SB 4150 Web

In my opinion
Embracing modular construction
The Education Funding Agency has recently announced a £95m framework to design and build modular primary schools in
England, which could herald a whole new generation of schools being delivered using off-site construction. Nicolas Maari, Head
of Architecture at Pellings, thinks that MMC is the future.
Ibelieve that we will see an upsurge in
MMC (modern methods of construction)
in the coming years to drive efficiencies
and save costs. This is all the more relevant
in the current economic climate and the
possible departure of vast numbers of
skilled construction workers heading home
to the EU with Brexit looming.
To my mind traditional construction
practices are often outmoded, adversarial,
lead to cost over-runs, and are managed on
too-thin margins, where profits become
losses at the slightest problem.
Off-site modular has moved on a long way
since the typical post-war buildings that
were rapidly set down on sites to satisfy
expanding pupil numbers. Nowadays, the
volumetric box is no longer the only
solution. For example, there are now
Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) and crosslaminated
timber panel solutions that are
constructed off-site. Because they are
delivered in panel sections, these solutions
allow much greater flexibility to create
different building configurations and adapt
the design to current educational teaching
methods. Also, modular offers much greater
speed of delivery which helps to deliver
buildings on time for new academic years.
However, there is a much greater need for
accurate preparation work prior to ordering
Hayes School, Bromley, Kent
the panels from the factory. Once an order is
made, if the piping and ductwork is in the
wrong place there can be serious
delays and cost over-runs if reordering
from the factory is
required.
This flags up another
misconception
which is the
suggestion
that off-site
construction
dispenses
with the need
for
architectural
design and
technical
input. Aside
from ensuring
that the
panels are
properly
specified prior
Nicolas Maari, Head of
Architecture, Pellings
to ordering from the factory there is still the
need for expert architectural input with
knowledge of the most appropriate physical
lay-outs that respond to the latest
educational thinking.
After all, the only standardised element is the
grid and structural element, leaving
fenestration and facades to be designed.
Modular design has a range of
configurations, it can all be done in the
factory or part in factory and part
in-situ. Brick and masonry can
be done on site, with
panelling manufactured
in the factory, or it is
even possible to
use brick SIPs.
No school site
is the same
and each one
may have
very different
acoustic and
ventilation
needs.
Differing
thermal and
sound
specifications
will
necessitate the use of architectural expertise
in selecting appropriate building fabric
solutions to counter these issues.
Up until now one of the major inhibitors to
the uptake of modular solutions has been the
attitude of large-scale contractors.
Understandably where they make a
significant margin on the use of numerous
sub-contractors they may not to be too keen
on handing over up to a third of that to an
off-site main contractor.
But technology is unstoppable and now is
the time to break the cycle and get modular
contractors to play much more the role of
the main contractor, which will then create a
great deal more competition for the industry.
This in turn will leads to economies of scale
and manufacturing cost reductions.
Of course, the education sector has been
steps ahead of sectors such as housing for
some time in embracing certain aspects of
modular construction but, as an architect, I
am sure there is a great opportunity to fully
embrace it and I don’t believe for one minute
it is a threat to the education design skills I
have gained over many years. Bring it on!
www.pellings.co.uk
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Summer 2O17 4150