Making Places with MMC

Making Places with MMCWebinar | 30 June 2020

Insight Report

thehousingforumwww.housingforum.org.uk

thehousingforumthehousingforumwww.housingforum.org.uk

This is the second in our webinar series on MMC – Making Places with MMC.

The mantra has been to plan and design for MMC and this been brought even

more into focus with Covid 19 -

• With lockdown people are much more aware of their surroundings

• The effect of place on heath and wellbeing is even more prominent.


Panel Session 1

Health and Housing context within Placemaking

Photograph courtesy – Cross Keys Homes


Collaborative Design Principles

Susan May, Head of Design at Urban Design London

• How can we design and deliver well integrated places?

• How do we work with the supply chain to ensure collaboration?

• Can MMC help deliver environmental improvements?


Commentary

• The National Design Guide which came out last year from the

government provides a holistic view of ten characteristics of well designed

places, and explains how these work together to make well designed

places.

• You can use this guide to check and guide how well your MMC scheme

contributes to place making. Resources on place making can also be found

on our website at https://www.urbandesignlondon.com.

• This presentation focusses on how the use of the ‘sharp end’ of MMC -

volumetric construction contributes to placemaking, looking at areas where

it performs well and those where there are challenges and opportunities.

• Other types of MMC are easier to integrate into a wide range of building

types and settings.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/843468/National_Design_Guide.pdf

https://www.urbandesignlondon.com/

National Design Guide – Place check

Beechwood, Basildon Image courtesy of Swan Housing

• Climate...Character...Community

• What does MMC do well?

• Where are the challenges?

• Where are the opportunities?


Commentary

• Areas where MMC contributes greatly to placemaking are in the efficient use of

resources, for example designing to standard dimensions; the creation of distinctive

places with interesting character; working well alongside nature and finally for

meanwhile uses, creating public realm which is social and inclusive and inviting

creativity.

• Areas where there are challenges and opportunities are integrating volumetric

construction into areas with heritage and local character; working alongside the full

range of building types and mixed uses (for example entertainment or civic buildings),

and integrating with the use of mass in our built environment.

• So where can we focus to meet the placemaking challenge? We can explore further

how to integrate with areas of existing character and heritage; provide legacy

buildings, pushing out the lifecycles; make the process serve the outcome; showcase

great examples where these challenges have been overcome and finally ensure we

monitor and learn lessons along the way.

What does MMC do well?


Efficient use of resources‘designs based on the typical dimensions of materials toreduce waste.’

Distinctive, create character

Social and inclusive Working alongside nature

Challenges and Opportunities


Well-designed, high quality and attractive

Respond to local character and identity

‘Careful consideration needs to be given to placemaking, local distinctiveness and the character of new homes and buildings..’

Full range of building types

Use of mass, buildings in use

Areas to focus on...


1. Working with existing character

2. Legacy building – push the timeframe out

3. Process working for the outcome (not other way around!)

4. Showcase great examples

5. Monitoring and learning lessons


Offsite from the Offset

Paul Inch, Director at BD Solutions OSM Consultants

1. How can offsite / MMC deliver great places?

2. How can with offsite / MMC better align with placemaking?

3. Some examples

Offsite Construction Consultancy

Aligning Placemaking & MMC


Commentary

• BD Solutions sits in a unique position, bridging the gap between the Offsite

manufacturing (OSM) supply chain and end user.

• Assisting their clients in understanding the myriad of available build

systems, approaches and engagement models.

• We are working with a number of HAs, Local Authorities such as City of

London, Slough etc and Contractors in Resi/affordable markets such as

Wates.

• Releasing the benefits that Offsite construction methods can bring and

improving project outcomes, BDS remain Offsite and Modern Methods of

Construction (MMC) system agnostic.

• All solutions and approaches are objectively considered, presented and

benchmarked against traditional construction options.

“In order to successfully utilise products manufactured

offsite, you must think ‘Offsite’ from the outset.”

The same principle should apply to place making, too often as with MMC placemaking is perhaps

viewed as an after thought or there is no budget left in a scheme to deliver the potential that most sites

have. MMC has the flexibility and capability to deliver great places if used as a means of delivering the

place making vision and not by driving place making in itself.

Perhaps the question should be ‘how can we better align MMC with Placemaking?’

BD Solutions | Offsite Construction Consultancy June 2020


Commentary

How offsite / MMC can deliver great places

Breaking Preconceptions:

• Many architects have perceptions around MMC being standardised boxes, and

feel the price of compromise for modular is too high.

• There is also concern that clients are prioritising MMC and placemaking is losing

out.

• Factories should not dictate form, we have come a long way since 1960’s pre-

fabs.

• So many people in the industry are perpetuating MMC as only volumetric and

creating ugly backdrops to the public realm which is very unfortunate.

• This is just not the case, most forms of MMC can’t be differentiated, this is all

about unlocking the possibilities of MMC and good design.

• Architects and clients need to lead the process and understand how to use all

MMC categories to create great places


CommentaryHow offsite /MMC can better align with placemaking

• Focusing on how MMC can benefit creating healthier communities through prioritising placemaking at an early stage and using natural, sustainable materials

Example – Hanham Hall

• Hanham Hall, completed in 2015, is expected to be used as a roadmap within the housebuilding industry for future sustainable, energy efficient living.

• The development is providing 186 homes for sale and rent, ranging from one-bedroom apartments to five-bedroom houses, all packed with innovative ideas.

• Building a sustainable community is not just about meeting codes, but creating a place where people want to build their lives, where they feel safe and comfortable, and where they are inspired to live harmoniously with their environment.

• A sustainable mixed-use development on the site of the former Hanham Hall Hospital in Bristol. An essential part of the brief was to provide new dwellings that exceed Level 6 of the Code, resulting in a ‘zero carbon’ footprint, and to convert Hanham Hall itself into apartments, thereby ensuring the future of this fine Listed building.

• The proposals aim to bring sustainable living into the mainstream by balancing the need to achieve zero carbon with that of good place-making.

Hanham Hall allotments


CommentaryExample – Hanham Hall cont.

• The development achieves a suitably dense layout, comprised of streets and squares, which

embraces a reduced dependence on the car by delivering pedestrian-friendly shared surface

streets.

• A contemporary take on recognised housing forms encompasses green technology as an integral

part of the design. Key aspirations are for all dwellings to have flexible and open plan living

spaces receiving direct sunlight, south-facing outdoor space and a high level of natural light within

the plan.

• A pedestrian-focussed ‘active’ landscape is integral to the proposals and includes a trim track,

substantial tree planting, orchards, allotments and three new ponds as part of a sustainable

drainage system.

• Commercial accommodation is sited around The Triangle, a public space located to the east of

Hanham Hall, and comprises a health and fitness centre which includes teaching kitchens, bakery,

delicatessen, farmers market, fitness space, crèche and general business space.

• This was all progressed from an early stage with a Offsite SIP system, I worked on this for a

couple of years as we puzzled with the design team how to deliver the ambitious performance

objectives, to deliver iconic houses, in a great place and within budget. We succeeded!


Q&A

Question from Danisa Baloyi, Kirklees Council

Do you see MMC being used often or starting to be used more by volume housebuilders? If not are

there are issues that the panel think affect volume housebuilders using MCC in their developments?

E.g. tradition, existing supply chains etc? From local developments I tend to be aware of MMC being

used by more specialised / SME construction companies – e.g. the Climate Innovation District in

Leeds

Response

Paul Inch – You shouldn’t be able to tell MMC from the outside. Volumetric adoption is quite low.

However, there are many categories of MMC, 7 have been identified and most builders are using

some form of MMC such as panelised systems. It’s not just about boxes. Every sector has different

drivers and its about identifying these drivers. Cost certainty is key for the volumetric side. The skills

shortage will drive greater use of MMC.

Susan May – MMC is not very well integrated with the volumetric side. Housing Associations are

adopting more. There’s issues in really understanding MMC so a communications issue. There’s

challenges with timber frame MMC and increased safety concerns. MMC also needs to consider

products and adaptability for some higher end developments such as basement conversions


Panel session 2

Our Future Places

Photograph courtesy - PRP


MMC: enabling Health, Wellbeing, Placemaking

Marylis Ramos, Director, Development Consultancy at PRP

• How can MMC enable health and wellbeing in homes?

• How can MMC be used for retrofit innovation?

• What is the relationship between MMC and placemaking?


Commentary

• MMC can be a crucial enabler for placemaking. This is not something that is

always evident but when you review developments this become clear.

• I’ve developed the following infographic which helps clarify how MMC can

help enable heathy homes and a more sustainable future

All images copyright of PRP Architects LLP


Commentary

• MMC needs to be merged with architectural design

• The following slides show three examples of placemaking at various scales

Placemaking at all ScalesVision Modular for Pocket Living at Bollo Lane

• Aimed at compact living and affordable home

ownership. Includes 112 studios (39m2) over a

commercial base in a 14 storey tower

• OSM allowed development of this highly constrained

site (railways on 3 of 4 sides) and a 23% reduction in

programme

• Uses the Vision Modular 3D/volumetric system with

separate large format façade elements


• Berkeley Modular’s new modular housing

system - 32 terraced houses (2 types)

comprising a group of ‘Urban Houses’ at

Kidbrooke Village in SE London

• Volumetric/3D system, with traditionally

constructed masonry cavity façade

• Conversion-friendly spaces to

accommodate for future needs

• Private outdoor spaces in front and on

roof, ‘traditional’ street settings

• Shared facilities, including swimming pool,

fitness studio, residents’ cinema and

business suite

• Proximity to Kidbrooke Village Centre and

four integrated yet distinctly different

neighbourhoods

Placemaking at all ScalesBerkeley Modular at Kidbrooke Village


• 393 Zero Carbon Homes in

Northwest Bicester, only one of 10

developments in the world to

achieve Bioregional’s One Planet

Living status

• Timber frame systems were used for

Phases 1 and 2, enabling a pair of

semi-detached homes to be weather

tight, air tight, secure and fully

insulated within 72 hours

• 40% of the masterplan has been

given over to green spaces,

including allotments, play areas,

sports and recreational facilities, a

country park, a community farm, and

interconnected walking and cycle

paths

• Brand new village centre

Placemaking at all ScalesWillmott Partnership Homes for A2Dominion at

Bicester Eco Town


• 2D pre-cast concrete sandwich panel system for 2/3

storey housing, that uses ‘platform’ components with

pre-installed façades and use of bathroom pods.

• Based on a system which has been successfully used

in the Netherlands for a number of years

• Structure is limited to perimeter walls and central stair,

so offers lots of flexibility for internal configuration and

future adaption. Some RSLs are considering the

system to offer a ‘shell only’ option, with their

own/residents’ internal fit out.

• PRP have been working for 3 years with Volker

Fitzpatrick to develop the system for use in the UK, with

the Boxwood Development likely to be the first volume

use of the system in the UK

• DC Team currently advising on detailed specifications

for achieving Zero Carbon, Future Homes Standard

and developing materials passports for the modules

Placemaking at all ScalesMorgenWonen for Volker Fitzpatrick at Boxwood



Commentary

• Reviewing MMC’s role in retrofit was interesting

• I found that retrofit fulfils 4 of the 7 MMC categories

• We used an MMC mind-set to scale up retrofit using traditional materials

• Also investigating use of 3D printing technology.

THE 7 MMC CATEGORIES

Category 1 – Pre-Manufacturing - 3D primary structural systems

Category 2 – Pre-Manufacturing - 2D primary structural systems

Category 3 – Pre-Manufacturing - Non systemised structural components

Category 4 – Pre-Manufacturing - Additive Manufacturing

Category 5 – Pre-Manufacturing – Non-structural assemblies and sub-assemblies

Category 6 – Traditional building product led site labour reduction/productivity improvements

Category 7 – Site process led labour reduction/productivity improvements

• How can we speed up the delivery of

upgrading the UK’s existing housing

stock?

• Traditional building products BUT:

• Polycompetent team

• Just-in-time delivery

• Pre-manufactured,

standardised thermal detailing

• Robotic underfloor insulation

• Laser-scanned, offsite cut

insulation

Retrofit MMCThe Scaling Up Retrofit Project


• How can we speed up the

delivery of upgrading the

UK’s existing housing stock?

• Can we 3D print thermal

insulation?

• How can we use laser

scanning, thermal imaging,

hyperspectral imaging to

facilitate data gathering on

sitewide retrofit sites?

Retrofit MMCIUK Phygital Project

All images copyright of Qbot Ltd


Housing Need and Community– the MMC offer?

Joanne Payne, Service Manager Housing Growth, Housing & Neighbourhoods at Sheffield City Council

• Well-being and community initiatives in Sheffield's programme

• How MMC works in with the council's housing strategy

• How should Covid-19 reactions influence housing and estate design for the better?

Sheffield City Council Stock Increase Programme & Utilising MMC

Thursday 30 June 2020

Joanne PayneService Manager

Housing Growth Delivery

Housing Growth – the “Corporate Agenda”

• Use new housing to help reduce inequality

• Ensuring no one is living in a home that damages their health

• Ensuring residents feel safe by creating sustainable neighbourhoods and communities with a sense of place

• Provide more choice of good quality and affordable homes for all lifestyles

Using MMC to deliver the Corporate Agenda

• Using MMC to deliver housing on small sites could bring the following outcomes & benefits:

• Deliver housing that may be difficult/costly to procure otherwise

• Reduce the opportunity for anti-social behaviour

• Utilise existing brownfield land unattractive to the private sector

• Regenerate areas marred by fragmented housing, replacing the housing density that historically created communities

• Improve the safety and security of existing residents

• Encourage a sense of place in the regenerated areas

‘Le Paris Du Quart D’Heure’ Anne Hidalgo, Paris En Commun, Dossier de Presse. January 2020

Finally this plan shows a holistic

view of a healthy homes plan in

Paris where all the features of a

healthy home and lifestyle are

catered for within a 15 minute

walking distance from the home.

This was an inspiring vision of

how to create sustainable

neighbourhoods


Q&A

Question from Bob Heapy, Town & Country Housing

When we emerge from the COVID pandemic it is likely that we will see a permanent change in working practices and patterns with more remote, agile and homeworking. How can place shaping, design and MMC support the new working environment particular thinking of homeworking and work / life balance?

Response: Marylis Ramos – Flexibility and adaptability of homes will be even more important. The emphasis on air quality will have a bearing. Noise pollution and distancing can be better controlled in a factory setting.

Jo Payne– There will be infrastructure considerations such as fast broadband and space for homeworking. Need to include separate family spaces for alone time/quiet working . There’s a need to ensure that not all development is high density and Sheffield City Council’s new build programme aims to maintain high space standards.


Panel session 3

A Place for All

Photograph courtesy – Pollard Thomas Edwards


Foundation 200Emma Fletcher, Managing Director at Hill Partnerships

• Small sites helping the homeless through MMC

• How Hill determined the fundamentals of design and MMC product

• Cost and maintenance considerations

In 1999, Hill’s founder

and CEO, Andy Hill, was

made redundant and he,

with his young family,

risked losing their home.


Commentary

• The charitable initiative, launched in 2019 and known as Foundation 200, is part of Hill Group’s 20th

anniversary celebrations and will cost the housebuilder in excess of £12m. This stemmed from Andy Hill’s

recollection of nearly being made homeless himself and his interest in making a difference to homeless

issues.

• The 24m2 one-bedroom properties are built using offsite volumetric modular Modern Methods of

Construction, can be transported by flatbed lorry, and craned into place in just 30 minutes.

• They are designed to Future Homes Standards, anticipate the new Part L fire regulations, BOPAS

accredited, have a 60-year life expectancy and will be gifted for free to homeless charities fully kitted out

with everything from plates to towels, duvet to sofa as turnkey properties. They will be arranged in small

groups, with no more than eight on one site and no higher than two storeys.

• The 200 properties will be gifted over a five year period (40/year) with the first sites anticipated before

Christmas this year.

• Further interest has been shown by local authorities in buying the homes following the Covid-19

homeless crisis. The Hill Group are now scaling up production with an off-site manufacturer to go beyond

the original 200 gifted homes.

Renewable Energy

Technology

Air Source Heat Pump &

Mechanical Ventilation and

Heat Recovery (MVHR) unit,

for controlled air changes

within each home

Uniform structure, meaning easy

to relocate and re-install time and

time again

Low carbon emissions/Low

running cost circa £5 per week


Commentary

• The teams at Hill set to work to develop the units for homeless people coming out of hostels or from

the street

• The modules can be put on site within 30 minutes from a crane.

• Turnkey solution with full kitted interior from white goods to linens and even clothing working with

another charity

• Smaller than other solutions but are very specific to the needs of the homeless. Set up for very

specific single person occupancy.

• Since Covid there has been a significant increase in demand so will be moving beyond the free units.

• The units can be built for circa £50,000 as they are likely to be eligible for the Homes England ‘move

on’* fund but there is a need for land

• They can go on very difficult sites where they come into their own e.g. back of shops

• Hill are reviewing best way to upscale production and hope to make an announcement soon on

volume production

*The Government is making available £50million across England (outside London) up to 2020/21 through the Move On Fund.

The fund is part of a package of measures that have been announced through the Government’s new Rough Sleeping Strategy.

INTERNAL DESIGN


Well-designed homes in well-designed places

Nigel Ostime, Delivery Director at Hawkins Brown

• Key basic principles in placemaking with MMC

• How to maximise the minimum amount of external space for

wellbeing

• Younger and Older generations - key design for well-being

considerations


Commentary

• The presentation looks at four examples of projects Hawkins Brown have worked on to illustrate the key points to

address in this presentation

• As an overarching comment - good placemaking comes with well considered design.

• We need to standardise what can be standardised in both process and product so we can focus more on the

elements to do with the place and which affect the quality of the built environment

• In a review of over 1700 apartments as part of a major R&D project we found amongst other things that bathrooms

designed from scratch were very similar and varied in size by no more than 100mm. So why redesign each time!

(See next slide for a standardised approach to bathrooms)

• This standardised approach can apply to other elements such as kitchen units, utility cupboards and other

components so the designer can spend more time on what really adds value

• We have developed a range of apartment layouts, but the key is that all can be built using traditional or offsite

methods (Categories 1 & 2 + 3 & 5).

• With MMC you know that at an early stage of the planning process quality can be built in. This is useful because

as we know quality can drop off post planning

• Architects must embrace standardisation not be afraid of it as it can, rather counter intuitively, improve

placemaking

Key basic principles in placemaking with MMC

Standard flat layouts mean you can

design in a fraction of the time and

planning can be achieved quickly as they

are know components which can be

delivered


Commentary

• Next slide shows a development in Agar Grove in Camden which shows how to

maximise the minimum amount of external space

• Camden put energy performance and fuel poverty top of the agenda.

• Agar Grove is the largest of Camden Council’s community investment projects. It will

provide 493 affordable homes for new and existing tenants, and once complete will

be Passivhaus accredited promoting a ‘fabric-first’ approach to energy performance

and human comfort.

• Agar Grove is already a pleasant place to live, but the existing layout of the estate

does not compare well to today’s principles of good design. It is inefficient, out-dated

and disconnected from the wider city.

How to maximise the minimum amount of external space for well-being


Commentary

• Natural light and open spaces make the homes feel welcoming and

spacious. Double height communal entrances offer a direct view through the

building to the residents’ garden on entering. Stairwells and corridors are

naturally lit and ventilated, with a touch of colour and pattern.

• The next phase of development will provide internal amenity space,

designed as ‘solariums’ 2.25 x 2.25 m. (next slide). Big opening windows

with drained tiled floors. Suitable for various uses such as dining,

greenhouse or home office.

• If this is a new typology it may need to be considered for MMC

Solarium, Agar Grove, Camden


Commentary

Younger and Older generation housing – key design for wellbeing

• For successful multi gen homes you need space at ground level – low level

terrace homes work well for example

• Much of MMC is focussed on build to rent which focusses on younger

generation

• The next slide shows Stratford East village which is an example of this.

Here the communal space is on the roof or sky bridge

Younger and older generations - key design for well-being considerations

Younger and older generations - key design for well-being considerations

The sky bridge communal

area was fully built offsite

and craned in


Commentary

• At a different scale we recently won a competition for temporary

accommodation run by Rotherham council.

• The design incorporates the Wikihouse system which we had used at our

Olympic legacy project Here East. Wikihouse is a parametric system that

generates CNC plywood components which can be assembled by unskilled

workers. For this project Hawkins\Brown is developing a volumetric

approach, in collaboration with Buro Happold.

• This can be a relatively cheap system which can be moved and adapted to

suit the environment

https://www.wikihouse.cc/About


Q&A

Question from Andrew Osborne

Why is it felt that volumetric offers the best opportunities when there are other categories

for MMC deployment.?

Response:

Nigel Ostime– there is too much emphasis on volumetric systems. Our aim should be to

maximise pre-manufactured value, using the systems best suited to the particular site

and building type, and recognising the capacity limitations of the manufacturing industry.

Emma Fletcher- Not one size fits all. Agree that it needs to be appropriate to the site.

MMC is an opportunity to get more women into construction as it provides a better

working environment


Q&A

Question from Jacob Willson, Be First London

I’m particularly interested in the role of MMC in driving improved sustainability, energy performance and use of more sustainable materials. Can the panel talk about the importance of MMC in driving improved standards rather than replicating what is generally achieved with traditional construction methods?

ResponseMarylis Ramos – trying to get discussions on recyclable components. So in collaboration we need to work out how it can contribute to the circular economy

Susan May – We need to consider how demountable are the elements. If materials can be manufactured in a way they can be recycled then this could have huge impact on MMC going forward

Paul Inch – factories are all about production and standardisation. They will always know where materials have come from enabling more effective recycling. For example, treated and untreated sawdust can be used appropriately. The nature of the construction can achieve reduction of energy loss using a lower room size and footprint

Jo Payne – from a client perspective architects, developers and manufacturers need to help clients understand that you don’t have to have traditional build to achieve high standards. Local Authorities need to be able to make it clear to decision makers that, although MMC may be potentially more expensive in the current market, it can help achieve zero carbon targets more effectively

Documents

Making Places with MMC