modular Construction
The MPBA’s Richard Hipkiss points out why fire resistance and building safety have become defining factors in how the construction industry is perceived.
54 Unlocking Value with DPPs
Digital Product Passports are anticipated to bring transformative change to the construction industry. Ben Towe, Chair of the Light Steel Frame Association, highlights their principal advantages.
58 LEAF: Raising the Bar in Retrofit
Martin Jamieson and Nik Teagle, Joint Managing Directors of Frameclad, discuss how to address retrofit issues with creativity and adaptive building systems.
60 Unlocking Innovation
New guidance from BUILDOFFSITE and CIRIA is designed to help industry embrace performance specifications for offsite construction, amid mounting pressures to decarbonise and improve productivity.
News and developments from across the UK offsite industry and wider construction arena including: ZED PODS help Sheffield City Council deliver ‘net zero in operation’ homes, Churchill Fellowship to explore potential of industrialised construction, NHBC publishes new housing design and construction report, and CROSS-UK named as official reporting system for building safety.
64 Cast Verified: Offsite Confidence
Offsite construction is entering a new phase of maturity, via a formal verification process, setting new benchmarks. Design 4 Structures are the first specifier to be recognised.
66 New Day New House
Ultrapanel Building Technologies showed what can be achieved at its recent Live Build event at its Rishton facility, where it built a full house structure – including roof – in a single day.
72 Box Clever – Prefabricated Utility Rooms in Perspective
An industry roundtable hosted by prefabricated utility rooms providers Resipoint, highlighted some important sector issues from a commonplace but underreported part of the offsite spectrum.
78 A Watershed Moment for UK Construction
The first Industrialised Construction Conference, held 2-3 July at Coventry’s Manufacturing Technology Centre, saw more than 25 thought leaders debate a defining shift in UK construction.
84 Tackling New Challenges in Housing Delivery
Earlier this year, UK Concrete commissioned Opinium to conduct some in-depth research about public attitudes to their homes, how they are built, and what they value in them.
88 Excellence in Stadium Terracing FP McCann’s acquisition of precast specialist Macrete, has combined an extensive manufacturing network with specialised expertise in stadium terracing solutions.
Enabling Standardisation & Streamlined Design
Light gauge steel alongside Platform Design for Manufacture and Assembly (P-DfMA) are combining to provide a raft of process and construction efficiencies for the offsite sector.
IN RECENT YEARS the construction industry has been embracing innovative approaches to improve efficiency, reduce costs and accelerate project timelines. One such method gaining popularity is P-DfMA. This concept can be summarised simply the adoption of a ‘kit of parts’ approach towards design, whereby buildings are designed as varying configurations of a pre-defined and standardised set of components and systems.
The core principle of P-DfMA is to develop a standardised platform that can be adapted and reused for various building projects, whether these be residential developments with modular housing or infrastructure such as schools or hospitals. P-DfMA with light gauge steel offers many benefits to the construction industry, and voestalpine Metsec have the manufacturing experience and design expertise to offer real scalability and efficiencies to a project:
Standardisation and customisation
voestalpine Metsec offer a wide range of standardised components. These standardised elements can be easily adapted and combined to suit the specific requirements of different building projects. Architects and designers have the flexibility to customise and optimise the platform design while benefitting from the efficiency gains of using pre-engineered components.
Offsite manufacturing
One of the key advantages of voestalpine Metsec’s Metframe system is its offsite manufacturing process. The steel framing components are fabricated in a controlled factory environment, reducing waste, and ensuring precision. Offsite manufacturing also minimises on-site labour, noise, and disruption, resulting in faster construction and shorter project timelines.
Efficiency
and cost savings
By leveraging voestalpine Metsec’s manufacturing capabilities and standardised components, P-DfMA projects can achieve significant efficiency improvements. The reduced construction time and labour costs can lead to substantial savings compared to traditional construction
methods. Additionally, the ability to optimise material usage helps in cost control and waste reduction.
Sustainability and green building
Light gauge steel offers a resource efficient and environmentally responsible choice for P-DfMA projects. Steel is a highly recyclable material, which can be recycled and repurposed to minimise waste sent to landfill at the end of the building life. This cradle-to-cradle approach aligns with circular economy principles and makes voestalpine Metsec a compelling option for a sustainable construction future.
Digital integration and BIM
voestalpine Metsec has embraced digital technologies and Building Information Modelling (BIM), becoming the first Tier 2 Designer and Manufacturer complying with BIM Level 2 for Design & Construction in the UK. This enables us to achieve the seamless integration with the P-DfMA approach, enabling stakeholders to collaborate more effectively throughout the design and construction phases, reducing clashes and rework. The digital integration also enhances project visualisation, enabling better decision-making and efficient co-ordination among various disciplines.
The construction industry is undergoing a remarkable transformation with a greater focus on efficiency, sustainable building methods. At the heart of this revolution, P-DfMA projects not only ensures faster, cost-effective, and sustainable construction but also sets the stage for a future where buildings are designed, assembled, and delivered with unprecedented efficiency and precision. As the demand for smarter construction methods grows, the collaboration with voestalpine Metsec for P-DfMA can shape the industry’s future and redefine how we build our world.
“I’m proud to say that voestalpine Metsec continues to lead the way in an ever-changing construction landscape,” says Owen Johnson, voestalpine Metsec’s Research & Development Manager. “Our commitment to innovation, adaptability, and technical excellence ensures we remain at the forefront of modern building methods. By combining the versatility of light gauge steel with the transformative potential of P-DfMA, we offer our clients scalable, sustainable, and costeffective solutions that meet the demands of today, and anticipate the needs of tomorrow. In a sector where change is constant, Metsec stands as a trusted partner, ready to deliver smarter, faster, and greener construction outcomes.
Images 1-3: voestalpine Metsec has embraced digital technologies and BIM, becoming the first Tier 2 Designer and Manufacturer complying with BIM Level 2 for Design & Construction in the UK
Churchill Fellowship Award for British Engineer to Study Europe’s Custom-build Housing
British engineer and sustainability expert Ele George has been awarded a prestigious honour – a Churchill Fellowship – to explore how industrialised construction can unlock the potential of ‘custom build’ homes in Britain.
The research project will take her to Germany and Sweden, two countries where industrialised construction and citizen-led development have transformed communities. Her aim is to bring back practical, scalable models that can help reshape the way Britain delivers housing – putting power in the hands of people rather than developers.
Ele George is a construction professional, innovator, and advocate for citizen-led housing models, as well as being a long-time MMC ‘evangelist.’ She founded her environment consultancy, Elevate, in 2021 to tackle challenges facing the sustainable construction sector.
“This isn’t just research for the sake of research – it could benefit thousands of potential homeowners,” said Ele. “It could also encompass social housing shared ownership models, so the potential is huge. It’s a passion and it’s also personal … I built my own home through a custom-build route, and I saw first-hand how transformative it can be. It’s about giving people real agency to design homes that work for their lives, not just tick boxes.”
Over six weeks, Ele will study modular timber systems and platform-based construction frameworks in Germany and Sweden. Her Churchill Fellowship project will explore how the UK might adopt similar approaches – such as 3D configurators, curated material libraries, and serviced plots –to make custom-build a serious alternative to developer-led housing.
Custom build remains a niche concept in the UK, in part due to lack of policy support, industrial capacity, and enabling systems. But internationally, it’s a proven route to faster, greener, and better-quality homes. Ele believes that industrialised construction could be the key to unlocking scale in the UK.
“There is a real opportunity to move beyond the current developer monopoly. With the right systems in place, we can deliver homes more quickly, more sustainably, and with greater community input,” she said. “At a time when the Government has set a 1.5 million target for new homes in the UK by the end of this parliament, this Churchill Fellowship study has added relevance.”
Ele hopes her work – which will span across other themes including climate change – will directly influence UK policymakers, housing professionals, and construction leaders, offering actionable pathways for adoption rather than just ideas. She has appealed to UK housing leaders, designers and policymakers as well as European partners in Germany and Sweden to share their insights with her for the project.
“The UK’s housing crisis requires scalable solutions, and my research will identify actionable ways to help,” said Ele. “I’m thrilled to have been awarded a Churchill Fellowship and really excited to connect with leading experts in the field of construction innovation to explore new insights that will hopefully help drive positive change.” A full report and recommendations will be published on Ele’s return, aimed at UK policymakers, local authorities, housing associations, and SME builders.
Source: www.churchillfellowship.org
New Partnership Looks to Nanomaterials Use
Saint-Gobain UK & Ireland has revealed a new strategic partnership with Manchesterbased company Vector Labs. The partnership will explore how advanced materials can be integrated into construction products to improve performance and reduce environmental impact. The new strategic partnership will aim to leverage the power of nanomaterials, such as graphene, to deliver significant improvements in the functionality and performance.
Decarbonising Cement a Key Aim
Holcim UK has welcomed the National Wealth Fund’s investment in the Peak Cluster partnership which aims to decarbonise the cement and lime industry as part of the journey to net zero. The £28.6million investment will help develop the project, which will decarbonise 40% of the UK’s overall cement and lime production and secure and create jobs.
Offsite Earmarked for Small Secure Houseblocks Programme
The Ministry of Justice has signed its first main works order under the new Small Secure Houseblocks Programme with Wates for a £100million expansion of HMP Onley in Warwickshire. The Small Secure Houseblocks plan is part of the government’s wider prison building programme and more than 65% of the new blocks will be manufactured offsite.
Integra Buildings Named on Two Significant Frameworks
Integra has been approved onto various lots within the NHS Shared Business Services (SBS) Framework, as well as LHC’s Modular Buildings Framework. It means the Yorkshire-based modular construction company is now on six major frameworks, spanning sectors ranging from healthcare and housing to education and public procurement. It is the first time Integra has been on the NHS SBS Framework.
SES Financials Forge Ahead
MEP specialist, SES Engineering Services (SES), recently announced record financial results with turnover growing by 55.3% in 2024 and profit (before tax) increasing by 60.2% to £9.3million. The strong performance reflects significant growth in both the business’s customer base and operational capabilities, alongside the integration of new offsite and technological services.
Steal the advantage in construction with Howick steel roll-forming machines and technology.
You want a system you can trust. One that delivers speed, accuracy and control without locking you in.
That is the Howick difference.
Machines 100% built in-house in New Zealand for quality you can rely on
No toll fees, royalties or software lock-ins
Open integration with your preferred CAD framing software
Proven performance, precision and repeatability across global projects
Personal support from people who know your machine inside out
NBS (powered by Hubexo) a leading specification and product information platform for the construction industry, has announced a landmark partnership with GS1 UK to embed globally recognised product identifiers across the sector.
This strategic collaboration will improve the quality, traceability, and visibility of construction product data across the supply chain. For the first time manufacturers will be able to assign Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs), a globally recognised standardised product identification approach, to their products on NBS Source. By creating a unique digital identity for every product, this initiative addresses longstanding challenges related to fragmented and inconsistent product data in construction.
Underpinning a single source of truth, this collaboration is closely aligned with emerging regulatory frameworks, including the Golden Thread of Information and digital product passports (DPPs).
Digital Transformation Partnership to Accelerate Construction Industry
Dr Stephen Hamil, Innovation Director at NBS, commented: “Our aim at NBS is to make structured, high-quality product data available where and when it’s needed. That starts with consistent identification. By incorporating GTINs into NBS Source, we’re helping to remove ambiguity from specifications and make it easier for manufacturers to manage their digital product information at scale. The adoption of open standards like these is essential if we want to build a more transparent and connected industry.”
GTINs are already widely used across the logistics, retail, healthcare, and food sectors to enhance supply chain efficiency and data accuracy. Now, GS1 UK and NBS are bringing this global standard to construction, unlocking better discoverability of products in digital environments. Early adopters on NBS Source, include Knauf Insulation, Aico, Devi, Ibstock, Armitage Shanks, Fischer, Wallbarn, Permavent, Fire & Acoustic Seals, URSA, and C-TEC.
Ryan Ferguson, Head of Product & Innovation at Knauf Insulation said: “We’re now able to assign a single, globally recognised product identifier, that travels with our data from internal systems into specification platforms like NBS, through procurement and distributor platforms, and right through to end-of-life stages like disassembly. Even years later, if disassembly is needed, that same unique code still links to vital product information – helping
teams carry out the process safely and sustainably.”
Integrating GTINs into NBS Source enables manufacturers to showcase their products across Google, procurement platforms, online marketplaces, asset databases and even AI tools like ChatGPT. This wider exposure not only amplifies visibility but also gives project teams fast, reliable access to verified product information.
Shervin Yousefzadeh, Head of Construction at GS1 UK, added: “This is a significant moment for the construction industry. We’ve seen how identifiers like GTINs unlock better supply chain visibility in other industries, and now construction has the chance to benefit in the same way. Wider adoption of these will provide the clarity and consistency the sector has needed for years. The beauty of GTINs is that they’re open, globally recognised and ready to use. They will help construction product manufacturers prepare for upcoming regulation and allow the wider industry to access trusted product data at every stage of a project.”
Over the coming months GS1 UK and NBS will deepen their collaboration, launching educational resources, hosting targeted outreach sessions and providing best-practice guidance to drive GTIN adoption among both manufacturers and specifiers nationwide.
Source: www.thenbs.com www.gs1uk.org
TALO Appoints New Head of Operations
TALO has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Darren Pace as its new Head of Operations. He joins TALO as part of its continued expansion to further accelerate the delivery of ultra-low energy housing across the UK. His role is to enhance the client journey post-planning, including offsite manufacturing and site installation.
Darren brings around 30 years of experience to his new role, having worked in both timber frame construction and MMC for several industry leaders. Most recently, he led the construction of luxury homes in the Cotswolds for a global developer, which used timber offsite technology. At TALO, Darren will lead all aspects of project delivery, working closely with developer clients and housebuilders, their design teams, and TALO’s offsite manufacturing and logistics operations to ensure seamless project delivery to exceptional standards.
Darren Pace, Head of Operations at TALO said: “TALO is doing something genuinely different. I have
worked extensively with a number of different timber framed systems for three decades, and the standard way of doing things has barely changed in that time.
The housebuilding industry still uses wet timber and so has to accept shrinkage, cracking and weatherrelated delays. But that shouldn’t be the norm.
“TALO’s entirely dry, high-performance system avoids all of that. It is about speed, consistency, and quality. I am excited to help our clients deliver better homes, more quickly – ultra-low energy homes that exceed Passivhaus standards, and that aren’t handed over with snag lists. I also feel passionately about TALO’s wider vision to eradicate fuel poverty.”
TALO’s panelised timber superstructure is currently manufactured in Finland using slow grown, dry Nordic timber. The system arrives on-site complete with insulation, triple glazing, and internal plaster boarding.
As Head of Operations, Darren will work closely with TALO’s commercial and design teams to ensure a seamless transition from project inception to
handover. Together, they will give housebuilding clients a streamlined pathway to achieve better quality, ultra-low energy housing with less risk, cost efficiency, fewer trades on site, shorter build times, faster return on investment and earlier occupation.
Source: www.talo.co.uk
Star t delivering complex, project-based manufacturing on time and on budget, across one site or many with Xpedeon.
Synchronise factor y production with site installation to avoid delays, reduce waste and protect margins
Connect commercial, financial and operational workflows – from design to production to on-site assembly
Replace disconnected systems and manage procurement, CVR, planning, contracts and payments in one place, in real time
Sync procurement and logistics with factor y build slots
Gain visibility from initial design to on-site installation
Sheffield’s first ‘net zero in operation’ Council houses are ready to provide a home for their first tenants. On 5 August, an opening ceremony was hosted at the properties in the Graves Park ward area of the city. It saw everyone who had been involved in the project come together to see the finished homes before keys are handed over to their first residents.
Sheffield City Council has worked alongside partners such as ZED PODS Ltd and Homes England to deliver the self-contained, single person, high-quality homes. They have been built using ZED PODS’ award winning low energy modular construction system. These are the Council’s first dedicated move-on homes. The homes will be managed by the Council, providing access to both an affordable home and individual support for people to ensure tenancies are maintained.
Before being transported to the site, these homes are built in a qualitycontrolled UK factory using a volumetric light gauge steel frame. The homes were designed by ZED PODS’ team of in-house architects and designers, using a ‘fabricfirst’ approach – using non-combustible insulation and triple glazed windows and doors. This creates a super-insulated and air-tight building envelope, minimising heat loss and eliminating condensation risks.
The homes are all electric powered, fitted with high efficiency heat pumps, rooftopmounted solar photovoltaic panels and other elements. This ensures 100 per cent of the in-use carbon emissions are offset, making the homes ‘Net Zero Operational Carbon’. This significantly reduces running costs for residents and contributes to the Council’s
First Free Online 3D U-value Calculator Launched to Tackle Performance Gap
Knauf Insulation has launched the UK’s first free online 3D U-value calculator, allowing architects to instantly generate more accurate U-values for steel frame rainscreen façade specifications. The tool is designed to help architects more closely reflect as-built performance in their designs and avoid costly over-specification.
“Ordinarily, architects might have to wait up to two days to get this information. Now they can use the tool at any time and get an instant result. And they can revise their designs as much as necessary to reach their target U-value,” explains Bradley Hirst, Technical Services Manager at Knauf Insulation.
Standard U-value calculations for rainscreen façades assume a default bracket configuration, applying a blanket correction factor for the build-up. This can lead to specifying needlessly thick insulation or result in a gap between designed and actual performance. The 3D U-value calculator works from the architect’s actual design to provide a more accurate result. With regulations becoming increasingly stringent, the calculator helps architects ensure compliance by delivering a design more likely to perform as intended in the real world. The calculator also creates a
Sheffield Celebrates Net Zero Affordable Homes
carbon emissions ambitions and aligns with UK’s Net Zero targets. In addition, a whole life cycle carbon assessment is being undertaken to identify all environmental impacts of the scheme over its lifetime.
These homes have been delivered as part of the council’s Stock Increase Programme, with investment from the Council, Homes England and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. This project also delivers another first for the city – the Council’s first dedicated move-on homes. The homes will be managed by the Council, providing access to an affordable home.
Cllr Douglas Johnson, Chair of Sheffield City Council’s Housing Policy Committee, said: “I am delighted to see the Council deliver its first ‘net zero in operation’ Council homes. This is an important step for the city. It’s been great to visit these homes upon their completion, and I will be particularly keen to hear from residents about their experience of living in these homes moving forwards.”
Gareth Phipps-Williams, Assistant Director - Affordable Housing Programme Management at Homes England, said: “As the Government’s housing and regeneration agency, increasing the supply of quality affordable homes remains one of our key objectives and we are committed to supporting Sheffield City Council to achieve their ambitions. It’s fantastic to see the completion of these sustainable, social rent homes in Sheffield and the positive impact they are making. This is a prime example of how we are working collaboratively with partners to achieve our mission to build much needed new communities that people can be proud to call home”.
Tom Northway, Chairman of ZED PODS, added: “We are proud to have worked in partnership with Sheffield City Council and Homes England to deliver the city’s first ‘net zero in operation’ council homes. These precision-engineered modular homes demonstrate how innovation and sustainability can be embedded into housing delivery. They were designed with resident wellbeing and long-term affordability in mind. We hope this project serves as a blueprint for future housing schemes in Sheffield and beyond.”
Source: www.zedpods.com
detailed report that helps to meet regulations and protect the specification by showing the potential impact of inappropriate substitutions.
Brad added: “We’re always looking for ways to make it as easy as possible for architects to design buildings that perform in the real world. In time, we plan to add masonry and reinforced concrete rainscreen façades to the tool, so that architects have instant access to 3D U-value calculations for a broader range of applications.”
Source: www.knauf.com
National Housing Bank to Boost Homes Delivery
Hundreds of thousands of extra homes will be delivered thanks to a bold new government-backed ‘housing bank’ that will unlock billions in private sector investment to turbocharge housebuilding.
The National Housing Bank, a subsidiary of Homes England, will be publicly owned and backed with £16billion of financial capacity, on top of £6billion of existing finance to be allocated this Parliament, in order to accelerate housebuilding and leverage in £53billion of additional private investment, creating jobs and delivering over 500,000 new homes.
Homes England will be able to issue government guarantees directly and have greater autonomy and flexibility to make the long-term investments that are needed to reform the housing market and deliver strong returns. With long-term, flexible capital, the National Housing Bank will be able to act as a consistent partner to the private sector, bringing the stability and certainty that housing developers and investors need to make delivery happen. It will also support SMEs with new lending products and enable developers to unlock large, complex sites through infrastructure finance.
Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner said: “We are turning the tide on the
housing crisis we inherited – whether that’s fixing our broken planning system, investing £39billion to deliver more social and affordable homes or now creating a National Housing Bank to lever in vital investment. This government is delivering reform and investing in Britain’s renewal through our Plan for Change. Our foot is firmly on the accelerator when it comes to making sure a generation is no longer locked out of homeownership – or ensuring children don’t have to grow up in unsuitable temporary accommodation and instead have the safe and secure home they deserve.”
The Bank will deploy some of the £2.5billion in low-interest loans announced at the Spending Review to support the building of social and affordable homes. It builds on £39billion investment announced at the Spending Review for a new 10-year Affordable Homes Programme, which is the biggest boost to social and affordable housing investment in a generation, supporting our Plan for Change milestone to build 1.5 million homes.
It will also support SME lending by establishing additional lending alliances with private sector partners and leverage in additional capital and expertise, including providing revolving credit facilities to help SMEs to grow and build out their
housing pipeline more quickly. This follows proposals previously announced to bolster the capabilities of SME developers, which provide local jobs and train construction apprentices, by streamlining and simplifying overly complex planning rules.
Homes England Chair Pat Ritchie said: “Establishing the National Housing Bank, as a part of Homes England, builds on the Agency’s expertise at providing a wide range of finance to partners and places to unlock the delivery of new housing and mixed-use schemes. The National Housing Bank also responds to calls from the housing sector, mayors and local leaders to increase the scale of available public and private finance for housing and regeneration, provide a broader range of flexible debt, equity and guarantee products, and enable more timely decision making.”
The Bank will help unlock a wide range of sites, including larger ones which struggle to get up front lending given their risk and complexity, using a mixture of equity investment, loans and guarantees to leverage global institutional capital into UK housing, reducing risk at the early stages of development.
*For further technical information and fire test reports, contact us on +44 (0)161 905 5700 or e-mail info@glidevaleprotect.com www.glidevaleprotect.com/frsolutions
Smartroof’s SmartPUC Debuts at Lindridge Chase Development
A new housing development in Sutton Coldfield has become the first site in the UK to incorporate Smartroof’s award-winning smartPUC system, marking a pivotal step in preparing homes for the Future Homes Standard. Developed in close partnership with Taylor Wimpey’s Technical & Innovation team, smartPUC offers a practical, space-saving solution to one of the most pressing challenges in modern housebuilding by integrating essential low-carbon technologies without sacrificing valuable living space.
smartPUC is an offsite-manufactured, prefabricated utility cupboard system to be installed within the unused roof space of new homes. It provides a dedicated services cupboard, without compromising liveable space, for futureready technologies such as larger hot water cylinders, heat pumps and solar PV inverters. By relocating these low-carbon technologies to the loft, smartPUC helps housebuilders preserve valuable living space, particularly in smaller plots where layout flexibility comes at a premium.
Lindridge Chase is a development of 178 two, three and four-bedroom homes. Following engagement with a Housing Association, 40 plots were selected to feature the smartPUC system to future-proof the homes. While the plots, at this stage, are powered by gas, the installation of smartPUC ensures that future technologies such as hot water cylinders and heat pumps can be retrofitted in the future, without any internal disruption or design changes.
As the industry moves away from gas heating and towards electric-based solutions, internal space can become a design challenge. smartPUC addresses this challenge by relocating services out of the living space, enabling flexibility in home design and preserving usable internal space.
Manufactured offsite in Smartroof’s factory-controlled environment under ISO 9001 quality assurance, smartPUC is delivered to site fully assembled. Up to four
units can be transported on a single Smartroof delivery and craned into place in a single day, minimising site disruption and speeding up installation.
The installation process also supports high health and safety standards. The unit is installed by a trained team under a single method statement, eliminating the need for multiple trades working at height. Dedicated space for a lifting system ensures that future maintenance or upgrades can be carried out safely and efficiently.
By introducing smartPUC into the 40 selected plots at Lindridge Chase, Taylor Wimpey has demonstrated an innovative and forward-thinking approach to housing design.
“We’re always looking for smart, practical innovations that deliver value for both homeowners and the environment,” said Dale Saunders Technical Compliance Director, Taylor Wimpey. “smartPUC is a great example of what can be achieved through close collaboration with our supply chain. It’s exciting to see the fruits of our labour in action at Lindridge Chase. This is exactly the kind of thinking the industry needs as we prepare for the Future Homes Standard.”
Having already picked up a number of industry accolades, including the Housebuilder Product Award consecutively in 2024 and 2025, smartPUC’s successful deployment at Lindridge Chase represents an important milestone. As the housebuilding sector continues its journey towards low-carbon, highperformance homes, Smartroof’s innovation looks set to play a defining role.
Source: www.smartroof.co.uk
McAvoy Secures Place on LHC’s £265million MB3 Framework
McAvoy has been appointed to the LHC Modular Buildings (MB3) Framework, having secured a place on all four workstreams: permanent modular buildings (education, offices and community buildings), healthcare facilities, rental of temporary modular buildings and provision of refurbished buildings.
This marks McAvoy’s third consecutive term on the LHC modular framework— an achievement that underlines its long-standing reputation for quality, reliability, and excellence in modular construction.
McAvoy has a proven track record of delivery under previous iterations of this framework, having successfully completed several projects including Kelmscott School, Lister Community School, and North Birkbeck Family Resilience and High
Needs Centre. These schemes showcase its ability to meet complex programme and quality requirements – delivering essential education and healthcare infrastructure with speed, efficiency, and minimal disruption.
The framework is accessible to a wide range of public sector bodies across GB, including local authorities, NHS Trusts, government departments, and the Ministry of Defence. It offers clients a reliable route to procure high-quality modular solutions with confidence. This latest success builds on McAvoy’s strong track record in public sector frameworks.
Stephen Clayton, Preconstruction Director at McAvoy, said: “Securing a place on all four workstreams across all regions of LHC MB3 is a fantastic achievement and a clear endorsement of our commitment to quality, innovation and customer service. We’re proud to be recognised as a trusted delivery partner for public sector clients—bringing certainty, sustainability and modern methods of construction to the heart of every project.”
Public sector clients can now access McAvoy’s full suite of modular services through the LHC framework, assured by a proven track record of delivering sustainable, high-quality solutions—on time and on budget. McAvoy’s inclusion in the MB3 Framework marks a major milestone in its growth and reaffirms its position as a leader in offsite manufacturing.
Source: www.mcavoygroup.com
Designing Low Carbon Fire Safe buildings and leading
the way in sustainable, compliant, and rapid
build offsite construction solutions.
Low Carbon Advantage
Innovaré structures use a high proportion of timber with naturally low embodied carbon. This significantly reduces steel content and embodied carbon by more than 40%. Innovaré can quantify embodied carbon savings by reducing the use of steel and concrete, while also enhancing sequestration by storing more carbon within the structure. Combined with airtight, low U-value design, timber ensures high energy efficiency, reduced heat loss, and consistently low operational CO2
Fire Safe Performance
We have undertaken testing to prove the fire resistance performance of our i-FAST panel and where the current industry standards are based on tests conducted with 3m panels in height. Innovaré tested using load-bearing panels of 5m in height at the UKAS accredited Thomas BellWright International Fire Test Laboratory in Dubai as the UK lacks the facilities to test panels over three meters in height. Fire mitigation is at the heart of our design and construction and we achieve this by using fire-resistant materials within our panelised systems, designing compartments that contain and slow the spread of fire.
Low Risk Rapid Build Solutions
Using large-format panels to deliver buildings accelerates construction by making less panel lifts it reduces programme and improves margins. By providing a rapid weathertight structure it enables early and concurrent trade access, protects follow-on works, accelerates the construction programme, allows external works such as landscaping to progress sooner, and supports faster overall project delivery once the building is sealed Low Risk Rapid build can be applied using the Innovaré Wrap, Infill or Full Structure Solutions.
Innovaré Offsite transforms construction with low carbon, fire safe products and low risk, rapid build solutions, making sustainable, compliant buildings achievable for every project.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), in its role as the Building Safety Regulator (BSR), has appointed CROSS-UK (Collaborative Reporting for Safer Structures) as the official voluntary reporting system for structural and fire safety until at least 2028. As part of the Government’s response to the Grenfell Tower fire, the 2022 Building Safety Act introduced strengthened legislation covering building safety and construction products. This includes a requirement for an official Voluntary Occurrence Reporting System (VORS). While the system is a critical part of the HSE’s mission to improve building safety, it must be operated independently of both the regulator and the Government.
CROSS-UK has been operating the system on an interim basis since April 2023 and is seen as a success story by the industry - a practical way of recognising risks, promoting culture change, and improving public
CROSS-UK Named as Official Reporting System for Building Safety
safety. Following a competitive tender process, CROSSUK has been appointed to run the service until at least 2028. Although appointed by the regulator, CROSS remains entirely independent, providing a trusted, confidential way for professionals in the construction industry and those responsible for managing buildings to voluntarily report safety concerns.
CROSS provides a confidential platform for professionals to report safety concerns, near-misses, and insights from across the built environment. Reports are anonymised, reviewed by experts, and shared with the industry to promote learning and improve standards. Established in 2005 by the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) and the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), CROSS-UK has been supported by the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) since 2021.
Philip White, Director of Building Safety, Health and Safety Executive said: “Everyone deserves a safe and accountable built environment, and as the official operator of the Voluntary Occurrence Reporting System, CROSS will play a key role in making that happen. This public interest appointment promotes openness, learning, and culture change - exactly what’s needed to raise standards, improve building safety, and prevent future tragedies.”
Yasmin Becker, Chief Executive Officer, Institution of Structural Engineers added: “CROSS is an important and trusted function of the building safety regime, now confirmed as the Voluntary Occurrence Reporting System until 2028. The HSE’s decision means there will be much needed continuity for the voluntary reporting of building and fire safety issues. The Institution of Structural Engineers is pleased to continue supporting CROSS-UK as part of our commitment to structural safety.”
Paul Livesey, Head of Operations, CROSS added: “CROSS-UK is honoured to be appointed as the official voluntary reporting system for structural and fire safety under the Building Safety Act until 2028. CROSS has always championed the power of sharing knowledge to prevent future failures, and this appointment reinforces the critical role of confidential reporting in driving a safer built environment. We encourage all construction professionals to contribute by reporting concerns and near-misses. Each report can make a difference.”
Making a report to CROSS is simple and quick. Read more about the process at: www.cross-safety.org
Western Unveils New Equipment Investment
Western, one of the UK and Ireland’s most experienced offsite construction specialists, has invested £1million in a new fully automated timber panel production line at its headquarters in Coalisland. The recent acquisition is the latest in an ongoing multi-million-pound programme to enhance innovation, operational efficiency and sustainability in construction.
Key equipment includes an X-MULTI Multifunction Bridge and an X-FRAME Assembly Station – a CNC-controlled unit that automates the placement, clamping, and nailing of wall panels. With a touch-screen interface and real-time assembly visuals, it ensures accuracy and consistency across every panel. These advancements are underpinned by hsbcad’s integrated design platform, which allows for digital fabrication workflows and rapid design-to-manufacture capabilities.
The new timber panel production line, developed in partnership with Modular Building Automation and JJ Smith Woodworking Machinery, brings together the latest automation technology with powerful digital design tools. It has been designed to deliver higher output, greater precision and improved safety alongside the provision of high-performance, energy-efficient building systems. At the heart of Western’s latest initiative is a suite of next-generation machinery designed
for one-person operation, enabling the manufacture of open and closed timber wall panels with minimal manual handling.
The new automated timber panel production line will enhance delivery timelines while supporting Western’s ambitious carbon reduction goals. Through ongoing refining of its off-site manufacturing processes, the company can reduce site disruption, minimise material waste, and ensure tighter building tolerances.
The new automated line also enhances Western’s ability to meet increasing demand for faster, greener construction in keeping with the UK and Irish government’s drive towards net zero buildings. “This isn’t just a leap in technology – it’s a statement about where we’re headed,” said Western’s Managing Director, Rory McGuigan. “We’re investing in the future of construction. That means making our operations smarter, faster, and more sustainable.”
Western’s ‘Single Source Supply Chain’ model means Western can offer endto-end project in-house supply chain management that ensures cost certainty, adherence to agreed-upon timelines, transparency, and consistent quality.
Source: www.westernbuild.com
Designed by RCKa architects in collaboration with Rollalong and installed by Wates Residential, the home aims to ease London’s housing challenges, where one in 21 children are currently homeless and councils spend an estimated £4million each day placing families in temporary accommodation. Many of these homes are below standard, with some children growing up in hotel rooms and B&Bs lacking adequate space for sleeping, studying, or meal preparation.
Over the past nine months, RCKa has been working with Wates and modular specialist Rollalong to develop a prototype home designed to address this issue.
Manufactured in Rollalong’s Dorset factory, the home is fully space-standard compliant, has a 60-year design life, and can be installed within a matter of hours.
The demonstrator module was first installed outside the Building Centre in Store Street in January, as part of the New Homes in New Ways exhibition. It
Prototype Modular Home to Tackle Homelessness Unveiled Outside London City Hall
later moved to Romford Market, where it remained for six months before being relocated to the nearby Waterloo Estate, where 18 new family homes are set to be delivered using the same system.
RCKa say: “Our two-bedroom apartment comprises three modules, each 2.9m wide ensuring that they can be delivered into constrained urban locations without specialist logistics or police escorts. The bedrooms have been designed to sleep two people in each, meeting the space standards for a three-person apartment but allowing for an additional bed space if required.
“By inserting a fourth standard module between the living room and the second bedroom—as the plan here demonstrates—a three-bedroom home can easily be created. Again, this meets the space requirements of a three-bedroom, four-person home, but can comfortably accommodate five, or even six people achieving 90% of the space required under the standards.
The modules are joined together along the wall lines, allowing them to be taken apart to be easily moved from place to place—enabled by a hot-rolled
NHBC Foundation Releases New 1.5 million Homes Report
The NHBC Foundation has published a new report ‘Maintaining quality in the design and construction of 1.5 million homes’. While the government is working to identify the barriers to delivering new homes, such as reforming the National Planning Policy Framework and reassessing housing targets for local authorities, the NHBC Foundation is keen to highlight the importance of quality during the planning and build process.
In January 2025, the NHBC Foundation hosted 16 industry stakeholders from 12 sectorleading companies and organisations as part of an exploratory roundtable. The objective of the meeting was to identify positive recommendations for government and industry to ensure quality is maintained in the design and construction of new homes. The conclusions drawn from this in-depth discussion informed the NHBC’s latest report.
This collaboratively compiled report recognises the concept and definition of quality is subjective and that there are different aspects of quality in homes. This can include, but may not be limited to:
• Perceived quality – the quality of finishes, aesthetics and materials used
• In-built quality – structural and technical details
• Design quality – the overall design of a home and how well it functions
• Fundamental quality – achieving compliance with minimum standards
• Transactional quality – the service provided through the purchasing process.
While this report focuses on quality during design and construction, maintaining consistent high standards throughout the build and avoiding latent defects, ensuring all homes meet regulatory requirements and consumer codes is the fundamental basis to improving quality within house building. As the industry prepares to increase housing output, the historic trend between increased volume and a reduction in quality must be broken.
Richard Smith, Head of Standards, Innovation & Research at NHBC commented: “I’d like to thank
steel frame that makes each module stiff enough to be lifted. Even so, the homes achieve NHBC Accepts and BOPAS warranties, full Building Regulations compliance and are designed for a minimum sixty-year life.”
The module was transferred from Havering to Newham, where it underwent refurbishment. It has now been installed outside City Hall, where it will remain on display for the next four weeks.
Launching the module, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Residential Development, Tom Copley, said: “We all recognise we’ve got a housing crisis in London, and for people who are homeless and living in temporary accommodation, they are at the absolute sharpest end of this. One of the key solutions is building the homes that we need, and in particular, social rented homes. And we also need interim solutions as well, while we build the social rented homes that we desperately need. That’s why solutions like this are so vital.”
all the contributors to our roundtable discussion for their time, their valuable insights and the recommendations made. With this report we hope to not only demonstrate that maintaining quality while increasing build volume is crucial but also support better decision-making and help promote the policies and drive the actions needed to deliver against the target of 1.5 million new homes.”
The NHBC Foundation report ‘Maintaining quality in the design and construction of 1.5 million homes’ is available to download at: www.nhbc.co.uk/maintaining-quality
English National Ballet The Avenue MSCP
Record Breaking 50 metre Banagher W Beams
Silvertown Tunnel Segments
English National Ballet
Everton Stadium Terracing
GOLDBECK, a leading European specialist in systemised construction, has announced a strategic manufacturing partnership with Oranmore Precast to produce precast concrete slabs for its multi-storey car park projects (MSCPs) across the United Kingdom. This marks a significant milestone for GOLDBECK and its UK growth strategy, enabling the company to localise production of key system components for the first time.
The new partnership will enable the company to replicate its rigorous production and quality control standards while manufacturing within the UK, in Lound, Nottinghamshire, at a purpose-built facility for GOLDBECK on the Oranmore Precast site. The partnership strengthens GOLDBECK’s network of production facilities across Europe.
“This partnership with Oranmore Precast represents a major step forward for GOLDBECK in the UK,” said Craig Davies, UK Managing Director. “Having been established here for over two decades, consistently delivering high-quality buildings manufactured precisely to the needs of each customer, we are incredibly excited
GOLDBECK and Oranmore Precast Set Benchmark for Localised Production
to begin local production of our system components in this country. This move significantly strengthens our commitment to the UK market, aligning with our vision for building excellence.”
The decision to partner with a UK manufacturer, also confirms GOLDBECK’s dedication to sustainability, a move that reduces transportation, thereby contributing to a lower carbon footprint. This means that for the immediate future, the company’s plans will focus on incorporating Oranmore’s precast car park slabs into all its UK MSCP projects.
“We are proud to mark a significant milestone in our partnership with GOLDBECK with the completion of a purpose-built fully automated carousel plant dedicated to the production of their premium car park slabs,” said Ross Melville and Richard Burke, Joint Managing Directors at Oranmore Precast. “This achievement reflects over 12 months of close collaboration between both teams, working together with a shared focus on efficiency, quality and sustainability.”
In broader terms, the partnership represents a long-term investment in the UK’s construction infrastructure, aligning with GOLDBECK’s vision for scalable, systemised building solutions that combine quality, sustainability and efficiency. As Oranmore Precast’s dedicated manufacturing facility in Nottinghamshire has recently gone live, the collaboration also sets a new benchmark for localised industrial production and positions both companies at the forefront of innovation in UK construction.
Source: www.goldbeck.co.uk
Darwin Group® Responds to NHS 10-Year Plan
Darwin Group® has welcomed the Government’s new NHS 10-Year Plan and its focus on bringing care closer to communities. However, the healthcare infrastructure specialist notes that unless the role of secondary care is prioritised alongside primary and neighbourhood health, the patient journey will remain blocked and fragmented.
As experts in volumetric modular healthcare construction, Darwin Group supports the plan’s ambition to expand GP access and invest in neighbourhood health centres. It’s On-Demand® range of rapid-build, flexible healthcare facilities offers a ready-to-go solution to expand local capacity with speed and cost efficiency.
On- Demand® Healthcare Facilities are clinically approved spaces which help alleviate patient admission, discharge and flow challenges during times of peak demand and help pave the way for a more adaptable and resilient estate. These bridge the gap between mobile and permanent solutions and deliver capacity with a unique combination of speed, quality, and patient-centred design. They also offer additional capacity to support a wide range of clinical requirements, including ambulance handovers, same-day emergency care (SDEC), medical ward space, discharge lounges, screening clinics, consultation rooms and more.
Yet, despite the focus on community care, Darwin Group urges the Government not to lose sight of the ongoing crisis in secondary care estates. In fact, there is concern that the entire patient journey will continue to break down if the continued pressure on hospitals and specialist services is not also addressed.
Nick Dawe, Managing Director at Darwin Group, said: “We absolutely support the ambition to move more care into communities. But unless hospitals have safe, modern spaces and the capacity to support specialist services, the system will continue to come under strain. You can’t fix the front door while the back door is jammed.”
With record waiting lists, a maintenance backlog of £13.8billion, and a hospital estate that’s struggling to meet modern standards, the secondary care system is under significant pressure. While the 10-Year Health Plan promises progress, Darwin Group is calling for renewed investment and smarter, more agile infrastructure solutions to address bottlenecks across the whole system.
Dawe added: “The secondary care estate must not be forgotten. If we’re serious about delivering a health system that works end-to-end, hospitals need to be part of the solution, not left behind. Flexible, future-proofed estates are critical to making the 10-Year Plan deliverable.”
Source: www.darwingroup.co.uk
BE-ST Innovation Campus Relaunches with Two New Facilities
BE-ST (Built Environment – Smarter Transformation) officially relaunched its Innovation Campus at the start of September, by welcoming stakeholders to see the newly equipped Mass Timber Centre of Excellence and Scotland’s newly retrofitted National Retrofit Centre.
The event, held at BE-ST’s Innovation Campus in Hamilton, marked the first event in the BE-ST Fest 2025 Fringe Festival and brought together industry leaders, academics, policymakers, and innovators to showcase the Campus’s new facilities, explore opportunities for collaboration, and mark the start of the next chapter for BE-ST.
Supported by Scottish Funding Council and host institution Edinburgh Napier University, the Mass Timber Centre of Excellence now houses £1.5million of newly acquired, state-of-the-art mass timber postprocessing equipment and fully integrated extraction system. This will complement existing capabilities and further enhance production capacity, precision finishing, and health and safety processes.
The Centre provides the UK construction sector with access to advanced timber manufacturing capabilities, including the largest commercially available CNC machine in the UK and full-scale production of cross laminated timber (CLT), nail laminated timber (NLT), and glulam. The facility will be
capable of an annual output of around 8,000m³ when operated at full capacity, on a single shift. It will play a pivotal role in strengthening local supply chains, creating jobs, and reducing carbon emissions by accelerating the adoption of UK-grown mass timber solutions. With the UK currently importing around 73,000m³ of mass timber each year, the Centre aims to unlock significant economic, environmental, and social benefits by onshoring the production and use of mass timber products to Scotland.
“The Mass Timber Centre of Excellence opens up huge opportunities for the construction sector,” said Sam Hart, Associate Director of Manufacturing and Housing at BE-ST. “By investing in mass timber, we are not just advancing low carbon approaches to construction, we are also investing in economic growth, creating jobs, and providing solutions to some key challenges facing the built environment sector.”
BE-ST also celebrated the reopening of Scotland’s National Retrofit Centre (SNRC), a facility dedicated to scaling retrofit solutions and skills across the UK, following the completion of the Centre’s own deep retrofit. The retrofit project was delivered by Clark Contracts and part-funded through Phase 1 of Scotland’s Public Sector Heat Decarbonisation Fund. Edinburgh Napier University, administrator of BE-ST, was awarded
£1.2million through the fund, which is delivered by Salix on behalf of the Scottish Government.
The SNRC is designed to support the construction sector to tackle the pressing challenge of retrofitting existing buildings to reduce energy demand, lower emissions, and improve the quality, comfort, and performance of buildings in the UK. It provides a space for hands-on training, demonstration of retrofit technologies, and collaboration between academia, industry and government and public sector clients.
Caitriona Jordan, Associate Director of Retrofit and Energy Efficiency, added: “Scotland’s National Retrofit Centre is the hub for developing retrofit skills and knowledge, both through hands-on training and by serving as a living case study. Our mission is to coordinate and support Scotland’s journey to decarbonise its existing buildings.
Together, the two facilities are positioned to address some of the most urgent challenges facing the UK: the climate emergency, the housing crisis, rising energy costs, and the need to deliver high-quality, sustainable homes and buildings at scale, while also creating new economic and skills opportunities for Scotland’s built environment and construction supply chain.
Source: www.be-st.build
KEY MODULAR CONSTRUCTION COMPONENTS
The demand for high-quality modular buildings is increasing rapidly and with it, the need for high-performance components that deliver speed, precision and safety.
As part of the SIG Group, Steadmans, Euroform and Mayplas bring decades of experience and product innovation to support your modular projects from the ground up.
Whether you’re assembling offsite volumetric modules or designing panelised solutions, our range of expertly engineered systems integrate seamlessly for fast-track delivery, regulatory compliance and performance.
Two senior hires at LHC Procurement Group (LHCPG) are strengthening the organisation’s focus on technical excellence and operational delivery. Graham Collie has been promoted as Director of Product Innovation, while Rory Evans has taken the reins as the new Regional Director of LHC.
Graham, who joins the role following his appointment as interim head of technical procurement office (TPO) and supplier relationships earlier in the year, brings a wealth of construction and commercial expertise to the position. A qualified quantity surveyor, he has over a decade of experience across local authorities, housing associations, and private sector contractors, including previous work as a technical support manager within LHCPG’s Scottish division, Scottish Procurement Alliance (SPA).
In his new role, Graham is responsible for overseeing the development of LHCPG’s public sector construction frameworks, ensuring their timely delivery to align with the organisation’s Gold Standard commitments. Graham said: “It’s hugely
LHC Procurement Group to Boost Innovation and Social Value
gratifying to be contributing to a strong, positive culture at LHCPG. I am continuing to build solid relationships with the team, to help them deliver key products, and formalise processes that set us up for long-term success. There’s so much potential here, and I’m excited to help unlock it.”
Leading LHCPG’s activities across London, the South East and the Midlands, Rory is making use of his background spanning more than 20 years in sales. He is focused on strengthening relationships with public sector clients and supporting the procurement of construction and refurbishment projects. “In my role, I act as a key conduit between clients and LHC’s appointed contractors, ensuring the seamless delivery of works that bring tangible benefits to communities,” Rory said. “I am particularly inspired by LHCPG’s not-for-profit ethos and its role in reinvesting into communities. Through the Community Benefit Fund, it helps local authorities to make impactful improvements tailored to local needs, such as park upgrades or community hall refurbishments.”
Clive Feeney, LHC Procurement Group CEO, added: “Graham and Rory bring complementary strengths to our leadership team at a critical time of growth and development for LHCPG. Both are committed to our mission of delivering social value and long-term outcomes for the public sector, and I’m delighted to welcome them into these roles.”
Source: www.lhcprocure.org.uk
UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard CEO Appointed
Katie Clemence-Jackson was recently appointed as the CEO of Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard Limited – the company that has been established to own and manage the Buildings Standard (the Standard). The Standard is an initiative backed by the BBP, BRE, Carbon Trust, CIBSE, IStructE, LETI, RIBA, RICS and the UKGBC, which establishes a definition for a Net Zero Carbon Building for each of the main sectors and building typologies in UK real estate.
The Pilot Version of the Standard was published in September 2024, and over 200 individual projects are currently involved in testing the detailed application of the rule book against real world issues of design, construction and operation. In May 2025, an open tender and a PQQ was issued for the appointment of a Verification Administrator in order to put in place a structure for building owners and occupiers to apply for confirmation of their conformity to the Standard, once Version 1 is published at the end of this year.
David Partridge, Chair of the Governance Board of the Standard, explained: “It is hugely important that we put in place a robust and long lasting structure to take the Standard forward, after the publication of Version 1 at the end of this year – which has involved
a truly radical collaboration between so many members of the UK real estate industry, over the last three years. Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard Ltd (NZCBS), is a not-for-profit company set up by the Founding Members behind the Standard, to own it and to operate the process of verifying compliance, as well as keeping the Standard updated and producing future Versions of it. Appointing Katie ClemenceJackson as our CEO, is a big statement of intent – her job will be to set up the executive secretariat that will run NZCBS Ltd and the Standard and ensure that its future is secure.”
Katie Clemence-Jackson is a CIBSE member and the Chair of CIBSE’s Sustainability Special Interest Group. She previously chaired the Standard’s Technical Steering Group, culminating in the publication of the Pilot Version, last year. Katie added: “Providing meaningful, measurable decarbonisation in the UK built environment sector is something about which I care deeply. Having previously chaired the Standard’s Technical Steering Group, I have seen firsthand the fantastic contributions that have shaped it – both from the Standard’s technical specialists, and from expert volunteers across the industry.
As CEO, I will take the lead on continuing the Standard’s trailblazing trajectory, and building the firm foundations and connections it needs to continue making a huge impact across the country.”
Source: www.nzcbuildings.co.uk
(L-R) Rory Evans, Graham Collie
For more information on the STRUCTURAL TIMBER CONFERENCE, contact Emily Dyer on 01743 290025 or emily.dyer@radar-media.co.uk
NCC, BIRMINGHAM
Following a year of remarkable achievements and innovations, the conference promises to showcase the benefits and explore the possibilities of timber construction. With influential speakers and engaging discussions, the STRUCTURAL TIMBER CONFERENCE 2025 will address the challenges, present solutions and analyse successes, that help drive the industry forward.
BOOK YOUR TICKETS TODAY!
Tickets include access to the Conference, Exhibition and lunch and refreshments throughout the day.
Book tickets at wwwstructuraltimberawards.co.uk
For more information on the STRUCTURAL TIMBER AWARDS, contact Ellie Guest on 01743 290005 or ellie.guest@radar-media.co.uk
Featuring compelling examples of what can be achieved using the most natural and sustainable of materials, the STRUCTURAL TIMBER AWARDS will also be taking place on the evening of 01 October 2025 at the National Conference Centre, following on from the Conference. Heading into the eleventh year, the Awards will celebrate outstanding projects, inspiring individuals and the coming together of an industry.
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
The sponsorship packages are already selling fast –limited opportunities remaining for 2025!
For more information contact David Smith on david.smith@radar-media.co.uk or 01743 290021
Published fortnightly, Offsite Opinion seeks out the thoughts and views from key personalities within the offsite world – from those making things happen in the factory environment and on-site – to all those thought-leaders and board level decision makers. It captures the key conversations of those behind shaping the future of the built environment.
July/August offered a wide lens on the sector’s evolution, from digital twins enhancing supply chain oversight to pragmatic applications of MMC in healthcare. Contributors explored the evolution of BOPAS in building confidence, shared lessons from embedding continuous improvement, and highlighted how thoughtful design can elevate modular projects. Collectively, these perspectives reflect an industry balancing innovation, collaboration and quality, while pushing boundaries of what offsite can achieve.
Digital twins and adaptive workflows
Irfan Čustović, a PhD candidate at TU Delft, argues that scalable digital twin systems offer a pragmatic solution – not through replacement of human oversight, but by enhancing it.
“Consider the unpredictability inherent in construction supply chains: a delayed delivery of a prefabricated façade element could result in costly downtime of onsite crews and lifting equipment if not promptly managed. Here comes the digital twin into play – it serves as a
Pragmatic views of offsite in healthcare
James Almond, Director at P+HS Architects, shares his insight into how design teams and modular manufacturers can collaborate to meet specific client needs in compressed timeframes.
“The truth is, offsite doesn’t suit every building type. Some areas of healthcare lend themselves well to MMC, while others are more difficult. If we take the New Hospital Programme (NHP) as an example, it’s aligned with the ProCure23 framework, which
living picture of what is happening in the factory and on the site. Specifically, digital twin systems merge data streams from sensors, machine logs, GPS tracking, foreman updates, and weather forecasts into a cohesive, realtime visualisation.”
Read in full: https://tinyurl.com/96dchxs2
stipulates that 70% of the project must involve MMC. Now, how that 70% is made up is open to interpretation. It could include innovations in M&E, in structural systems, or it could involve volumetric solutions. All these options are explored to achieve the right delivery solution.”
https://tinyurl.com/2fskyb9d
How BOPAS is evolving to support offsite construction
Sean McCormick of LRQA outlines how BOPAS, the Buildoffsite Property Assurance Scheme, is evolving in response to the sector’s digital transition and growing demand for reliability among investors, insurers and lenders.
“When the track record of the offsite sector was considered, the post second world war ‘prefabs’ came to mind and the terms ‘cheap’ and ‘temporary’ were linked to the offsite systems. As a result of this legacy issue offsite was perceived, albeit incorrectly, by the public,
Learning from every project
Steve Hawes, Director of Engineering at Stelling Properties, shares how the company is embedding a culture of continuous improvement into its approach to modular installation.
“I’ve been with the business for about 18 months, and I’ve certainly led that process during my time, but it was already in place before I joined. I’d like to think I’ve helped accelerate it, but many of these ideas haven’t come from me or even my design team. They’re
Designing beyond the module
Tina John, Director of Urban Sketch an SME developer and development advisory, shares insights from her experience in co-living and high-density housing.
“Thoughtful articulation at the top whether through contrasting forms, setbacks, or material changes elevates the building’s identity and enhances long-range views, giving the scheme a distinctive presence on the street. The details matter too. What’s the brick selection? How are windows expressed? Even
as poor quality. Recognising that offsite represented the only sustainable solution for future construction and therefore the myths and perceived risks around its application needed to be dispelled, LRQA and RICS agreed to work together on a solution.”
Read in full: https://tinyurl.com/8fpb2bdd
coming from the guys on the shop floor, especially those who’ve been involved onsite. I’ve been involved in my fair share of projects, but there are team members who’ve spent weeks doing these specific tasks. They know better than anyone where the pain points are.”
Read in full: https://tinyurl.com/3pht3vbk
within the constraints of modular construction, smart, creative choices in materials and detailing can dramatically transform a façade. It’s about being inventive with what’s available and using it in unexpected ways to deliver character and visual interest.”
Read in full: https://tinyurl.com/5b4ywwc6
All these industry snapshots plus much more are published on www.offsitehub.co.uk. OFFSITE OPINION is published every two weeks on LinkedIn via the Explore Offsite Page. Be sure to scan the QR code, follow the page and subscribe to the newsletter to hear more about the latest views across the offsite industry and get them direct to your mailbox. If you’d like to feature in an upcoming Offsite Opinion contact Harry Wright at harry.wright@radar-media.co.uk
Structuring Intelligence
Eva Magnisali, Founder & CEO at DataForm Lab, outlines how they are part of a movement that is bridging design and manufacturing in offsite construction.
OFFSITE CONSTRUCTION is widely recognised as one of the industry’s best opportunities to deliver projects faster, more predictably, and more sustainably. Yet despite its promise, manufacturers continue to face familiar barriers: design and production teams working in silos, project information that becomes outdated as soon as changes occur, rigid schedules, and factory bottlenecks that undermine performance.
Beyond digitisation
Digitisation has helped make some of these challenges more manageable, but replacing drawings with digital files is not the same as transforming processes. To unlock the full potential of offsite, manufacturers need structured, connected data and systems that adapt dynamically. This is where DataForm Lab has focused its efforts: creating the digital foundations that allow manufacturers to embed automation and AI meaningfully and scale their operations with confidence.
The DataForm Lab platform
DataForm Lab’s platform is designed to close the long-standing gap between design and production. At its core is a configuration tool that automatically translates design intent into production-ready outputs – including drawings, bills of materials, and machine code – while remaining live and responsive to design updates. This ensures every design decision is informed by factory constraints and capabilities, eliminating costly late-stage rework.
Beyond configuration, the platform introduces dynamic scheduling and factory simulation. Unlike static schedules that become obsolete when conditions change, the system adapts in real time to fluctuating demand, product variation, and resource availability. Instead of relying on spreadsheets or disconnected systems, manufacturers can model operations dynamically, test scenarios, and optimise performance before issues arise.
Inherent flexibility
Flexibility is central to our approach. The platform is both sector – and material – agnostic, supporting timber, steel, and hybrid systems across 2D panelised and 3D volumetric applications. Its modular architecture allows seamless integration with existing systems and equipment, adapting to the unique workflows of each manufacturer rather than imposing
rigid templates. Crucially, it is inherently scalable –equally suited to supporting smaller factories as it is to optimising enterprise-level operations.
Structured data: the foundation for intelligent manufacturing
Ultimately, our ambition goes beyond digitising processes. We see structured data and AI as enablers of intelligent, resilient supply chains. By aligning automation with commercial objectives, we help manufacturers not only improve operational performance but also strengthen their strategic positioning in a competitive market.
Looking ahead, the importance of structured data will only grow. Tools such as AI will play an increasing role in forecasting performance and testing ‘what-if’ scenarios, but their value depends entirely on the consistency and connectivity of the data they draw upon. Without this foundation, AI risks amplifying noise rather than generating insight. At DataForm Lab, we are committed to leading the shift from digitisation to intelligence – connecting design, manufacturing, and automation in a way that makes scalable, sustainable industrialisation of construction a reality.
Image 1-2:
DataForm Lab’s platform is designed to close the long-standing gap between design and production
Image 3:
Eva Magnisali, Founder & CEO at DataForm Lab
Building Better with Offsite Technology
The Explore Offsite Housing Conference returns later this year and will be taking place at the National Conference Centre, Birmingham on 25-26 November 2025.
THE UK GOVERNMENT’S ambition to deliver 1.5 million new homes over the next parliament has made many headlines in recent months, and the announcement of the £16billion National Housing Bank to help speed up the delivery of housing via Homes England has focused minds. This facility will accelerate housebuilding and with a planned leverage of £53billion of additional private investment, this will create jobs and potentially deliver over 500,000 new homes. Add to this a further £39billion earmarked for the Affordable Homes Programme and there is significant funding available to help solve some of the UK’s housing riddles. Offsite providers have a pivotal role to play in improving the levels of energy efficient, high quality sustainable homes. The role of industrialised construction, kit-of-parts approaches and homes ‘pattern book’ options are changing the way that clients, developers and social housing providers approach housing provision.
Even with the exit from the offsite housing sector of several high profile volumetric modular providers over the last few years, there are still enormous opportunities available for the adoption of offsite construction. The impetus to change and revolutionise the housebuilding industry has not gone away.
For those in the sector with fresh ideas and innovative technologies, the nationwide housing crisis can be reduced with
industrialised methods having the potential to change forever the ways new homes are designed, manufactured and erected.
Explore Offsite Housing will create a platform for these issues to be highlighted in detail. The event will bring together housing industry leaders and offsite manufacturing specialists to discuss the growing opportunities that the housing dilemma presents for offsite thinking, and for construction clients, project managers, professional advisers, and the supply chain to explore the latest offsite construction solutions across a range of materials and factory-based technologies
This two-day conference and exhibition will enable networking with industry experts and cover the latest issues in homes delivery, funding strategies, technology transfer, digital solutions and provides a
fantastic opportunity for members of the wider construction industry to tap into the world of offsite. The event format provides a dynamic and interactive learning experience for all visitors through detailed presentations and a wide array of exhibitors.
Images 1-3:
Explore Offsite Housing will highlight the ways that offsite manufacture can change and revolutionise the housebuilding industry within many economic complications
SAVE THE DATE
25-26 NOVEMBER 2025
NCC, BIRMINGHAM
The UK housing market is facing a perfect storm — with developers and housebuilders contending with ongoing skills shortages, material cost volatility, persistent inflation, and painfully high borrowing rates. Despite the first interest rate drop in four years (August 2024), pressure remains intense across the entire residential sector.
Now, with the Labour Government’s pledge to deliver 1.5 million new homes in five years, the question is no longer why we need to build differently — but how.
Explore Offsite Housing 2025 – taking place 25–26 November at the NCC, Birmingham – cuts through political noise and industry uncertainty to focus on practical, scalable solutions for meeting these targets using modern methods of construction (MMC) and offsite manufacturing.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
The event aims to attract: construction clients: housebuilders, developers, build to rent providers, construction professionals: architects, architectural technologists, designers, surveyors, engineers; facilities managers; building product manufacturers and suppliers.
R&D Tax Credits –the lifeblood of innovation
In a rapidly evolving built environment, innovation is no longer optional – it’s essential. Darren Richards, Managing Director of leading offsite and industrialised construction experts, Cogent Consulting, illustrates why it’s the lifeblood driving business development.
THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR, historically known for slow technological uptake and fragmented supply chains, is undergoing a radical transformation through offsite manufacturing and industrialised construction. At the heart of this change is Research and Development (R&D) – the engine driving smarter, faster, safer, and more sustainable building methods.
R&D is the hands-on development of new systems, smarter processes, and advanced materials that directly improve how we build. Critically, much of this innovation qualifies for R&D Tax Credits from the UK Government’s HMRC – a vital but often underused opportunity for businesses across the construction value chain.
Offsite manufacturing is reshaping the way buildings are designed and delivered. Whether it’s volumetric modules, panelised systems, prefabricated MEP assemblies, or integrated platform solutions – every innovation brings an opportunity to rethink traditional methods and solve longstanding challenges. However, unlocking this potential requires structured and continuous R&D investment. Here are what I think are some key drivers of R&D activity in the offsite sector:
System innovation and product development
Developing new or improved modular, panelised, or hybrid systems is a cornerstone of offsite innovation. Companies are rethinking how components interconnect, perform under load, respond to moisture, fire or thermal transfer, and deliver airtightness – all under factorycontrolled conditions. From bathroom pods to prefabricated utility
cupboards, and upstream prefabricated MEP solutions the effort involved in developing and testing such systems often qualifies as R&D.
Smart and sustainable material use
New material choices are critical in meeting sustainability targets, reducing embodied carbon, and complying with evolving regulation. Whether experimenting with bio-based insulation, low-carbon concrete, recycled materials or advanced composites – trialling, testing, and integrating new materials into offsite systems is a classic example of qualifying R&D.
Process
and assembly improvements
Offsite construction thrives on repeatability, but that doesn’t mean one-size-fits-all. Many manufacturers are customising their factory processes or tweaking installation methods to suit specific site or project needs. Improvements in assembly sequencing, layout optimisation, or robotic assistance often involve technical uncertainty – a key criterion for R&D tax credit eligibility.
Digital design and manufacturing integration
Industrialised construction is increasingly powered by digital tools, generative design, parametric modelling, BIM-to-factory workflows, or automated quality assurance systems. Developing new digital processes or integrating software to enable better design co-ordination or digital fabrication is a form of R&D that often goes unrecognised.
DfMA and platform-led design strategies
Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) underpins offsite construction, and many companies are investing in platform-led strategies that promote interoperability, repeatability, and ease of assembly. Whether adapting existing systems or designing entirely new interfaces and structural approaches, the technical work involved frequently meets the HMRC criteria for R&D.
Prototyping and testing innovations
The development and trialling of prototypes – be it a new connection detail, an alternative floor cassette, or a full-size mock-up of a bathroom pod – are integral to product development. This stage often involves failures, refinements, and material substitutions, all of which are key indicators of qualifying R&D activity.
Responding to regulatory and market pressures
As regulatory demands tighten, particularly around fire safety, acoustics, and energy performance, offsite manufacturers are innovating rapidly to meet new standards. For example, re-engineering façade systems or adapting fire-stopping solutions to comply with the Building Safety Act involves both technical risk and problem-solving, which can be captured in an R&D claim.
The value of R&D tax relief
For over a decade, UK companies have operated under two separate R&D tax relief schemes: the SME scheme for smaller companies and the RDEC scheme for larger businesses. This changed dramatically in April 2024 when the Government merged these into a single system affecting all companies with accounting periods beginning on or after 1 April 2024. For offsite manufacturing businesses, this represents both opportunities and challenges that directly impact cash flow and project planning.
Under the new merged scheme, all companies now claim a 20% credit on qualifying R&D expenditure, delivering real cash benefits of 15-16.2% depending on your tax position. Crucially, you can now claim relief on grant-funded or client-subsidised R&D projects, which is particularly valuable for construction companies working on government contracts or innovation partnerships.
However, the new rules create significant restrictions around overseas work that could impact your supply chain. Only UK-based R&D staff, consultants, and workers are eligible, and any subcontracted R&D must typically be performed within the UK to qualify. This means, for example, if you are developing offsite system designs with European steel suppliers or using overseas software development teams you may lose relief on those costs.
COGENT CONSULTING
Cogent Consulting is uniquely positioned to support offsite and industrialised construction businesses in identifying, documenting, and successfully claiming R&D tax relief. With our technical background, factory knowledge, and understanding of project complexity, we know how to extract maximum value from eligible innovation.
From a cash flow perspective, the merged scheme operates as an above-the-line credit rather than the old SME cash refund system, which changes when and how you receive benefits. Most offsite manufacturing or construction businesses will use this mainstream scheme, though loss-making SMEs spending at least 30% of total costs on qualifying R&D can access the Enhanced R&D Intensive Support scheme with higher rates. The administrative process is streamlined compared to navigating multiple schemes, but businesses should review their R&D activities, consultancy use arrangements, and international partnerships to maximise relief under the new UK-focused rules.
Don’t get left behind
Innovation in construction is more than a buzzword –it’s a business imperative. With offsite manufacturing and industrialised construction gaining traction, companies across the supply chain are engaging in real, meaningful R&D every day. But recognising that effort and claiming the financial rewards requires expert insight and sector-specific knowledge.
Image 1
The opportunities and developments that qualify as R&D activity is huge
Image 2: Darren Richards, Managing Director, Cogent Consulting
The Scalable and Sustainable Choice
Randek’s customisable technology is helping EDGE Timber Frame adapt and scale efficiently and is proving to a successful partnership in delivering faster, smarter and sustainable construction.
EDGE TIMBER FRAME is delivering high-quality, precision-built timber structures across the North West, Cumbria, and South West Scotland. Operating from Penrith on the edge of the Lake District, the company delivers precision-engineered timber kits for bespoke homes, commercial buildings, and large-scale developments. Founded in 2021 by Graeme Batey, the company has grown rapidly by prioritising quality, efficiency, and a straightforward, hands-on approach.
Early engagement and efficient delivery
The company works with both repeat clients and new developers looking to transition from traditional masonry. “We’re not just a manufacturer, we work with developers and self-builders from the outset,” says Graeme says. “Getting the design right early on avoids delays and unnecessary costs later. One of our clients was a brick-and-block builder. He tried timber frames with us and hasn’t looked back. Speed and quality are key drivers – three units up in four days, with roofs on before Christmas in freezing temperatures. That’s the kind of efficiency that wins people over.”
Scaling up with Randek and aligning with EDGE’s future
A critical part of EDGE Timber Frame’s growth has been its investment in a Randek production line, with the impact felt across the business instantly. “I first spoke to Randek at a Structural Timber Association (STA) conference,” adds Graeme. “Initially, I thought we might be too small for their machinery, but after analysing our production needs, it became clear that investing in Randek would be a game-changer. The improvement in both speed and quality was almost immediate. It’s changed how we operate day-today. We can take on more projects with confidence, knowing that every panel is built to the highest standard. This investment allows us to scale up responsibly without ever compromising quality.”
Beyond speed, precision has been a major benefit and the flexibility of Randek’s system has also played a key role in EDGE Timber Frame’s expansion. “The machine takes pre-cut timber, places studs with pinpoint accuracy, and nails everything automatically. The process is seamless,” Graeme says. “It’s not just
about speed - it’s about quality and control. Randek isn’t just a supplier, they’re a long-term partner. They collaborated with us to fine-tune the production system, ensuring it aligned with our workflow. Their support has been invaluable in enhancing our processes and efficiency. Randek is open to modifications. We can adapt the line to our needs as we grow, which is crucial for us. That kind of adaptability gives us confidence that we can continue improving without outgrowing our systems.”
Future growth and strategic expansion
EDGE Timber Frame is focused on steady, strategic growth, ensuring that expansion is matched by a continued emphasis on quality and precision, and the company is refining its operations with an eye on future opportunities “Scaling up is important, but only if it’s done right,” says Graeme. “We’re not interested in rapid growth at the expense of quality. Our reputation is built on delivering a reliable, high-standard product, and that’s what will drive us forward. With Randek’s technology, we’ve increased efficiency while maintaining complete control over our output. That kind of investment means we can confidently take on larger projects without compromising standards. Our focus is on making well-informed, strategic decisions that will secure long-term success and industry leadership. We’ve built a solid foundation, and now it’s about making smart decisions to ensure long-term success.”
Image 1: Graeme Batey has overseen a huge transformation in productivity by investing in a Randek production line
TIMBER FRAME?
TIGHT GAME
Wernick Commits to Long-term Growth
The Wernick Group has invested more than £300million since 2020 – an ambitious and strategic commitment to long-term growth, innovation, and operational excellence.
IN 2024 alone, the Group recorded its highest annual capital expenditure to date, investing over £96 million. This substantial investment has been directed across multiple areas of the business, including the expansion of the hire fleet for accommodation and power, significant property developments, new plant and machinery, vehicles, and the acquisition of Rawley Plant Hire Limited.
Hire fleet accounted for the largest share of Wernick’s 2024 investment, with £70million allocated to significantly increase the number of rental assets across the Group’s core divisions. A key part of this investment also supported urgent Department for Education (DfE) requirements, delivering temporary classrooms for RAAC-affected schools, demonstrating Wernick’s agility and proven experience in public sector contracts.
A substantial portion of the fleet investment has focused on sustainable solutions, helping clients meet their net zero targets. This includes continued growth of the GreenSpace range of energy-efficient accommodation, as well as innovation within the temporary power division. Here, Wernick has invested in advanced battery storage and solar technologies
designed to reduce fuel consumption and lower carbon emissions, strengthening both environmental performance and customer value.
Wernick’s long-standing strategy of owning all its freehold properties continues to pay dividends. Recent developments at sites in Dundee, Aldridge and Dunston have been completed successfully, with further projects underway in Langley Mill, Glasgow, Cannock, and Inverness. These investments ensure all operating companies benefit from industry-leading facilities and excellent working environments for its people.
Jonathan Wernick, Chief Executive Officer, commented: “As a generational family business, we are focused on building a strong, sustainable future. This investment strategy reflects our confidence, our longterm vision, and our commitment to providing better solutions, facilities, and equipment – not only to maintain our position as a market leader, but to ensure we continue delivering the best for our clients and our people.”
Wernick have made a huge investment in its facilities and across the Group since 2020
Image 2
Jonathan Wernick speaking at a Wernick Seminar 2025
This milestone underscores Wernick’s ambition to raise industry standards, support national infrastructure needs, and deliver lasting value for clients and communities across Britain. Find out more at: www.wernick.co.uk
Image 1:
Rethinking Emergency Housing
John Bell, Group Managing Director at Stelling Properties discusses why modular construction methods offer a more dignified, sustainable and scalable response to a critical national housing problem.
AS THE NUMBER of households in temporary accommodation in England hits unprecedented levels, the conversation around emergency housing has reached a tipping point. The statistics are sobering. Over 127,000 households, including 165,000 children, are living in temporary accommodation and the figures continue to rise year-on-year. More than 43,000 of those families are in nightly-paid accommodation – hostels, B&Bs and hotels – representing a 47% increase in just 12 months according to the homeless charity Shelter.
For local authorities, this crisis is not just about numbers – it is about people, place, dignity, and cost. Families are being uprooted from their communities, moved out of boroughs, and placed into short-term accommodation that is often cramped, unsuitable and lacking even the most basic elements of what most of us would consider ‘home’.
In the meantime, the cost to housing providers is spiralling. Temporary accommodation already accounts for over £1.7billion of annual spend – a figure projected to rise by 71% to £3.9billion by 2029 if current trends continue. In many areas, the available supply of emergency housing, particularly which is fit for families, simply does not exist. So, the question is not just how to house people quickly, but how to deliver better emergency housing. How can the public sector provide a more sustainable, dignified, and financially viable response
to an emergency that continues to increase? This is where modular construction has a critical role to play.
A system under strain
Emergency housing is meant to be just that – temporary. However, the reality for many families is that they remain in poor-quality accommodation for months, sometimes years. Hotels, B&Bs and hostels – originally conceived for transient, individual users –are now being relied upon to house entire families. Not only is this deeply unsuitable, but it is also incompatible with long-term wellbeing.
Modular construction offers a way to shift the paradigm –moving from reactive, piecemeal fixes to proactive, scalable solutions. Unlike traditional construction, modular homes are manufactured offsite in a controlled environment and can be delivered to site fully fitted or shell only, ready for fitting out.
Local authorities are doing what they can in impossible circumstances. But the fundamental issue is that the housing system is not responding fast enough. New social housing is not coming forward at the pace required with issues around planning, regulatory changes and depleted capital budgets. The private rental sector is increasingly unaffordable or unwilling to accommodate those in need. It is a perfect storm of high demand, limited supply and constrained budgets – but the current short-term approach of using nightly-paid accommodation is no longer tenable.
Modular construction offers a way to shift the paradigm – moving from reactive, piecemeal fixes to proactive, scalable solutions.
Unlike traditional construction, modular homes are manufactured offsite in a controlled environment and can be delivered to site fully fitted or shell only, ready for fitting out.
Reframing emergency housing as public infrastructure
There is a broader point here about how we frame emergency housing. Too often it is seen as a short-term burden or crisis management tool. But if we reframe it as essential public infrastructure – such as schools or hospitals – then investing in better quality emergency housing becomes not just a cost, but an asset.
Emergency accommodation doesn’t have to mean substandard. Well-designed modular accommodation can be reused across multiple sites or transitioned into permanent affordable housing. With some foresight, today’s emergency housing solution can become tomorrow’s supported housing, key worker accommodation or affordable rental scheme.
Some local authorities are already pioneering this approach. Using modular stock on short-term leasehold sites or while land is available allows for quick wins without a protracted planning process. When a site is ready for development, the modules can be lifted and reused on another local authority site – a truly circular, resource-efficient approach to housing delivery.
From crisis response to systemic change
Modular construction is not a silver bullet. We still need strategic investment in permanent social housing, reform of the private rental sector, improvements to planning and upstream solutions to prevent homelessness in the first place. But modular
construction offers a solution to break the deadlock by moving from an emergency footing to a more resilient, long-term strategy at less cost.
The housing emergency demands action – not just in scale, but in approach. We can no longer afford to meet 21st-century housing challenges with 20thcentury delivery models.
Modular construction gives us the tools to act faster, smarter and more compassionately. It offers a genuine alternative to the revolving door of unsuitable emergency placements and spiralling costs. But for this potential to be realised, it will take courage and collaboration – from local authorities, from housing associations, from central government, and from construction industry. If we are to provide a housing system that treats everyone with dignity and respect – even in times of crisis – then we must be willing to embrace new thinking, and new building.
Fire Security: the Role of Modular Construction
As Richard Hipkiss, Development Director of the Modular and Portable Building Association (MPBA) points out clearly, fire resistance and building safety are no longer just compliance issues – they are defining factors in how the construction industry is perceived.
THE CONSTRUCTION industry has had to take a long, hard look at itself in recent years. High-profile tragedies have forced us all to raise our game. Safety cannot be compromised for cost savings or delivery speed. Occupants need absolute confidence that the places where they live, learn and work are built to the highest standards of fire protection. For modular methods, this is not a hurdle – it is an opportunity to demonstrate leadership.
Factory controlled manufacturing gives volumetric modular technology a unique advantage. We can embed fire resistance measures from the outset, with consistent application of fire rated materials and robust quality checks at every stage of production. Unlike traditional builds, where site conditions can create inconsistencies, modular systems benefit from repeatable processes that guarantee compliance. Put simply – when it comes to fire performance, precision matters.
Holistic building approach
At MPBA, we champion a whole building approach. Fire resistance is never just about a wall panel or a doorset, it is about how every component interacts. Non-combustible cladding, high-performance insulation, compartmentation, fire-stopping around service penetrations – these are not isolated details, they are parts of a system that has to perform under pressure. If there is a weak link, the whole building is compromised.
This is why rigorous testing and certification are non-negotiable. Our members put modular systems through their paces in demanding fire performance trials, from spread of flame resistance to structural integrity under extreme heat. Crucially, these tests are conducted not just on materials but on completed assemblies – proof that the system as a whole can deliver. Certification is not about ticking boxes, it is about giving regulators, building owners and end users the confidence they deserve. This is of vital importance in the education and healthcare settings, where many of our members operate.
But safety does not end at the factory gate. Once modules arrive on-site, the way they are installed and connected is pivotal. A joint not properly sealed, a cavity left unprotected – these details can undermine performance. This is why we place heavy emphasis
on training and competency. Our guidance ensures that site teams understand exactly how to maintain the fire integrity of modules throughout installation. The discipline of following through on-site is just as important as the engineering that goes into production.
The pace of innovation in this space is exciting. Material science is delivering non-combustible insulation with both thermal efficiency and fire resilience. Modular systems are being designed to integrate active protection – sprinklers, detection, alarms – as standard, not optional extras. This kind of forward thinking not only strengthens safety but also helps streamline compliance in line with tightening regulations.
Taking safety to the next level
Make no mistake, the regulatory environment is shifting, and rightly so. Stricter rules provide clarity and raise the bar across the construction sector. But we encourage our members not to treat compliance as the ceiling. Meeting the letter of the law is one thing. Building trust, reputation and long-term value means going further – exceeding standards rather than just meeting them.
Collaboration is the final piece of the puzzle. Fire safety is a shared responsibility. Manufacturers,
designers, contractors, regulators and clients all play a role. At MPBA, we foster collaboration by creating platforms where best practice is shared and lessons are disseminated. Our role is to keep the conversation moving forward, ensuring no one works in isolation.
The bottom line? Fire safety is about protecting lives. If modular construction is going to continue its rapid growth in the commercial sector – delivering schools and hospitals, supporting infrastructure –we must keep safety front and centre. The public will only embrace modular at scale if we can demonstrate reliability, resilience and trustworthiness.
The future is modular, but only if we build it right. At MPBA, we are committed to driving the industry forward, setting higher standards and proving that modular and portable buildings can lead the way on fire safety. The message is simple – safety is not negotiable, and with volumetric modular construction, it is not compromised.
Image 1: Porton Science Park. Courtesy McAvoy Group
Image 2: King’s College Hospital Willowfield Building. Courtesy Premier Modular
Vision Built have embarked on one of Ireland’s first Zero Emission Building (ZEB) schools and will be employing volumetric steel frame modules with an ambitious target to use low carbon ‘green steel’.
VISION BUILT have been commissioned by the Department of Education, to deliver a two-storey modular ZEB, using their MMC Category 1 steel framed modular building solution. St. Brigid’s National School in Singland, Limerick, has recently been highlighted as part of Ireland’s ZEB school initiative, integrating energy-efficient systems and participating in sustainability education. ZEB schools are a strategic priority for the Department of Education (DoE) in Ireland because they align with multiple national goals across climate action, education, infrastructure, and public health.
The modular building will be produced at Vision Built’s Tubbercurry manufacturing facility and delivered to site in a just in time basis. Vision Built will be delivering the project as a full turnkey solution. This modular school of the future has a GIFA c. 1,290sq m, consisting of 49no. modules, and includes SEN classrooms and specialist rooms. The project achieved planning approval on the 31 January 2025, with Vision Built commencing on site on the 17 February, modular installation began on the 28 March and concluded on the 1 April, with target project completion for the new term ahead.
What is ZEB school design?
ZEB school design refers to educational buildings that are designed, constructed, and operated to produce zero net carbon emissions. This is achieved through a combination of energy-efficient architecture, renewable energy systems, and sustainable construction practices. In Ireland, ZEB principles are increasingly being integrated into both new school builds and retrofitting projects. Some of the key features of ZEB schools are:
• Higher performance insulation and airtightness
• Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR)
• Heat pump systems for low-carbon heating
• Photovoltaic (solar) panels for renewable electricity
• Smart energy monitoring systems.
In addition to the above, Vision Built have targeted to use, and sourced, lower embodied carbon (LEC) steel, aka ‘green steel’, for use in the main structural hot rolled steel sections of the modular frames, sourcing from European supply chain and produced using electric arc furnaces (EAF). In comparison traditional blast furnaces (BFs) used in steel production:
Raw materials
• EAF uses mostly scrap steel and sometimes direct reduced iron (DRI), heavily promoting recycling and reduce reliance on mining
• EAFs are powered by electricity, which can be renewable, compared to traditional which relies on coal (coke) as a fuel and reducing agent. EAF’s can be nearly carbon-neutral if powered by green electricity
• EAFs emit significantly less CO₂ (up to 75% less) key to decarbonising the steel industry.
Building the future: ZEB school design in Ireland
As Ireland intensifies its commitment to climate action and sustainable development, the education sector is emerging as a key player in the transition to a low-carbon future. Central to this transformation is the adoption of ZEB principles in school design –an approach that not only reduces environmental impact but also enhances learning environments for students across the country. ZEB school design is not just about buildings – it’s about creating healthier, more inspiring spaces for the next generation while safeguarding the planet.
Images 1-2: ZEB school design refers to educational buildings that are designed, constructed, and operated to produce zero net carbon emissions
Fresh Facility for Stepping Hill
A new outpatients centre has officially opened at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport, marking a major milestone for Stockport NHS Foundation Trust and modern methods of construction (MMC) specialist, MTX Contracts.
THE HOSPITAL is a specialist ‘hub’ centre for emergency and high-risk general surgery – one of only four in Greater Manchester. The new facility will modernise outpatient services and enhance care for the half a million patients using Stepping Hill annually. The ground and first floors of the £24.3million facility house the new department, with multiple consulting rooms, dental treatment and procedure rooms, waiting areas and toilets. The second floor has a smaller footprint for plant and ancillary equipment.
A total of 72 precisely engineered steel structural units were factory-manufactured offsite while the site was being cleared and foundations created for the new building. The units were craned onto site in November 2024 to form the building shell. Once in place, the structure was made weatherproof and concrete floors were poured to contribute to the highquality finish of the building. Many of the mechanical and electrical elements, including air handling units, were also manufactured offsite in factory conditions ready for assembly and final testing.
While the modular units were manufactured, MTX undertook groundworks to prepare the site for their arrival, streamlining the programme duration. Developing the site presented significant challenges, including the removal of previous structures which contained asbestos material, and mitigating the presence of a below-ground abandoned plantroom.
A live, multi-service trench which ran through the site of the proposed new building required MTX to divert water and drainage facilities, electricity supplies and communications cables.
The capability to run various work streams for new buildings simultaneously while elements are manufactured offsite is one of the key advantages of MMC – enabling faster, greener, safer and more costeffective delivery. MTX has developed advanced hybrid construction techniques using MMC, which are shown to produce up to 45% less carbon emissions when compared to more traditional building solutions.
Employing structural steel modules also enables the use of lightweight materials, which in turn contributes to a reduction in transport requirements and carbon emissions – in this case, contributing to the Trust’s Joint Green Plan with Tameside and Glossop Integrated Services NHS Foundation Trust, aimed at increasing the sustainability of both organisations.
“We are proud to have worked in partnership with Stockport NHS Foundation Trust to deliver this state-of-the-art facility,” said Paul Williams, MTX Project Director. “Our vision was to create a modern, welcoming and efficient space that would improve the experience for patients and staff alike, and I believe collectively we’ve achieved exactly that. We wish the staff and patients all the very best in this new chapter, and we’re proud to have been part of it.”
Images
Healthcare doesn't wait - and neither should your upgrades. At MTX, our flexible funding helps streamline the delivery of essential hospital infrastructure; ensuring your wards, theatres and clinical spaces are ready when patients need them most. By consolidating your build, maintenance, and operational costs into one unitary charge, our Managed Service model supports seamless clinical expansion.
WARDS WITHOUT THE WAIT
From financial structuring to long-term facilities support, we're committed to transforming healthcare environments to meet the demands of modern healthcare - better, greener and faster than ever before.
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Cadet Centres Get Modular Boost
Modular construction specialist Integra Buildings is supporting the Ministry of Defence (MoD) with a UK-wide programme to upgrade facilities for Army Cadets.
INTEGRA was selected to manufacture and install more than a dozen buildings which will be used by thousands of Army Cadets. Integra was awarded the contract after a competitive tender process, having been invited to bid for the work through the Government’s £10billion Crown Commercial Services framework.
Work on the nationwide contract – worth around £14million – is well underway with facilities in Lincolnshire, Lancashire and Norfolk among the first to be handed over to the MoD. As well as being used by regional Army Cadets units, the buildings will provide high-quality community facilities for local people to enjoy.
Integra Managing Director Chris Turner said: “When we were invited to tender for this exciting project, we didn’t hesitate. We knew it would be a fantastic contract to deliver, working with the Government organisation, and one which will make a real difference to the young people using these facilities. This was exactly the sort of project we wanted to work on when we bid to be on the Crown Commercial Services framework. It underlines our position as a modular construction partner of choice for major public sector contracts.
In total, Integra is delivering 14 buildings under the contract. The first sites – in Blackburn, Lancashire, Fakenham, Norfolk
and Skegness, Lincolnshire – have been handed over to the Army Cadets. Two different building designs were created by the MoD, which will be rolled out across the 14 sites. A small number of sites will require a bespoke design, to meet site constraints.
All the buildings are delivered under the contract meet the MoD’s Defence Related Environmental Assessment Methodology (DREAM) environmental performance standard. They offer increased energy efficiency compared to the facilities they are replacing, reducing both running costs and carbon emissions.
The contract forms part of the MoD’s Reserve Estate Optimisation Programme, a major defence investment which aims to optimise its estate and transition from a historic footprint to one that supports today’s demands. The buildings under the contract with Integra will principally be used by cadets from three forces – the Army Cadet Force, the Air Training Corps and the Sea Cadets.
A spokesperson from the MoD said: “This investment demonstrates Defence’s ongoing commitment to providing highquality, modern spaces for our Cadet forces. These new facilities are more than just buildings – they’re places where young people come together to grow in confidence, develop skills and form lasting friendships. By working with partners like
Images 1-2: Integra was selected to manufacture and install more than a dozen buildings which will be used by thousands of Army Cadets across the country
Image 3: Integra Buildings Project Manager Paul Bolan, centre, with Staff Sergeant Detachment Commander Neil Shorrock, Lance Corporal Alfie Flanagan and Cadet Ethan Cross
Integra, we are ensuring that the Cadet experience continues to evolve and thrive in communities across the UK.”
Amy Browne, an Apprentice Project Manager at Integra and supported delivery of the project added: “Working on these projects has provided me with invaluable experience of managing multiple sites for an important client, ensuring quality and consistency across each location. It’s brilliant to see the sites progress, with the first buildings now installed and handed over. I hope everyone enjoys the new facilities and am excited to see this project evolve and progress.”
Based in Paull, East Yorkshire, the company maintains over 80% of its supply chain within a 15-mile radius, as a demonstration of its commitment to supporting the local economy and community. The remaining suppliers are sourced locally to each project to contribute to the delivery of social value in those locations.
OSM: Shaping the Future of Offsite Construction
‘OSM’ is NG Bailey’s rebranded and reimagined offsite manufacturing offering. Mark Griffin, Head of Growth and Development at OSM, an NG Bailey Group company, reveals what it is set to achieve.
AT NG BAILEY, we’ve been pioneers in offsite manufacturing for over 25 years, operating from our dedicated facility in Bradford. With a strong reputation for delivering high-quality, prefabricated MEP solutions, we’ve long championed the benefits of offsite construction.
OSM represents a bold step forward in our journey to industrialise construction. By bringing together the best of bespoke engineering and standardised products, we’re offering a smarter, safer, and more sustainable way to build. Our aim is to transform buildings and infrastructure through innovative, high quality offsite manufacturing solutions, with a vision to be the UK’s partner of choice when it comes to providing solutions for the built environment.
OSM unites five core services under one roof – OSM Assembly, OSM Weld, OSM Ventilation, OSM Hire, and our new consultancy offering, OSM Consult. This integrated approach allows us to deliver tailored solutions with the speed and efficiency of industrialised manufacturing.
Our route to industrialisation
The construction industry is shifting from a traditional engineered-to-order model to one that embraces industrialised methods. At OSM, we believe this transition is only possible when we stop viewing modern methods of construction (MMC) in isolation and instead forge a seamless connection between all elements of offsite delivery.
OSM CONSULT
Our consultancy service provides expert guidance across all stages of a project. From MMC strategy and feasibility studies to BIM modelling and engineering technical management, OSM Consult helps clients unlock the full potential of your project with a focus on offsite manufacturing. Speak to our team to explore how we can support your next project.
Our approach starts with a catalogue of standardised products, forming the foundation of every project. From there, we layer in customisation through our expert consultancy, ensuring each solution is precisely engineered to meet our clients’ needs. This hybrid model delivers the best of both standardisation and customisation. The benefits are clear. Offsite manufacturing improves sustainability, boosts productivity, enhances quality, and significantly reduces health and safety risks. In fact, our facility has recently surpassed two million RIDDOR-free hours, a testament to the safety and reliability of our methods.
OSM VENTILATION
With over two decades of experience in modular MEP assembly, we’re excited to expand our capabilities with OSM Ventilation. This new in-house service offers highquality DW 144, Fire-rated and stainless-steel ductwork solutions, manufactured to exacting standards which can be seamlessly integrated into our modular builds. It’s another step forward in delivering complete, efficient offsite systems.
Images 1-2: OSM unites five core services under one roof to provide an integrated approach to industrialised manufacturing
For clients seeking innovative, efficient, and future-ready MEP solutions, OSM is the partner of choice. Find out more at: www.ngbailey.co.uk
We’ve pioneered offsite manufacturing for decades. With a strong reputation for delivering high-quality, prefabricated MEP solutions, we’ve championed the benefits of offsite construction.
Breaking Down Barriers to Housing Delivery with Digital Collaboration
Is the construction industry ready to transform – or just talking about it?
A recent Trimble-panel discussion hosted by The Offsite Alliance brought together industry experts to explore how offsite construction methods can deliver on the UK’s (very) ambitious housing targets, the value of the ‘kit of parts’ approach and the move to industrialised construction.
REPRESENTATIVES from Trimble, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), plus leading engineering practice Design 4 Structures, shared insights into how standardisation, digital integration and a shift in construction culture could transform the way UK homes are delivered.
It’s not technology holding us back – it’s trust Advanced BIM platforms and interoperable data formats allow entire buildings to be modelled with precision. However, these tools can remain underused due to a lack of trust between project partners. Instead of enabling a seamless workflow, digital files are often handed over, weighed down by caveats and disclaimers that lead to rework, delay and wasted effort – and importantly undermining digital continuity. One panellist from Design 4 Structures explained: “This is less of a technology issue and more a cultural one. Until we see more shared responsibility and earlier collaboration, those tools remain underused.”
This risk-averse mindset is being slowly challenged by regulatory shifts such as the Building Safety Act, which is starting to formalise accountability. Gateway 2 requires that no high-rise building (HRB) progresses to construction without a fully compliant, safety-checked design, forcing earlier design finality, deeper product knowledge and greater co-ordination between disciplines. Already, the bottlenecks are becoming evident.
For offsite and modular manufacturers with tightly scheduled processes and factory lines that require predictability, it can be challenging with design and build timelines often misaligned. This is why progressive firms are pushing to take responsibility earlier, from planning through design and beyond, realising that working it out collaboratively is a route to success. By delivering fully detailed models at Stage 4 - 5, they reduce downstream risk, shorten programmes and provide contractors with the data they need to price and schedule accurately. As the Design 4 Structures speaker noted: “Everyone’s learning on the job when it comes to the Building Safety Act – but if we want to meet legal duties with confidence, we need earlier visibility and digital tools, like Trimble’s, to support the golden thread at every project stage.”
The power of a ‘kit of parts’ approach
The lack of interchangeability between products and systems is another industry problem, with different suppliers working to different tolerances and standards. As such, the rise of the digital kit of parts is a promising development. Drawing on insights from over 600 products across the MMC market, this component-based approach standardises geometries, performance metrics and interfaces, creating a foundation for repeatable design.
Instead of reinventing the wheel on every project, contractors can design for offsite from the start, as opposed to designing for
traditional construction and then shoehorning it into an MMC solution once you get to RIBA Stage 3. They can work from a standardised, shared toolkit with accurate product data from the get-go, that multiple manufacturers can work with too. This standardisation accelerates delivery without stifling innovation. It’s not about limiting creativity – it’s removing duplication and risk.
Working towards a more industrialised mindset with digital integration
A successful kit-of-parts model isn’t just about physical components, as the MHCLG expert stressed: “Industrialisation of the process is just as vital as industrialisation of the product. It’s about embedding standardised, digital processes that work across projects, platforms and teams - enabling longerterm repeatable ways of working, fostering lasting partnerships and encouraging lessons learned principles, all resulting in a stronger, more resilient future for everyone.” It’s clear the industry must move away from siloed working and low-trust behaviours, toward greater transparency and shared accountability. That means procuring for long-term value rather than the lowest upfront cost, designing for repeatability and supporting a culture that rewards collaboration over protectionism.
Trimble
Trimble’s philosophy and approach aligns with this vision, with its tools designed to adapt to each organisation’s unique workflow. Whether it’s
evidencing due diligence for regulatory compliance or co-ordinating complex supply chains, the goal is to support decision-makers with accurate, timely, and trustworthy data. It starts with understanding what you are being asked to deliver and how you want to deliver it, taking into consideration the regulations you’re navigating. For offsite manufacturers, that means mapping the stages of your workflow to demonstrate compliance – all grounded in a clear understanding of your business process. The case for offsite and industrialised housing is clear. But to realise it, the sector must stop treating digital transformation as an add-on and start embracing it as a foundation. A kit-of-parts is not just a technical solution – it’s a strategic mindset. And it might just be the key to delivering the homes the UK so urgently needs.
Unlocking Value with DPPs
Digital Product Passports (DPPs), also referred to as Material Passports – are anticipated to bring transformative change to the construction industry. Ben Towe, Chair of the Light Steel Frame Association (LSFA), highlights that the principal advantages of DPPs are strongly aligned with those inherent to light steel frame construction.
THE LSFA is preparing to guide our members through the DPPs journey – not only on compliance but also on unlocking its wider benefits. Far more than a regulatory requirement, DPPs reinforce the information required under Building Safety Regulations, ensuring traceability of products and materials throughout a building’s lifecycle.
Introduced in 2024 through the European Commission’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), DPPs aim to increase transparency across every stage of a product’s life. While some see them as compliance obligations, the LSFA views them as an opportunity to demonstrate quality, unlock circularity, build trust and minimise the construction programme across the supply chain by building faster.
Strengthening the Golden Thread
A crucial advantage of DPPs is the ability to reinforce the ‘golden thread’ – the complete record of materials and processes underpinning Building Safety Regulations. For light steel frame manufacturers, every stud, track and component can be digitally identified, verified and traced to its source. This
traceability improves accountability and supports compliance with standards such as EN 1090, EN 1993 and EN 14195. Performance data covering fire, structural integrity or acoustics is always accessible, reassuring regulators, contractors and building owners while providing manufacturers with proof of compliance at every stage.
The Limes, Jersey
Expansive Social Housing Made with HadleyFRAME Technology
Following the success of the large-scale facility and charity headquarters at Plaisant Place, social housing provider Andium Homes saw first-hand the speed and efficiency of our light-gauge steel framing system.
So when they needed to construct an expansive new residential block at The Limes, they knew that HadleyFRAME was the clear choice.
In collaboration with our trusted Jersey partners, Normans and ROK, we have now completed this landmark apartment building using pre-panelised steel frame modules - with offsite construction allowing panels to be manufactured both on and off the island.
As with any major development, the project presented unique challenges. With a constrained city centre site and anticipated tunnel closures, we adopted a dual-face construction strategy to minimise disruption and avoid delays.
Alongside our core HadleyFRAME products (including board, grills, Breather Membrane, and steel frame panels), we tailored our engineering solutions to support bolt-on balconies loading over lintels. Comprising more than 130 apartments set across six floors, with private balconies and landscaped communal gardens, The Limes now provides a significant addition to affordable housing provision in the heart of St Helier.
Our HadleyFRAME system is just one part of our ongoing work in modern methods of construction. So if you’re looking for help with a steel frame project, we’re here to make sure you get the best results.
Learn more about our load-bearing steel framing – or start a chat with one of the team to see how we can help.
Get in touch
For further details email: ask.hadleyframe@hadleygroup.com
Unlocking lifecycle value
Light steel is inherently circular – it can be recycled indefinitely without loss of quality and systems are increasingly designed for reuse. DPPs accelerate the shift from the traditional build, use, demolish model towards a more circular light steel approach – reduce, reuse, recycle, repeat. By documenting material composition, recycled content (usually 60% for light steel), embodied carbon and end-of-life options, DPPs enhance the environmental profile of light steel systems. A simple QR code scan could confirm recycled content, CE marking, ISO certification and full recyclability. Such transparency adds long-term value, supports secondary markets for reuse and strengthens the sector’s sustainability credentials.
Enhancing safety with digital traceability
Safety is a top priority for construction, and DPPs enable instant verification of component identity, composition and performance. If issues arise, they can be traced quickly to the source, enabling corrective action and supporting regulatory oversight. For an industry focused on the Building Safety Act, DPPs are a proactive step. Instead of paper trails or siloed data, safety information is digital, verifiable and accessible, strengthening confidence at every stage of a project.
Integration with digital workflows
To deliver their full value, DPPS must integrate with Building Information Modelling (BIM) and other digital workflows. Interoperability is crucial – data must be structured, machine-readable and continuously updated. For manufacturers, DPPs become a ‘live record’ updated as processes or data change. For designers and contractors, accurate product information feeds directly into BIM and asset management systems, reducing errors and improving efficiency across the construction process.
A guide for the light steel sector
We are currently preparing to guide our members through the DPPs journey – from compiling and structuring lifecycle data, to selecting the right digital formats and ensuring interoperability. A typical passport for a light steel stud might include:
• Product ID: GTIN or QR code for instant verification
• Material Composition: steel grade, coatings, recycled and embodied carbon content
• Performance Data: structural, fire, thermal and acoustic performance
• Compliance: CE marking, ISO certifications, NHBC approvals, BOPAS accreditation
• End-of-life Options: reuse, recycling or safe disposal guidance.
This data, when digitally structured and verified, creates an asset of immense value – not only for compliance, but for market differentiation.
Looking ahead
With regulatory requirements expected to roll out over the next two years, the LSFA encourages early adoption. Proactive engagement reduces risks, positions businesses as industry leaders and demonstrates commitment to transparency and sustainability. After years of sustainability discussions, DPPs represent decisive action. For the light steel sector, they go beyond compliance to demonstrate leadership in digital traceability, safety and circularity. The LSFA is committed to supporting members throughout this transition. By embracing DPPs early, the sector can continue leading the way in safe, sustainable and future-ready construction.
Image 1:
Light steel frame is produced from a minimum of 60% recycled content and is 100% recyclable or reusable
Image 2:
Ben Towe, Chair, LSFA
Image 3:
The principles of DDPs are inherent to light steel frame construction
LEAF: Raising the Bar in Retrofit
The UK built environment has an urgent requirement for new homes and swathes of redundant office and commercial space. Martin Jamieson and Nik Teagle, Joint Managing Directors of Frameclad – discuss how to address these market problems with creativity and adaptive building systems.
THE GOVERNMENT’S push towards ‘brownfield first’ development strategies, combined with permitted development rights (PDRs) for commercial to residential conversions, has made the retrofit of office accommodation into apartments one of the most significant growth markets in construction. Yet, as any contractor or developer knows, these projects are fraught with challenges:
• Dimensional Discrepancies: older commercial frames rarely conform to precise tolerances
• Load Limitations: existing structures often require lightweight, non-intrusive infill systems
• Regulatory Stringency: particularly around compliance with the Building Safety Act.
Precision through adjustability
Unlike traditional light steel infill systems that demand on-site cutting, welding or shimming, LEAF can be aligned on-site in all directions – vertically, horizontally and laterally –with complete ease.
Redefining how dimensional discrepancies in concrete and steel primary structural frames are addressed, our Lightweight Engineered Adjustable Frame (LEAF), has been specifically designed and developed by Frameclad’s technical team to overcome these challenges.
A light steel frame infill system, precision-engineered for both internal and external walling, the hallmark of LEAF is its 40mm four-axis adjustability. Unlike traditional light steel infill systems that demand on-site cutting, welding or shimming, LEAF can be aligned on-site in all directions – vertically, horizontally and laterally – with complete ease. Once in position, the mechanism is simply locked into place, delivering a robust fit without hot works or specialist tools.
Factory manufactured under rigorous quality control, each panel arrives prelabelled, performance-tested and ready to install – combining the assurance of offsite fabrication with intelligent, adaptable design. Engineered for a wide spectrum of external cladding systems and capable of achieving fire ratings of up to 120 minutes, LEAF also meets stringent acoustic and thermal standards. Its genius lies in its simplicity – a true ‘fit first time’ system that improves safety, fast-tracks building programmes and adapts effortlessly to the challenges of retrofit and office to apartment conversions.
Designed for real-world demands
LEAF is a practical enabler of high-quality residential conversions and retrofit projects, where ‘historic as built’ conditions often bear little resemblance to drawings, this adaptability is invaluable.
LEAF also delivers prelim savings as the requirement for scaffolding and mast climbers can be introduced much later in the building programme. Contractors gain programme certainty, with less rework and reduced labour time, while designers can specify with confidence knowing the system will accommodate real-world variances.
Fire safety at the core
Whilst adaptability is critical, safety must come first. The introduction of the Building Safety Act has fundamentally changed the way high-rise residential projects are delivered, with far greater emphasis on product traceability, rigorous testing and a ‘golden thread’ of compliance. LEAF has been subjected to a comprehensive programme of independent fire resistance tests under BS EN 1364-1 (non-loadbearing walls) to ensure compliance with these demands. Fire resistance ratings of 60, 90 and 120 minutes can accurately be achieved. If the brief demands:
• A1 non-combustible boarding can be used for external and internal lining
• Factory fitted with stone, glass or mineral wool insulation can contribute to enhanced thermal performance and fire resistance
These results provide confidence not only for regulatory approval but also for residents who rightly expect that their homes meet the very highest safety standards.
Building Safety Act compliance
The Building Safety Act 2022 places responsibility squarely on duty holders – developers, designers, and contractors – to ensure that buildings are safe both during construction and throughout occupation. Systems specified for residential projects, particularly those above 18m, must therefore demonstrate:
• Non-combustibility of all primary materials
• Traceability of supply chain and testing evidence
• Clear, documented performance data for fire resistance, acoustic, and thermal properties.
LEAF has been developed with this framework in mind. For developers, this reduces compliance risk and ensures smoother progression through planning and gateway reviews. As our cities evolve, the retrofitting of existing commercial stock into
residential apartments will play a vital role in delivering sustainable growth and meeting housing demand. Success in this sector depends on building systems that are adaptable, safe, compliant and efficient.
As the industry embraces modern methods of construction (MMC) and leans into the challenges of safety and sustainability, we operate very much as a trusted partner, delivering highperformance, accredited and innovative solutions that protect people, property and investment.
Image 1: Resolve dimensional issues without remanufacturing or costly delays
Image
Unlocking Innovation
New guidance from BUILDOFFSITE and CIRIA is designed to help industry embrace performance specifications for offsite construction, amid mounting pressures for the construction to decarbonise and improve productivity. Industry Advisor, Fareita Udoh provides a quick overview.
THE CONSTRUCTION industry stands at a critical crossroads. With additional pressures to be more sustainable and deliver more resilient infrastructure, modern methods of construction (MMC) and offsite solutions are increasingly seen as key enablers of change. Yet despite this momentum, many projects remain constrained by outdated procurement and specification practices that hinder innovation before it begins.
To address this ‘Using performance specifications for offsite construction projects – guidance,’ is a practical new resource designed to support a more flexible, outcome-driven approach to project delivery. Unveiled in July at Transport for London’s offices, the guide provides a roadmap for embracing performancebased specifications – helping clients, designers, and suppliers avoid the unintended consequences of overprescription and unlock the full potential of MMC.
Rethinking the rules of engagement
Traditional construction procurement often relies on detailed, prescriptive specifications that define materials, methods, and processes in exhaustive detail. While this may offer clarity in conventional contexts, it can be a barrier to innovation, particularly when it comes to offsite solutions, where manufacturers and system providers bring distinct methods, capabilities, and proprietary technologies. By locking down how something should be done, rather than what it needs to achieve, we can inadvertently exclude the very solutions that offer better performance, lower cost, and faster delivery.
At its core, a performance specification sets out what the final product must do, rather than how it must be constructed. For example, instead of specifying a wall construction method, a performance brief might require a wall system that achieves certain levels of thermal efficiency, acoustic performance, and fire resistance. This empowers suppliers to offer optimised, often offsite-manufactured systems that meet these requirements more efficiently.
A systems-based approach to MMC
The new guidance goes beyond theory, offering a structured, systems-based framework that aligns with
the principles of offsite construction. Recognising that MMC projects often involve integrated components—such as modular frames, MEP pods, and volumetric units—the guidance encourages users to think in terms of functional assemblies and building performance, rather than individual trades or elements.
This approach is especially relevant in the context of the government’s Construction Playbook and Transforming Infrastructure Performance agenda, both of which advocate for greater use of standardised, repeatable solutions and a shift from transactional to collaborative working. Performance specifications provide a common language that helps clients articulate what they really need. That clarity opens the door to smarter design, leaner delivery, and a stronger focus on lifecycle outcomes.
Crucially, the guidance provides a clear process for developing and applying performance specifications at different project stages, from early-stage brief development to detailed design and procurement. It also addresses some of the most common myths and concerns surrounding performance-based approaches, including risk management, liability, and integration with existing standards and codes.
Lessons from the field: nine case studies
One of the most compelling features of the guide is its rich set of real-world case studies, drawn from across infrastructure, housing, healthcare, and education. In one example, a local authority housing programme used performance specifications to enable multiple MMC suppliers to bid on equal terms focuses on outcomes like energy efficiency, build quality, and community impact – rather than locking
in a specific design or method. The result was faster delivery, greater supplier diversity, and higher resident satisfaction. Each case study highlights not only the benefits of performance specification, but also the practical steps taken to define and measure success. From stakeholder engagement to procurement strategy, the examples serve as templates for those looking to follow suit.
Organisational readiness: building blocks for change
Beyond the technical content, the guide also explores the cultural and organisational shifts needed to mainstream performance-led thinking. It outlines key enablers such as leadership commitment, early engagement of the supply chain, and upskilling of specification authors. Changing the way we write specifications means changing the way we think about value. To support this, the guide includes checklists, templates, and tools that organisations can use to build internal capability – whether they are commissioning a new hospital, upgrading school estates, or delivering sustainable housing at scale.
At a time when the construction sector is being asked to deliver more, faster, greener, and more cost-effectively, performance specifications offer a powerful tool for doing things differently. They support a transition from bespoke, one-off projects to more industrialised, systems-led delivery models. And they offer a way to reconcile the need for control and assurance with the imperative to innovate. But like any tool, they must be used well. That’s why this new guidance is so timely. By providing a clear, practical pathway, BUILDOFFSITE and CIRIA hope to empower clients and delivery teams alike to embrace a smarter, more flexible way of building.
Image 1-2: The guidance encourages users to think in terms of functional assemblies and building performance, rather than individual trades or elements
Image 3:
BUILDOFFSITE has a mission based on four key pillars to promote, support and increase the adoption of offsite methods across construction
You can download ‘Using performance specifications for offsite construction projects – guidance’ from BUILDOFFSITE or CIRIA at: www.buildoffsite.com www.ciria.org
Collaborate for Impact
BUILDOFFSITE will be co-hosting the Offsite Summit at Offsite Expo and as in 2024, the Innovation Hub Challenge returns. The focus across the two days will be the retrofit challenge.
THE BUILDOFFSITE Innovation Hub Challenge is back and this year, it is not just about innovation. It is about action, delivery, and impact. The retrofit challenge is not just technical – it is systemic. With millions of homes in need of sustainable transformation, this year’s theme – System Ready - calls for innovations that are repeatable, scalable, and digitally enabled. From whole-house platforms to plug-and-play technologies.
On Day 1 of Offsite Expo on 16 September, three trailblazing finalists will take the stage to pitch breakthrough solutions to one of the UK’s most urgent challenges. The session brings together multidisciplinary teams to pitch solutions that cut across silos, connect data and delivery, and prototype the future of retrofit at scale.
Hosted by Guillaume Danis (TechnoMetalPost), this live pitch session features finalists with a clear brief: design retrofit systems that are scalable, repeatable, and digitally integrated.
• Teams address challenges from data interoperability to supply chain resilience, proposing end-to-end models that bridge current gaps
• Judged by Trudi Sully (Mott MacDonald), Jackie Maginnis (MPBA), and Gary Ramsay (Offsite Magazine) with live audience input
• Pitches are assessed not just on innovation, but on deliverability, equity, and potential to scale nationally.
In a high-energy, ‘Dragon’s Den-style’ final, each competitor will deliver a 10-minute pitch, followed by rapid-fire questions from a panel of expert judges. Expect insight-driven queries on carbon impact, circularity, digital delivery, and real-world scalability. This challenge is where you will see ‘bold meeting buildable’. The Challenge aligns with the BUILDOFFSITE Manifesto 2025–2030, putting its four pillars into action: Influence. Demonstrate Good Practice. Build Knowledge. Collaborate for Impact. The winner will receive a £5,000 marketing package, sponsored by Radar Media, plus major exposure to clients, partners, and policy influencers.
Driving retrofit and offsite innovation
Can we retrofit millions of homes, hit net zero targets, and upgrade our construction industry, all at once? Across two days, industry leaders, policymakers,
and innovators will map out the future of retrofit and industrialised construction, during the Summit. Expect big ideas and real solutions:
• Treat retrofit as essential national infrastructure
• Tackle procurement and regulatory bottlenecks
• Embed quality and standards that build trust
• Leverage data and automation for faster delivery
• Train a new workforce for a net zero future.
From housing associations and manufacturers to investors and local government, this is the place where policy meets practice and were offsite moves from concept to reality. If you have never been part of the offsite conversation, this is your moment. You will leave not only informed but equipped to lead change in your own organisation.
Day One sets the foundation. Positioning retrofit as essential national infrastructure, diagnosing the delivery bottlenecks, and establishing the standards needed for scale. But vision without systems is just aspiration.
Day Two picks up the baton. Exploring how digital transformation, modern skills development, and integrated assurance frameworks can turn retrofit ambition into scalable delivery. We move from diagnosing the problem to engineering the solutions, building the digital, human, and industrial systems that will future-proof retrofit and industrialised construction for the decade ahead.
BUILDOFFSITE’s two-day conference is a coordinated call to action – one that replaces outdated practices with strategies for delivery, trust, and growth. Whether you are pushing procurement reform, developing digital infrastructure, or training the workforce of tomorrow—this is your moment to lead.
Twinfix and Offsite
OUR RANGE INCLUDES: Canopies, shelters & walkways
Aluminium / steel / timber canopies manufactured and installed
Brise Soleil / Solar Shading
Polycarbonate roof lights
Glass canopies with spider bolt connections
Glass (single & double glazed) roof lights
Multi-Click polycarbonate vertical glazing systems
Our AluSpace Interior Screening System is designed to divide or delineate both residential and commercial spaces, while at the same time providing an effective acoustic barrier. Choose from hinged single, double doors, pivot or sliding doors to accompany our stylish fixed glazed screen. This flexible and versatile system provides almost limitless design options whilst requiring minimal maintenance. AluSpace will provide many years of assured, reliable and robust performance.
For more information visit smartsystems.co.uk/aluspace E sales@smartsystems.co.uk
Cast Verified: Offsite Confidence
Offsite construction is entering a new phase of maturity, with Cast launching a formal verification process to raise confidence across the sector. The verification scheme sets new benchmarks across the sector, with Design 4 Structures the first specifier to be recognised.
DEVELOPED in partnership with KOPE, ‘Verified by Cast’ sets independent benchmarks for both suppliers and specifiers, aiming to reduce uncertainty, strengthen supply chains and accelerate adoption of modern methods of construction (MMC).
Since its launch, several suppliers have already achieved Verified status. Now the programme has reached a new milestone with Design 4 Structures (D4S) becoming the first specifier to be recognised, highlighting how accountability in offsite must extend beyond systems and into design and delivery practice.
“Offsite construction is gaining momentum, but success depends on more than systems,” says Jeff Endean, Director at Cast. “It demands confidence. Too often, specifiers face uncertainty when choosing supply chain partners. That’s why we launched Verified by Cast, a quality assurance initiative with KOPE, to remove the guesswork and bring transparency to offsite specification.
Raising confidence in the supply chain
Verification assessments cover five areas: financial stability, legal compliance, insurance, technical capability and real-world delivery evidence, with approved companies listed on KOPE Market, a
searchable platform for developers, architects and contractors. By introducing clear, transparent criteria, Cast is helping remove the grey areas that too often surround offsite procurement.
The scheme initially focused on suppliers but has now expanded to include specifiers. This reflects a growing recognition that successful offsite delivery depends not only on the quality of systems, but also on how they are designed, detailed and implemented. Specifiers who achieve verification must demonstrate integration of design for manufacture & assembly (DfMA) principles, accountability for buildability and sequencing, and evidence of successful project outcomes.
“Our first specifier verification went to Design 4 Structures,” adds Jeff Endean. “Whose approach exemplifies what good looks like. Their team integrates engineering, modelling and installation reviews into one accountable process, proving that delivery can, and should, be part of design. Verification is about recognising those who take responsibility, not just for drawings, but for outcomes. If offsite is to scale, design and delivery must be one conversation. Verified by Cast is here to make that visible, and to support the industry in building smarter, faster and with greater confidence.”
Design 4 Structures: leading by example
As the first specifier to be verified, D4S joins the suppliers already recognised under the scheme. Their integrated model, combining structural engineering, construction modelling and design and installation reviews, represents the joinedup approach verification is designed to highlight. For clients, this means projects that are co-ordinated, accountable, and buildable by design.
Offsite construction promises programme certainty, but only when design and delivery are aligned. In practice, different engineers may be involved at multiple stages, leaving essential aspects such as connection design or buildability reviews until later. By then, tolerance conflicts, remedials and sequencing challenges can undermine progress.
Jonathan
Lock, Chief Commercial Officer and co-Founder, D4S
“Offsite construction promises programme certainty, but only when design and delivery are aligned,” adds Jonathan Lock, Chief Commercial Officer and co-Founder at D4S. “In practice, different engineers may be involved at multiple stages, leaving essential aspects such as connection design or buildability reviews until later. By then, tolerance conflicts, remedials and sequencing challenges can undermine progress.
“Clarity must run from concept through to installation. What’s needed is design-todelivery thinking, rooted in principles of DfMA. This means carrying responsibility through every stage: pre- and postinstallation buildability reviews, decisions grounded in site conditions, and integrated engineering, detailing and delivery within one team.
“These elements often fall into socalled ‘Contractor/Manufacturer Design Responsibility’ packages. While this may look efficient on paper, it fragments the process and pushes risk downstream. Clients need clarity on what’s included, what’s excluded, and the implications of separating packages across different parties. By contrast, when engineers, modellers and technicians work together, delivery becomes accountable, coordinated and buildable by design.”
Images 1-3: Verified by Cast sets independent benchmarks for both suppliers and specifiers, aiming to reduce uncertainty, strengthen supply chains and accelerate adoption of MMC
Image 4: L-R Jeff Endean, Director, Cast and Jonathan Lock, COO and co-Founder, Design 4 Structures
Inspired by global best practice such as Australia’s iCERT ratings, Verified by Cast brings transparency to the UK offsite market. For developers, funders and contractors, it means choosing partners with confidence. This joined-up model is gaining independent recognition, including through processes such as those led by Cast. The message is clear: clients need certainty, not assumptions. If offsite is to scale, delivery must be seen as part of design. That shift reduces risk, removes bottlenecks, and ensures projects are installed with confidence.
New Day New House
Combining offsite techniques and advanced manufacturing, Ultrapanel Building Technologies showed what can be achieved at a recent Live Build event at its Rishton facility, where it built a full house structure – including roof – in a single day.
CREATING a building solution that installs quickly, performs flawlessly and meets the demands of modern construction is a complex challenge but Ultrapanel Building Technologies, showed what is possible, hosting a wide range of visitors from across the built environment to celebrate the launch of the company’s next generation SIP system.
Set to ‘redefine’ housing delivery, the full loadbearing patented SIP system addresses two of the UK’s most urgent challenges – the rapid delivery of highquality new homes at scale and the decarbonisation of the built environment. Visitors saw the structure erected safely and smoothly with wall panels, floors and roof craned in to demonstrate how easily a three-bedroom, detached house can be placed in position using an offsite mindset. Advanced digital modelling ensures seamless data transfer to the automated production line, removing manual errors and embedding a Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) ethos.
Mass customisation
Over the next five years, future expansion plans include our own direct operational facility which can manufacture up to 3,500 houses per annum. That’s an ambitious plan but a very achievable one.
Tristin Willis, Managing Director, Ultrapanel Building Technologies
Manufactured in a factory environment also means millimetre accuracy, with the panels designed with airtightness, compliance, and repeatable quality across projects of any size. “We wanted everything to be very handleable, so the individual panels are very lightweight and portable,” says Andrew Thompson, Design & Development Director. “Everything is made to order, so you get the benefits of the timber and the rolled steel, cut to length, with no waste, then it’s a very easy transfer into full panel assembly. We have gone through a huge process of testing and accreditation because the panel is a completely different structure. It’s essentially a mass customised unitised bespoke panel.”
The innovation has already received strong industry endorsement through BBA certification and NHBC Accepts approval, giving developers complete confidence in compliance with rigorous third-party testing covering structural, thermal, acoustic
and fire performance. The panels arrive on-site ready for rapid assembly by Ultrapanel’s in-house installers, thereby reducing reliance on skilled labour. The accelerated process shortens construction timelines, delivering weathertight structures in days, not weeks.
“The Live Build event was a pivotal moment for us and a chance to demonstrate the true potential of our next generation Ultrapanel SIP system in a live, realworld setting,” said Tristin Willis, Managing Director of Ultrapanel Building Technologies. “The engagement from senior technical and construction leaders was rewarding, we had dynamic discussions, thoughtful questions and overwhelmingly positive feedback. It is clear Ultrapanel is gaining serious momentum as a game-changer for faster, smarter homebuilding.”
By eliminating separate framing and insulation on-site, Ultrapanel streamlines construction, cutting build times by up to 40% compared with traditional methods. Faster weather-tight structures accelerate programme completion, reduce exposure to weather delays and labour shortages, and bring earlier returns for developers. Designed for scalability, the system supports both SME builders and large developers, whether delivering single plots or multi-unit schemes.
Low carbon demonstrator
The Live Build event showed how a house structure can be erected in a day, but it also serves a second purpose as part of a longer-term plan to create a demonstration home. More than a ‘showcase’, it will be a practical model for high-performance, low-carbon housing. “We have planning consent for two year’s post completion,” adds Tristin. “The intention of the home is to have a ground floor that will look like a fully complete unit with a kitchen and will integrate renewable technologies including solar PV, air source heat pump, battery storage, and ultra-efficient hot water systems. We will be putting display boards on with QR codes packed full of information.
“Over the next few months, we will be bringing people back and forth, so they can see the stages of construction. It’s all about negating risk. For us it’s about giving developers and specifiers confidence that there is less risk in building this way than they might think. We know we’ve got to walk people through the process, as we are in a very traditional industry where people are very slow to move to new technologies. The key part of the demonstration house is for us to show what is possible and there’s nothing to be fearful about.”
As more people move to offsite systems, timber frame has often been regarded as the reliable ‘go to’ sustainable solution. But as shown through the Ultrapanel system, for those housebuilders moving away from traditional construction to timber frame, Ultrapanel, gives them another option to consider. Certainly, for everyone watching the Ultrapanel house system go together in real time, it was genuinely impressive – not just for the speed of assembly – but for the precision and simplicity of the process. This is exactly the kind of innovation the housing sector needs right now, fast, efficient, and future ready.
Images 1-4: Visitors at the Live Build event saw a house structure completed in a day using its next generation SIP panel and enabled huge discussion around DfMA and sustainable construction
Experience the Future of Housebuilding
Ultrapanel patented SIP systems are future-ready solutions designed to deliver high quality new homes at scale.
Smarter, Faster, Greener Housebuilding – Powered by Ultrapanel
Later this year we will be unveiling our state-of-the-art demonstration home that bring together cuttingedge construction technology with sustainable design.
Join us live or online – register your interest at hello@ultrapanel.co.uk
The new headquarters for Unusual Rigging chose a Passivhaus standard approach and used mass timber from timber frame specialists Timber Innovations and Knauf insulation to achieve it.
FOUNDED IN 1983, Unusual Rigging is a veteran provider of rigging and stage engineering solutions. Its new headquarters building in Bugbrooke, Northamptonshire is on the cutting-edge of building design and required high performance materials to deliver on its Passivhaus standards. The building features glulam and timber frame construction, with two rectangular wings over two storeys, linked by an atrium with a feature staircase.
Timber frame specialists Timber Innovations undertook the design, manufacture and installation of both the primary glulam frame and the prefabricated wall panels for the new headquarters. The project required non-combustible insulation, and exceptional thermal and airtightness performance were required to meet the Passivhaus standard. Timber Innovations also used Knauf Insulation’s Supafil® Frame glass mineral blowing wool to insulate the panels.
Unusual Rigging wanted its new headquarters to act as an exemplar project for circular economic principles and low-carbon design. This meant creating a building from sustainable materials that can be dismantled and reused at the end of its life. Minimising the building’s in-use emissions was also a priority, leading to a Passivhaus design that achieves high levels of energy efficiency.
Timber Innovations chose its Larsen Wall System for this project for several reasons. The system is fast to build and provides cost certainty and quality control before the panels even reach the site. In isolation, the panels typically achieve a U-value of 0.11 W/m2k, making them more than suitable for this project’s target U-value of 0.14 W/ m2k. Finally, the system is ideal for reducing embodied carbon, particularly compared to more traditional masonry construction.
Sustainable and high performing
Supafil® Frame glass mineral blowing wool was Timber Innovations’ choice for the prefabricated wall panels both for its performance and sustainability credentials. Knauf Insulation partnered with Veolia in 2017, who built a waste processing facility to supply the neighbouring St Helens factory with recycled glass. Supafil® Frame is manufactured using up to 80% recycled content and the close proximity of the facility saves approximately 375,000 miles of road journeys annually to transport the material. Initiatives like this contribute to glass mineral wool having the lowest levels of embodied carbon of any mainstream insulation material manufactured in the UK.
“The material’s sustainability credentials mattered to us and our client Unusual Rigging, but just as important was its thermal performance, said David Himmons,
Image 1:
The building features glulam and timber frame construction, with two rectangular wings over two storeys, linked by an atrium with a feature staircase
Managing Director, Timber Innovations. Supafil® Frame was great at filling all the voids in the Larsen Wall System, ensuring we achieved an airtight, continuous and consistent layer of insulation so that there would be no cold spots on the walls.” In total, the project used 700m2 of panels at a thickness of 235mm. Each panel was filled with Supafil® Frame at a density of 35kg/m3. The product has an S1 settlement classification meaning that, once installed in the panels, it can be transported to site without affecting performance.
An exceptional building
Thanks to a combination of high thermal efficiency and low and zero carbon technologies, the Unusual Rigging Headquarters building has achieved an A+ EPC rating, meaning it produces more energy than it consumes. The ‘true cost’ of every component and process involved in the construction was considered to minimise the social and environmental impact, while the fabric achieved the Passivhaus standard. Timber Innovation’s met were able to meet the ambitious vision for this building thanks in no small part to the use of Supafil® Frame.
Design Complex Closed Panel Kits with Ease – all within Revit® or AutoCAD®
In the UK, timber frame manufacturing is undergoing a transformation. For years, open panels have been the standard. But now the industry is shifting towards closed panels.
WHY? Faster build times, higher quality and energy efficiency, reduced waste on-site, and strong government support for its alignment with modern methods of construction (MMC). This evolution brings new design complexity, and that’s where hsbDesign for Revit® and AutoCAD® come in. Our solutions for offsite construction empower manufacturers to design and detail complex closed panel kits with precision and deliver higher quality projects faster.
With hsbDesign fully integrated into Revit® and AutoCAD®, designers work seamlessly in a single environment, minimising the learning curve and eliminating the need to switch between applications.
The workflow continues with our digital shop drawing viewer hsbView, letting designers focus on creating the 3D model while it automatically generates all required drawings. On the shop floor, teams view and interact with these digital plans, using tools like 3D viewer, PDF viewer, and measuring tool. This paperless workflow saves up to 25% of design time and ensures production teams work with the latest information, avoiding costly mistakes.
To truly embrace automation, manufacturers implement hsbMake, our Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) and Manufacturing Execution System (MES) delivering the right data, at the right time,
in the right format, to the right workstation. hsbMake goes beyond creating digital shop drawings. It generates all manufacturing data, distributes CNC files to machines, tracks jobs as they move through the factory, and offers customisable quality checks with camera capture. By linking with ERP systems, it supports accurate costing and efficient inventory management. Even if issues arise, reporting is simple so designers can adjust quickly and keep projects moving.
Factory operators have easy access to digital shop drawings.
Box Clever – Prefabricated Utility Rooms in Perspective
Prefabricated Utility Rooms are a commonplace part of the offsite spectrum but also a slightly misunderstood and underreported one. An industry roundtable hosted by utility room specialists Resipoint, highlighted some important sector issues plus what to expect in the future.
RESIPOINT have long offered a prefabricated, fully integrated service solution for residential buildings. These pre-assembled, factory-built units are designed to house essential building services such as plumbing, electrical systems, heating, ventilation, and even laundry or storage facilities, before transportation to the construction site for installation. This allows developers to reduce cost, give architects and building designers a creative floor space solution and for contractors – save critical time on-site, whilst improving quality control.
They have also emerged as powerful enablers of the industry’s continuing shift toward design for manufacture and assembly (DfMA) and industrialised construction methods to enhance quality, energy efficiency and ease of maintenance. The concept promises swathes of efficiency, improved productivity, better quality, and compliance in equal measure, but the reality is more nuanced.
Resipoint manufacture aesthetically refined, space-efficient, and technically robust utility rooms that integrate all essential services into a single, factorybuilt, ready-to-install unit. Assembled in a controlled production facility in Gloucester, Resipoint ensure quality and consistency with minimal on-site risk or rework.
While prefabricated utility rooms are discussed as part of offsite innovation, developers and specifiers wrestle with core questions: do they deliver measurable programme benefits? Can they genuinely support the Golden Thread of information demanded by the Building Safety Act (BSA), where do the commercial tipping points lie, and crucially what stands in the way of wider adoption, with traditional in-situ installation still seen as less of a risk?
The case for early engagement
As with many construction-related problems, the solutions rest in early engagement and better planning. Offsite manufactured solutions require design decisions to be locked in earlier than traditional builds, although the BSA is rapidly changing this approach. Early collaboration between architects, M&E consultants, and manufacturers – with more Building Information Modelling (BIM) can help integrate utility room layouts at concept and master planning stage. Prefabrication can compress construction programmes, but programme savings rely on clear ‘linear management’ and early decision-making to gain the maximum benefits. A lack of this can see a disjointed critical path, with units arriving early on-site – or even sat idle waiting for commissioning – to put undue pressure on the rest of the construction programme.
“The merit in an offsite manufactured solution is if the main contractor and developers can make a decision early and that decision can be shared with the supply chain,” said Sat Lola, Head of MEP at Mount Anvil. “Effectively – invest time upfront – at RIBA stages 3-4 – and the savings and value will come later with exponential gains in delivery at stage 5.”
Standardisation – what is it?
If there is any part of the offsite spectrum where standardisation offers a prime opportunity to maximise cost and critical path benefits – it is the utility room. As pointed out many times during the discussion, prefabricated utility rooms are easily configurable with a wide range of typical content to suit. They have a predetermined carcass and house ‘predictable’ components including the ventilation and heat sources and high level electrical equipment. Maintaining a consistent carcass and core layout – while swapping out components to meet specific system or client requirements – offers ‘invisible standardisation’, that from a manufacturing perspective, drives volume efficiencies.
TAKEAWAYS
Early engagement – confirming the offsite approach at RIBA Stage 2 ideally, enabling design co-ordination and procurement alignment. As with virtually everything construction related, the case for utility rooms begins with early specification
Heat Pumps – a growing concept in high rise projects. Due to them requiring higher density mechanical work in the utility cupboard, this leads to improved quality and perfect for a prefabricated solution
Warranties – clear allocation of risk and responsibility, particularly surrounding defects
Communication – better education of project stakeholders on programme certainty, sustainability benefits, and quality assurance and the overall ‘intangibles’ associated with utility rooms
ATTENDEES
Facilitator: Darren Richards
Managing Director, Cogent Consulting
Eddie Beer Director, IN2
James Cregan
Senior Technical Director, Mount Anvil
Grant Davies
Commercial Manager, Resipoint
Simon Lindop
Head of Cost Planning, Mount Anvil
An average customer may not necessarily appreciate a well finished utility cupboard, but they will definitely notice a poorly finished one.
Eddie Beer, Director at IN2
But there is industry tension here. Developers worry about standardisation not meeting specific site or client needs, but as pointed out: “There are as many opinions about what standardisation means as there are people in this room.” The ethos of higher standardisation means the more competitive the unit, with a rationalised matrix of cupboard types delivering ‘meaningful’ efficiencies and top quality.
Building Safety Act – this is focusing minds on better collaboration and clearing away ‘complacency’ using the Golden Thread of information.
Data – the need to collect and share LCA, EPD data to explain the carbon benefits and circularity/net zero aims, especially surrounding embodied carbon. Too many anecdotal claims – what is required is hard data to plug into a system/ spreadsheet and provide a trusted measurable answer
Cost Neutrality – Resipoint have a better and more robust way to identify cost savings and demonstrate programme benefits for offsite vs traditional in-situ methods. Valuing lifecycle outcomes over upfront price and replacing fragmented decision-making with collaborative, evidence-driven strategies.
Sat Lola
Head of MEP, Mount Anvil
Vernon Milner
Project Co-ordinator, Resipoint
Laurie Pomeroy
Managing Director, Resipoint
Andy Seary
Group MEP Director, C Watkins
Wahid Sohrabi
Design Manager, Woodford.
Different permutations require understanding that diverse types of cupboards and heating issues can be different thereby creating conflicts. “Standardisation is great, but the overriding objective must be: are we satisfying the design requirements for the apartment?” said Eddie Beer, Director at IN2.
“An average customer may not necessarily appreciate a well finished utility cupboard, but they will definitely notice a poorly finished one.”
The point of standardisation is to move away from introducing more work into project complexity – it is important to see where value can be added. “It makes it easier if we can rationalise and standardise the cupboard layouts,” said Wahid Sohrabi, Design Manager for Woodford. “If various types and size of manufacturers can get involved earlier and present a standard RIBA stage 2 design, it becomes less problematic and easier to design co-ordinate. These important considerations must be made early on.”
The Golden Thread
The BSA has profound implications for everyone working in the built environment. The Golden Thread – where components should demonstrate a ‘verifiable, traceable and auditable pathway’ – is central to ongoing building safety management and compliance. Utility rooms have an inherent advantage by being manufactured in a controlled factory setting. Every component, piece of product information, serial number, and test result can be digitally recorded and linked to an ‘as-built’ model.
An information pack – accessible by a simple QR code – can link to a compilation of traceable and verifiable utility room information. This will create a stronger compliance pathway than fragmented on-site installations. The BSA has focused minds on getting design done earlier and forcing more of a collaborative environment, something the construction industry constantly says it needs more of but struggles to achieve. But what it certainly does is ‘reduce complacency’.
Embodied carbon
As net zero targets loom, the ‘intangible’ benefits of utility rooms need to be more clearly communicated. Embodied carbon and product lifecycle analysis impacts are rising on client agendas and across ESG strategies, alongside circularity, increased social value – these are all hidden, difficult to quantify and to put a price on. Theoretically, a prefabricated option should allow all these markers to be managed better than a traditional in-situ option. Prefabricated utility rooms align well with digital product passport strategies, capturing data on product composition, recyclability, and environmental performance.
The complication in building a case for offsite here is comparisons. Ideally a lifecycle analysis (LCA) of a ‘traditional’ build as a comparator to a ‘prefabricated’ build is needed to make an estimation of what does work and doesn’t work and where best to optimise. “We need to commit to share more detail on the strategy of how things are done traditionally,” says Andy Seary, Group MEP Director at C Watkins. “We can then get a better understanding of where we can all benefit from a modular approach.”
Commercial realities
Perhaps the most persistent barrier to prefabrication adoption is perceived cost. Many stakeholders see prefabricated utility rooms as costlier than traditional on-site assembly due to upfront design, engineering, and factory production costs. This perception is overshadowing the tangible long-term benefits of offsite. The business case hinges on demonstrating ‘cost neutrality’ whether this be through programme savings, reduced snagging and maintenance or overall risk mitigation.
You can have up to 19 parties in total getting involved in a manufacturing process – what we pride ourselves in doing is tying all those people together, as it’s critical that everyone is pulling in the same direction. Prefab done wrong means you may as well go traditional.
A key talking point surrounded the clarity of responsibility across the supply chain, particularly around defects, warranties, and aftercare. Poor interfaces remain a ‘pain point’. Clearer lines of responsibility are required to determine accountability for defects, including how costs and warranties are allocated among M&E contractors and identifying who is responsible for addressing and resolving issues. Written agreements should be established to commission warranties through the M&E contractor. Perhaps new contracting models may need to emerge to address these complexities and improve process efficiency.
Laurie Pomeroy, Managing Director, Resipoint
Despite strong logic and emerging case studies of successful projects – it seems that prefabricated utility room adoption remains patchy. Why is this? There is still some cultural construction resistance. Adversarial DNA still fuels mistrust around cost transparency and protectionism amongst supply chain relationships. There is also supply
chain fragmentation with too many stakeholders and too few collaborative frameworks. This lack of transparency stymies collaborative culture.
For sure, too many assumptions are made about what goes on within a traditionally fitted out M&E package. Prefabricated systems are painstakingly detailed, and more work needs to be done across the sector to ‘overlay’ the two process maps to understand how they compete, and how best to get the most from each to figure out where the process can be best synchronised. There is even a case for mock-up within a factory environment to create ‘real life’ scenarios reflective of the environment the utility room will be in, so M&E contractors can understand what is required – especially regarding interfaces.
“Challenges still surround the management of interfaces,” added Eddie Beer. “Standardisation and trying to get to a stage where you understand the utility room permutations for a 500-unit scheme and trying to co-ordinate the interfaces behind dropping a single cupboard into perhaps 20 different apartment types, and making sure that your extracts, intakes, pipework, all connect at the appropriate point and with the correct tolerances can be a challenge. We recommend a fully co-ordinated model at RIBA stage 4 or 4C before manufacture.”
Plan for prefabrication
The utility room is likely to be the first and last thing a user sees when entering and leaving their apartment, so it’s got to be right. They represent one of the most practical pathways to industrialised construction and as the discussions showed, there is a lot of positivity around the general direction of travel of prefabricated utility rooms but their adoption and strategies to
increase their usage across the construction sector is complex. Everyone agreed that Resipoint technology is exceptional and of the highest quality, but is there a fully compelling argument with evidence that they do work? There is still a challenge to convince clients, developers and contractors. Adoption of utility rooms is certainly not stifled by technology advances but for future success, addressing misconceptions about cost and supplying hard data to substantiate the many anecdotal claims, manufacturers and contractors can truly unlock the full benefits of Resipoint technology.
Images 1-4: The roundtable covered a lot of ground in discussing the future of prefabricated utility rooms and how best to secure their place in offsite specifcation
Images 5-6: Resipoint’s offering is designed and manufactured by industry experts with specialisms across every sector of the construction market
A Watershed Moment for UK Construction
The inaugural Industrialised Construction Conference, held 2-3 July at Coventry’s Manufacturing Technology Centre, saw more than 25 thought leaders debate a defining shift in UK construction. Darren Richards, Conference Chair and Managing Director of Cogent Consulting, provides a summary of the event’s key talking points.
ACROSS THE TWO DAYS, speakers at the event represented a broad cross-section of the policy, structural engineering, digital innovation and built-environment communities, bringing diverse perspectives to the evolving conversation around industrialised construction. As the construction sector moves away from traditional, site-based methods to a more efficient, sustainable and digitally enabled future, industrialised construction is set to drive productivity gains, improve environmental impact and tackle the sector’s skills crisis.
Program highlights and standout speakers
One of the opening sessions focused on ‘Industrialised Construction Strategy & Concepts’, where representatives from Innovate UK, the Department for Business & Trade, AtkinsRéalis and the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), explored the strategic foundations for the UK’s transition towards offsite
manufacture. Their contributions highlighted a coordinated national approach aimed at meeting demand through innovation and technology.
The ‘Design for Manufacture & Assembly (DfMA)’ session featured insight from Autodesk, Buro Happold, Skanska, Mott MacDonald, KOPE and Dataform Lab. These businesses demonstrated how integrating parametric design and manufacturinglevel detail from the outset can drive efficiency, reduce waste and elevate build quality.
Discussions around ‘Platform Design, Kit-of-Parts and Pattern Books’ were led by experts from Bryden Wood, Landsec, Seismic Group, Akerlof and WSP. Presentations illustrated how modular systems can deliver repeatable, scalable outcomes while remaining sensitive to the contextual needs of each site.
With an international focus, there were compelling case studies from Porsche Consulting, TU Delft and Stanford University. These perspectives offered
Image 1:
The future of improved and industrialised construction rests in design and technology driven factory settings. Courtesy British Offsite
Images 2-7:
The ICC at Coventry’s MTC saw a series of industry specialists and thought leaders bring the future into focus on new approaches to construction
benchmarking opportunities and made a clear case for the UK’s potential to become a leader in industrialised construction globally.
Case study presentations from NHS England, Kier, Laing O’Rourke, Homes England, Reds10, Barratt Redrow, British Offsite and NG Bailey showed in clear detail several landmark DfMA and offsite methodologies already in action.
Themes at the heart of the change
Several key themes emerged over the two days of discussion and debate. While there is visible leadership and growing investment in large-scale manufacturing facilities, a consistent message emerged, principally the success of these efforts will depend on the development of robust, reliable project pipelines. Much of this will be fed back into UK government departments and into the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) industrialised construction working group.
Speakers at the conference underscored the ability of offsite construction to significantly enhance efficiency, productivity and cost control. By accelerating build times by up to 50%, reducing rework and offering greater predictability and consistency in delivery, offsite approaches were positioned as key to overcoming longstanding issues of delays and budget overruns.
In the context of rising material costs, up around 30% since 2019 and tightening net zero deadlines, sustainability was a central focus. Delegates stressed the
environmental and economic advantages of offsite and industrialised methods, noting their ability to minimise waste and reduce embodied carbon. The consensus was clear that prefabrication is no longer a desirable option, but a necessary step towards net zero construction.
The industry’s labour challenges also featured prominently. With an ageing workforce and limited new entrants, industrialised construction was presented as a practical solution. Factory-led processes can support the development of stable, skilled and technology-oriented careers, while enhancing apprenticeship programmes through more structured and repeatable training environments.
Digitalisation emerged as another critical theme, with many advocating for embedding digital tools such as parametric modelling, code-based automation, digital twins and manufacturing-ready datasets into
Built Better.
Our passion can be seen in every construction detail, every material choice, every ISO certified quality process, every safe working day, and in every smile by the students and staff of Ireland’s first permanant, modular-built, school for Lucan East ETNS. Co. Dublin.
mainstream design and construction workflows to unlock true DfMA potential.
Finally, collaboration across the supply chain was described as essential to scaling industrialised approaches. Speakers consistently advised engaging manufacturers, contractors, designers and clients from the outset of a project. By dismantling traditional silos and adopting shared data standards and interoperable components, the sector can move towards more cohesive and efficient delivery models.
Why this was a defining turning point
NEW INDUSTRIALISED CONSTRUCTION JOURNAL
You will be able to follow the industrialised construction arena regularly in more detail with Offsite Magazine’s newly launched sister title – Industrialised Construction Journal – this is a dynamic and immersive on-line publication featuring the latest news and views from those driving forward new ways of thinking surrounding the built environment.
There is no single explanation for the momentum now gathering around industrialised construction. Rather, it reflects a convergence of factors that are beginning to align in a meaningful way. Government support, delivered through bodies such as the Construction Leadership Council, Innovate UK and the Department for Business and Trade, has helped to create a coherent national roadmap.
This policy clarity is matched by evidence of scale, with compelling cross-sector case studies showing that offsite construction is no longer a niche concept, it is already being implemented across a range of contexts. The industry narrative has also shifted significantly. Where once offsite was seen as an alternative, it is now increasingly viewed as essential. Digital and data-driven design are no longer optional – they are critical enablers.
Meanwhile, new opportunities for skilled careers in factory-led and design-to-manufacture environments are changing perceptions and attracting fresh talent. Efforts to standardise, through pattern books, interoperable components and shared digital models, are laying the groundwork for a more integrated, future-ready construction sector.
Conference as the catalyst for structural change
The conference reflected the growing need for structural change and acted as a launchpad for the UK’s transition to manufacturingled delivery models, moving away from the inefficiencies of traditional on-site construction. Over time, this could have implications beyond national borders, influencing global approaches to industrialised construction.
We are already two months on from the Industrialised Construction Conference, but momentum is being maintained, with the planning of future events, podcasts, webinars and roundtables – all aimed at progressing the narrative and highlighting the significant activity that is emerging in this space.
2026: next steps
Looking ahead to 2026, several key developments are expected to shape the future of industrialised construction. The 2026 Action Agenda is likely to drive the widespread adoption of standardised components and platform-based systems across a range of sectors, including residential, infrastructure, defence, healthcare and education.
Alongside this, there will be a continued focus on scaling up the supply chain, with increased investment in offsite manufacturing hubs and digital factories to meet national targets for housing and infrastructure delivery.
Policy integration will also play a critical role. Industrialised construction is anticipated to become more firmly embedded within planning, procurement and funding frameworks, particularly in ensuring compliance with Gateway 2 and net zero objectives.
Sustained collaboration across the sector will remain essential. Ongoing engagement between academia, industry, government and manufacturing stakeholders will support the sharing of knowledge and data, the advancement of pilot programmes and the strengthening of forums that help maintain progress.
Momentum is building. Procurement frameworks are evolving, long-term public investment, particularly in infrastructure, is rising and there is growing demand for platform-based solutions. This context provides the conditions for real transformation. A near-unanimous message emerged from the event: adopt DfMA, embrace digital tools, invest in workforce development and align procurement processes, or risk falling behind. The direction is clear –innovate and thrive.
Industrialised Construction Conference will return in London 21-22 April 2026. For more information visit: www.industrialisedconstruction.co.uk
You can join the Industrialised Construction community on LinkedIn
Tackling New Challenges in Housing Delivery
Earlier this year, UK Concrete commissioned Opinium to conduct some in-depth research about public attitudes to their homes, how they are built, and what they value in them.
THE DEBATE around the Government’s plans to build 1.5 million homes during this parliament continues to gain significant column inches. But with the focus on how many and where to build these new houses, we’re at risk of overlooking what future residents want from their homes.
The report, ‘Homes 2025: A National Conversation’, took on board the views of 5,000 homeowners, private and social renters across the UK, including residents living in medium to high-rise buildings. The report findings were revealing, helping to underline the value that people put on the fabric quality and performance of their home to deliver energy efficiency but also to protect against damp, mould, flooding and fire.
Fire resilience emerged as a key issue for the public, with 87% saying that having their home constructed from fire-resistant materials was important. And in a changing climate, 90% of people rated construction of their home from materials that protect against water ingress as important. Asked what they most feared happening to their current home, a quarter of respondents selected “leaks or escape of water.”
This supports the UK Green Building Council’s recently published ‘UK Climate Resilience Roadmap’,
which states that our buildings, whether homes, workplaces or public buildings, should act as the first line of defence in a changing climate. This includes ensuring that properties are energy efficient as well as highly resilient, protect against water ingress and wildfire, and do not overheat.
So how do we meet the demand whilst also ensuring that new homes are affordable, resilient in the face of climate change and above all, safe?
Precast concrete is an established offsite solution and can play a vital role in delivery of the next generation of high-quality, durable homes. Part of an essential UK concrete manufacturing sector, precast uses ‘homegrown’ materials which reduces the demand for imports, ensures security of supply while cutting carbon and protecting high skilled jobs. Using precast concrete panels to build flooring and walls in new developments has proven to offer high levels of structural integrity, durability, fire resistance and acoustic performance which are essential to the design of safe, quality housing.
Precast construction can equally build new homes on a large scale whilst implementing energy efficient solutions that are repeatable and reliable, such as
Images 1-2:
The £35million JQ Rise development consists of 226 modern apartments and shows how precast concrete and offsite methods create affordable, quality housing efficiently at scale. Courtesy FP McCann
Structural concrete reinforcement and MEP structures saving the construction industry time, carbon and cost.
Offsite Awards Finalist: Best use of hybrid technology
To find out more scan the QR code or visit unipart.com
Digitally optimised, low-carbon solutions for residential, commercial and infrastructure construction.
Pre-manufactured modules simplify installation, improving safety, speed and accuracy onsite.
Manufactured in the UK using green steel and 100% renewable energy.
Design, manufacturing and logistics solutions for scalable construction.
Meet us at Offsite Expo stand B05
installing insulation, glazing and thermal broken fixings for balconies. Combining good ventilation and precast concrete in the construction of homes can also deliver energy efficient passive cooling and reduce the risk of overheating.
With ambitious housing targets to reach over the next four years and increasing spatial constraints in our towns and cities, many developments are targeting taller structures. Precast concrete components enable faster construction and repeatable
designs, making it an ideal construction method for medium and high-rise housing developments. These can also be designed for a long service life to support reuse in the building or designed for disassembly and reuse elsewhere.
Manufactured in factories offsite which include a rigorous quality control process ensures that all the precast elements are of the highest quality before being transported to site and installed. Importantly, significant time savings can also be achieved, from
BIRMINGHAM’S LATEST PRECAST JEWEL
FP McCann recently completed a precast concrete structural and architectural supply and install project in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter. The £35million JQ Rise development consists of 226 modern apartments and shows how precast concrete and offsite methods can create affordable, quality housing efficiently at scale.
Made up of three blocks of four, eight and 25 storeys, the building’s façade has a red brick aspect to complement the immediate surrounding urban environment. Key elements manufactured offsite included the structure, designed as a precast concrete internal cross-wall and on the exterior, architectural sandwich panel cladding.
The design involved precast concrete core and party walls, prestressed hollowcore flooring planks, lift cores, precast stair cores and stair landings. Integral to the structural design were the architectural brick-faced insulated sandwich panels, offering an attractive red and blue-grey external finish to the building on all levels.
Precast concrete columns and beams were installed at the ground floor level to carry the walls above. As is typical of offsite precast concrete structural builds, the housing development was completed in just 56 weeks, a 40-60% reduction in construction time compared to traditional build methods.
“Traditional construction methods, while tried and tested, are increasingly inadequate to meet the soaring demand for quality, affordable housing,” said Anthony Grant, Project Manager for Prosperity Group. “The JQ Rise housing project clearly demonstrates that offsite construction and in urban locations help address the current housing challenge and lay the groundwork for a more efficient and sustainable homebuilding sector. By embracing these methods, we can build faster, reduce our environmental impact and provide quality, affordable living space.”
just-in-time delivery on site through to delivering faster build programmes. From quality and efficiency through to the threat of fire and a changing climate, these are the issues of importance to homeowners and renters in 2025, and all are impacted by the fabric of construction of new homes. Using precast concrete at scale can create the affordable, good quality and highly resilient housing that people across the UK increasingly want to see.
Find out more at: www.mpaprecast.org
Why it’s different
• Partnering, not contracting – early engagement with likeminded teams, transparent processes, and shared goals.
• Smarter building – automation, robotics, and digital twin integration ensure every component is modelled, coordinated, and verified.
• Traceability & compliance – each element tracked from factory to install, creating a live Golden Thread of information that aligns with the Building Safety Act and supports clear, accountable decision-making.
• Safer, faster, more enjoyable delivery – scaffold- and back-propping-free assembly, early safe access, and weatherproofed structures as they rise, enabling followon trades two levels below active construction.
• Better outcomes – sustainable, predictable, and scalable solutions that meet RIBA’s DfMA Overlay and BSA Gateway requirements.
hyTower™ for High-Rise Success
At hyTower™ London we believe tall building construction doesn’t have to be complicated or adversarial. It can be smarter, simpler, and more enjoyable — a process built on partnering, collaboration, trust, and shared success
The award-winning hyTower™ HybriDfMA system, engineered by PCE Group, brings together design, digital intelligence, and modern methods to deliver complete structural frames with integrated cores, façades, walls, balconies, and MEP systems.
By working with a flexible offsite supply chain and applying a hybrid kit-of-parts approach, we use the best materials for each project — whether precast concrete, reinforced steel, engineered timber, or a combination. The result is a system that is predictable, adaptable, and tailored to every client.
Proven impact
• 50% faster construction time
• 80% reduction in site labour and activity
• 80% fewer deliveries
• 90% less waste
• 30%+ lower carbon than traditional methods
• Less disruption, noise, and dust
hyTower™ is about more than building tall buildings — it’s about partnering to build stronger relationships and better experiences. Together, we remove the mystery, reduce the risk, and make construction something that works for everyone.
Excellence in Stadium Terracing and Offsite Building Solutions
FP McCann, the UK’s largest precast concrete manufacturer, recently announced the acquisition of precast specialist Macrete. The landmark deal combines FP McCann’s extensive manufacturing network with Macrete’s specialised expertise in precast concrete engineering and stadium terracing solutions.
THE ADDITION of the Co. Antrim-based business which has been in operation since 1979, significantly expands the range of precast products and services now on offer across the broader construction sector.
FP McCann’s stadium terracing proficiency represents a cornerstone of its specialised offsite precast capabilities and the Macrete amalgamation further strengthens the capacity in this sector. The company designs, manufactures and installs precast concrete terrace and step units for sports stadiums, indoor arenas, theatres, auditoriums and multi-screen cinemas, offering versatile economic systems that accommodate varying viewing standards, imposed loading requirements and seating arrangements.
The company has developed precast concrete sports stadia and arena terracing to offer a ‘onestop’ solution for designers and construction groups operating in this sector. Precast components are factory-engineered in a quality-controlled
environment offering a streamlined and efficient construction process thereby ensuring precision finishes whilst minimising on-site labour and time. Designed under BS8110 principles, each section is cast from high-quality timber and steel moulds to a type A finish. The company also offers customisable steel moulds for various bespoke project needs and complex terrace designs.
FP McCann’s concrete designs provide stadia terraces with seating, raker beams, terrace units and vomitory walls which are manufactured to withstand exposed conditions. Precast terracing is fire-resistant and aims to accommodate dynamic performance requirements.
The Company’s impressive stadium portfolio includes notable projects such as the 48,000-capacity Etihad Stadium where 3,876 precast elements consumed 3,380m³ of concrete and 260 tonnes of reinforcing bar, all manufactured to exacting ‘Type A’ finish standards. Recent high-profile contracts include the iconic Lord’s and Kia Oval cricket grounds, the 2023 Commonwealth Games stadium in Birmingham and Premier League stadia including Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, Brentford FC, Brighton, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Fulham. At Lord’s, FP McCann delivered 1,350 individual precast units including bespoke terrace seating and ‘U’ shaped balconies combining a front façade, vomitory walls and stair flights and landings.
Comprehensive offsite building systems
FP McCann’s offsite building solutions encompass multiple precast structural and architectural products designed to accelerate construction times while maintaining exceptional quality standards. The company’s precast modular structural solutions serve various clients within the public and private sectors including student accommodation, hotels, custodial facilities, build-to-rent and private and rental apartment schemes, multi-storey car parks, healthcare facilities and educational buildings.
The company’s innovative architectural portfolio features sophisticated precast elements including insulated sandwich panels with various finishes such as acid-etched, grit-blasted, polished and exposed aggregate surfaces. These products provide readymade external envelopes significantly reducing on-site construction time while delivering superior thermal performance and aesthetic appeal.
Complementary structural components include precast columns and balconies, stair cores and lift shafts, precast stairs and landings, lintels and advanced cladding systems. Each solution is engineered to provide maximum flexibility in design while ensuring robust high-quality finishes that meet the demanding requirements of such modern construction projects.
The Kia Oval cricket ground is a famous sporting stadium that has greatly benefited from FP McCann’s architectural facades division. The company has supplied and installed distinctive bespoke brickfaced precast concrete panels, cills and a unique 3-dimensional decorative roof façade to envelope the brand new £26 million Galdari stand.
Strategic advantages of offsite manufacturing
The combined expertise of FP McCann and Macrete Ireland delivers compelling advantages through controlled offsite manufacturing processes. These benefits include enhanced safety through factorycontrolled environments, accelerated project delivery through precision engineering and efficient installation and superior value through reduced on-site requirements and exceptional flexibility while maintaining robust quality standards.
Environmental sustainability remains a core focus with manufacturing processes that recycle water and concrete while sourcing materials from trusted sustainable partners. The offsite approach significantly reduces waste generation and provides
consistent product quality unaffected by weather conditions or site constraints.
Future-ready solutions for modern construction
The company has developed precast concrete sports stadia and arena terracing to offer a ‘one-stop’ solution for designers and construction groups operating in this sector.
By integrating Macrete’s specialised capabilities, FP McCann now operates as an even more formidable force in the offsite construction sector. The company’s £90million investment program in state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies combined with this strategic acquisition positions FP McCann to meet the everevolving demands of modern construction projects requiring speed, quality and sustainability. This enhanced capability portfolio ensures that FP McCann remains at the forefront of offsite building innovation delivering predictable project outcomes with guaranteed quality, budget adherence and timeline compliance across all construction industry sectors.
Smart Precast Manufacturing
At the forefront of the UK’s precast concrete sector, FP McCann has harnessed cutting-edge machinery and software from Progress Group to revolutionise production. This leveraging of automation and digitalisation enhances production efficiency and quality.
FP MCCANN operates 13 precast plants across Great Britain and Northern Ireland and provides an extensive range of concrete solutions for the industrial, commercial, structural, and infrastructure markets. Six of their plants now feature state-of-the-art reinforcement machinery and software from Progress Group, enhancing their production capabilities and setting new industry standards.
State-of-the-art reinforcement machinery
The manufacturing facility at the Byley site showcases the benefits of the integrated M-System Evolution. This mesh welding plant stands out for welding mesh, while maintaining the highest level of work safety and keeping costs down. “One of the biggest benefits of the machinery is the integration,” says Andrew Slaven, Design Support Manager for FP McCann. “It saves a significant amount of time to have continuity across the design processes by using the same machines. But of course, also the quality of the product is a key benefit.”
Enhancing operational efficiency with software solutions
The ‘profit’ software from Progress Group has been a game-changer for FP McCann’s reinforcement production. It provides realtime visibility of production, helping teams to optimise planning, manage resources and maintain continuous flow. Andrew adds: “The software is the key part that holds everything together. We will be using profit in the new plant in Littleport and will then roll it out across the rest of the business. If we can automate and take away a lot of the manual work in the background by using the software, it makes it a lot more efficient for us.”
The successful collaboration between FP McCann and Progress Group has been instrumental in advancing their production technology. “Working with Progress has been a positive experience over the last few years. Their machinery and software have significantly enhanced our reinforcement production capacity, adapting to the growing demands of our customers,” said David Norry.
Image 1:
The M-System Evolution mesh welding plant in FP McCann’s Byley facility boosts operational efficiency
Image 2:
In the profit software, cages and meshes can be designed easily and quickly with predefined templates in 2D and 3D, and then scheduled for production
Image 3:
Construction of the new production hall in Littleport, combines structural expertise and advanced reinforcement technology
Image 4:
The EBA stirrup bender enables the staff to work more efficiently, faster and more safely
Adam McCann, Engineer at FP McCann and part of the family that has built the successful company, adds: “We like to build relationships with the companies we buy machinery and software from – we like to work with them for a long time. That would have been the biggest selling point for me, and of course, Progress Group is a well-known name. We bought the machine first and now have seen that the software elevates it.”
Automation and digitalisation
With automation and digitalisation, FP McCann can stay at the forefront of precast production in the UK. Andrew Slaven states that the experience with Progress Group has been consistently positive since the start, emphasising that the support and integration within the company works very well. “The biggest benefit of automation and digitalisation is time saving, more than anything – being efficient as a business is the priority.”
Customized mesh welding plants for the cost-effective production and bending of bespoke reinforcement mesh for a variety of applications.
Building Better Experiences
Thurston Group has been at the forefront of offsite construction in the UK for more than 50 years, growing from a modular manufacturer into a full-service modular construction company delivering turnkey projects in the UK.
OVER THE past year, we’re proud to have earned multiple major national framework wins, expanded our team with expert senior staff, and invested into digital transformation across all our sites.
Need extra space fast, without the disruption of a traditional build?
Modular construction is a quicker, more flexible way to get classrooms, offices, or healthcare facilities up and running. Where traditional builds may be timeconsuming and disruptive to day-to-day operations, offsite manufacturing gives you the option to keep your existing facilities running close to normality, with a ready-to-use modular building at the end.
At Thurston, we work with you from concept to completion, ensuring our project meets your vision, and delivering high-quality results that you’ll want to shout about. From robust, anti-vandal site accommodation for the construction industry, to bespoke, multi-storey buildings for schools and hospitals, we deliver projects that are as flexible as they are durable.
Got specialist requirements to meet, so you can comply with regulations?
Whether you need to meet Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) regulations, or fire safety requirements, modular buildings can be easily adapted to ensure safety for your employees and equipment alike. Last year we blazed the trail in fire safety, making a £250,000 investment to achieve early compliance with new Joint Code of Practice (JCoP) regulations.
Our temporary accommodation units surpass fire performance requirements, meaning you can have peace of mind your staff are safe on-site, reducing your liability risk and avoiding potential fines.
Looking to reduce your carbon footprint?
If you need to make strides towards hitting net zero targets, choose modular construction. Offsite manufacturing inherently reduces waste and carbon emissions, and modular builds can easily incorporate renewable energy resources, helping sectors like education and healthcare to go greener. At Thurston, we’re proud holders of an EPC A rating, highlighting our dedication to providing the most energyefficient temporary accommodation solutions for the construction industry and beyond.
Want a service that’s available nationwide?
With four manufacturing facilities placed strategically across Yorkshire, we have the capabilities to deliver projects at speed and scale across the UK. Our recent investment in a complete digital transformation is taking our production to the next level, maximising our efficiency and increasing our yearly output.
Why Thurston Group?
By choosing Thurston Group, you’re selecting an offsite construction partner dedicated to quality, innovation, and sustainability. Whether you’re looking for a bespoke cabin, or a large-scale build, we’re here to make your modular project a success.
As expert leaders in UK offsite manufacturing, we deliver turnkey modular solutions across education, commercial, residential, and specialist sectors – with cabins, buildings, and bespoke structures tailored to every need.
Airtight, Efficient and Ready for Delivery: Optimising the Envelope with Proshield®
As demand for modular and high-rise construction accelerates, getting the building envelope right is more important than ever. Proshield®, a vapour-permeable, self-adhesive membrane from Don & Low, meets that challenge head-on.
DESIGNERS AND CONTRACTORS
require solutions that strike a balance between performance and practicality, delivering airtightness, moisture control, and fire protection without compromising installation speed.
Smart sealing for modern methods
Proshield® is a fully self-adhesive, vapourpermeable membrane engineered for the demands of offsite and high-rise construction. Its three-layer structure (270g/sq m), comprising a robust air barrier, adhesive coating, and transparent silicone-coated PET release liner, offers high damage resistance and easy installation. Unlike traditional membranes that require primers, tapes, or mechanical fixings, Proshield® bonds directly to a range of substrates, including OSB, steel, concrete, timber, gypsum board, aluminium, and wood. Whether applied in the factory or on-site, it forms a continuous, fully bonded, airtight layer across walls, floors, and roofs.
Designed to save time on-site
Time is critical in modular construction. Products that reduce sequencing steps bring significant gains. Proshield® requires
no primers or extra sealing products. Its peel-and-stick application speeds up sealing, streamlining production and enabling rapid weatherproofing on-site. By placing the air barrier externally, Proshield® simplifies detailing. The membrane serves as both an airtight layer and secondary weather barrier, helping projects reach wind and watertight stages sooner – supporting faster build programmes and handovers.
Built to withstand the real world
Factory-built modules are often exposed to the elements during transit and installation. Proshield® is made to perform under pressure, achieving Class W1 water resistance (EN 13859-1) and withstanding over a metre of water. For fire safety, it achieves Class B-s1,d0 (BS EN 13501-1) when adhered to appropriate substrates* (*Class B-s1,d0 fire rating applies to installation over calcium silicate or fibre cement board. Other substrates may vary) meeting the needs of modular and high-rise construction. With low vapour resistance, Proshield® maintains airtightness while allowing trapped moisture to escape, reducing risks of condensation, mould, and structural damage.
Images 1-2: Proshield®’s bright blue colour aids visibility on-site, while its printed grid helps ensure accurate alignment
Practical details that make a difference
The Proshield® bright blue colour aids visibility on-site, while its printed grid helps ensure accurate alignment. Don & Low also supplies a complete set of matching accessories, including tapes in various widths and preformed corners, ideal for sealing windows, doors, and external junctions.
Quality you can specify with confidence
Manufactured in the UK by Don & Low – the UK’s only vertically integrated membrane producer – Proshield® ensures consistent quality and responsive supply. It contains at least 20% recycled content and will be supported by an environmental product declaration (EPD), offering independently verified lifecycle impact data. BBA certification is underway, reinforcing its reliability in modern specification.
Every roll of Proshield® is backed by Don & Low’s in-house technical support, offered free of charge. From build-up detailing and product selection to installation guidance, their expert team ensures airtightness is achieved as designed. Find out more at: www.donlow.co.uk
The perfect partner for the offsite sector
James Latham is one of the UK and Ireland’s largest independent distributors of timber, panels and decorative surfaces.
With a huge stockholding, solid supply chains and market-leading environmental credentials, we can supply everything you need, from standard construction products to high performing specialist materials
Great service Rapid delivery
Nationwide depots
Scan the QR code to find out more
Product knowledge Huge stockholding
Carbon data available
Or visit our website at www.lathamtimber.co.uk
In terms of strength, workability, consistency and certification, WISA-Spruce Special is perfect for an industry that prizes quality, repeatability and accuracy.
• Structurally robust
• Dimensionally consistent
• Also available as a Class-B (B-s1,d0 and Bfl-s1) fire rated variant (WISA Spruce FR)
• Fully certified and sustainable
In Conversation with Robert Palmer on Offsite Manufacturing.
Offsite is never one-size-fits-all. We work with our customers to create systems that are ready to install and tailored to their project.
Robert
Palmer, Managing Director at Isoclad.
What makes lamination such a game-changer for offsite construction?
Our laminating facility produces fully built-up, ready-to-install systems designed to integrate directly into modular production lines. Traditionally, these components would be assembled separately on site, which takes more time, more labour, and generates more waste. By delivering complete, installation-ready systems, we remove those inefficiencies and help manufacturers improve production throughput, maintain consistent quality, and keep projects moving without interruption.
How does this benefit manufacturers’ timelines and costs?
By providing pre-assembled systems, we reduce on-site handling, minimise reliance on multiple trades, and streamline fit-out sequencing. This approach significantly shortens installation time, helping to avoid programme overruns. Every hour saved on site has a measurable impact on project costs, allowing manufacturers to deliver on time and within budget.
What sets Isoclad apart in this space?
We combine over 40 years of manufacturing experience with a modern UK facility, advanced lamination capability, and a dedicated in-house design team. This means we can deliver both high-volume standardised systems and unique bespoke configurations that may not be available elsewhere in the market. Our flexibility and problem-solving approach make us a true project partner, not just a supplier.
How do you support unique or complex project requirements?
From the first conversation, we work closely with our customers to understand their goals, challenges, and timelines. If a project needs a custom configuration, our design team will develop it, our manufacturing team will build it, and we will deliver it to site ready for immediate installation. This process ensures the end product meets both the technical and practical demands of the build, no ma er how complex.
Dates for your diary
Offsite Expo
16 - 17 Sept 2025
Coventry Building Society Arena
OFFSITE EXPO is a dynamic open source event that offers unparalleled opportunities to look to new horizons to address the issues that have plagued the construction industry for decades.
Offsite Awards
16 September 2025
Coventry Building Society Arena
Join industry pioneers, innovators, and thought leaders at the forefront of modern construction. The OFFSITE AWARDS are more than a celebration – they’re your gateway to game-changing insights, connections, and opportunity.
Structural Timber Conference
1 October 2025
NCC, Birmingham
The STRUCTURAL TIMBER CONFERENCE will provide a focal point for celebrating timber’s success and steering discussions that will define its future, featuring a programme of keynote speakers, seminars, and expert panel discussions.
Structural Timber Awards
1 October 2025
NCC, Birmingham
The STRUCTURAL TIMBER AWARDS are returning to celebrate outstanding projects, inspiring individuals, and the coming together of an industry. Winners will be announced celebrating architectural and engineering ingenuity in timber construction.
Explore Offsite Housing
25 - 26 November 2025
NCC, Birmingham
To gain insight from those who are shaping the future of the offsite housing sector, the EXPLORE OFFSITE HOUSING Conference brings together technology leaders to discuss the growing opportunities that the housing shortage presents for offsite construction.
Lingen Davies Cancer Fund
Partnering with the Lingen Davies Cancer Fund, we will be increasing our fundraising efforts in 2025 to support those who need it most. To donate use the following QR code:
Precision-engineered façades for modern housebuilding
Brick, reimagined for offsite. Sustainable, rapid-install façades buil t for the future of housebuilding.
Developed in collaboration with leading UK housebuilders, Mauerwall delivers the speed, quality and compliance today’s projects demand.
CERT IFIED DESIGN WI THOUT LIMI TS
Discover how Mauerwall can transform your next project...
RAPID INSTALLATION
ULTRA-LOW CARBON
Built on Tradition, Driven by Innovation
Since 1792
In response to the growing demand for enhanced thermal performance in modular and high-rise structures, Don & Low presents Proshield®. This self-adhesive, vapour permeable and airtight membrane is designed for walls, floors and roofs, with its advanced properties ensuring a fully airtight building envelope. Offering high tensile strength and effortless installation, Proshield® is also available in custom prints tailored to your business needs.
LOOKING FOR A LIGHT STEEL MANUFACTURER THAT
Fire-Tested and Future-Proof
Essential for compartmentation in multi-storey residential buildings, Frameclad systems are rigorously tested and deliver up to 120 minutes of fire resistance.
FIRE-TESTED – in accordance with BS EN 1365, BS EN 1364 and BS 476
TECHNICAL EXPERTISE – 14-strong team of in-house designers and engineers
DIGITAL ENGINEERING – bespoke Tekla software offers complete traceability
MANUFACTURING – one of the largest ranges of steel sections available in the UK today
EXTENSIVE SUPPORT – regional teams assist with specification and compliance
INDEPENDENT VALIDATION – BOPAS Accreditation, CE Certified, and SCI / NHBC
BUILDING SAFETY – fully compliant steel framing systems to rigorous safety standards
