Modular Architecture So, what is modular architecture? We can define it as construction based on modules, elements that are equal to each other, together, can be used to form new structures. It has been with us for several years now, probably longer than you may appreciate and yet modular architecture still seems to be a rare advert in the world of architecture. The construction market has continued to move forward and to couple materials and procedures without stopping, making it difficult for a disruptive trend such as modular architecture to

Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) ‘Modern Methods of Construction’ (MMC) is a wide term, embracing a range of offsite manufacturing and onsite techniques that provide alternatives to traditional house building. MMC ranges from whole homes being constructed from factory-built volumetric modules to the use of innovative techniques for laying concrete blockwork onsite.   Since early in the 20th century, there have been previous periods of engagement with various alternative methods of construction in order to boost the country’s house-building output, most notably in the post-war period. With each iteration the

Passive Design The basic principle of passive design uses layout, fabric and form to reduce or remove (if possible) mechanical cooling, heating, ventilation and lighting.   The passive design maximises the use of ‘natural’ sources of heating, cooling and ventilation to create comfortable conditions inside buildings. It harnesses environmental conditions such as solar radiation, cool night air and air pressure differences to drive the internal environment. Passive measures do not involve mechanical or electrical systems.   As opposed to ‘active’ design which makes use of active building services systems to

Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA)   Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) must be established as the default approach so that the systems and processes that underpin it are better understood by clients and become second nature to everyone else involved in the design, manufacture and assembly of buildings.   There are four reasons why this is important.   1. Smooth the way to achieving the transformation that the UK Government has outlined for the procurement of its construction pipeline (up to £37 billion in 2021) in many policy

Simplifying? Net Zero Modular Buildings For those in the built environment, particularly those of us who specialise in sustainable design, this increased level of concern is long overdue. It’s no secret that the industry (construction) is responsible for a huge proportion of emissions; 40% to be exact, and the move toward a zero-carbon future has been sluggish and fraught with perceived difficulty.   The good news is that the decarbonisation of buildings is possible. We’ve seen more action around net zero in the past 12 months than in the entire