Sustainable construction iNet conducts off-site comparison project

Commissioned by the Sustainable Construction innovation Network (iNet) and supported by East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and the East Midlands Regional Housing Group, the project will compare ‘off-site’ housing construction techniques with the aim of broadening awareness and understanding of how the relative costs impact on the viable delivery of new housing.

The iNet’s director, Dr John Liddle, explained the thinking behind the project:

“Numerous studies have been undertaken to investigate the benefits of innovative ‘off-site’ or ‘Modern Methods’ of construction but the comparisons have been with traditional construction methods. As more ‘off-site’ techniques are being introduced and used in building it is vital that we have validated research which clearly demonstrates how viable these techniques are when compared in the same test case scenario.”

In order to provide a ‘real-life’ basis for the project, a study site has been identified and initial drawings compiled, together with proposed properties, sizes and dimensions, internal layouts, external appearance and finishes. Participants will be required to submit programmes and preliminary costs for the whole construction phase and demonstrate where solutions may add or decrease costs.

“One of the main features of this project is to highlight a wide variety of ‘off-site’ housing manufacturing processes and the selected contributor, which could for example be a consortium of ‘off-site’ manufacturer and a principal contractor, will be required to provide programmes and preliminary costs for the whole of the construction phase,” explained Dr Liddle.

The concluding report will deliver an independent scrutiny and review of the issues involved and it is hoped it will help the promotion of the skills and capacities required within the region to support the commercial development of these increasingly utilised construction techniques.

The Sustainable Construction iNet is funded by East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).