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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 46 Summer 2O17 <strong>4150</strong>
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Page 1 and 2: Summer 2O17 issue 4150 School build
Page 3 and 4: Dear Reader, Welcome to the Summer
Page 5 and 6: Article Thorlux takes education lig
Page 7 and 8: Vulcathene create state-of-the-art
Page 9 and 10: @EduEstates “The Education and Sk
Page 11 and 12: connect with us Lighting control in
Page 13 and 14: EDUCATION RANGE A range of made-to-
Page 15 and 16: Customise your W Y E A R A 20 R R A
Page 17 and 18: Raising the Bar with creative sport
Page 19 and 20: NO BROKEN GLA ASS, SIMPLY RESETET R
Page 21 and 22: Product News Concord cuts lighting
Page 23 and 24: The approach is very sustainable be
Page 25 and 26: The Outstanding Joist System The Po
Page 27 and 28: Heating & Ventilation Innovation he
Page 29: Summer 2O17 4150 29
Page 32 and 33: Walls, Floors & Ceilings Replacing
Page 34 and 35: Walls, Floors & Ceilings Forbo’s
Page 36 and 37: Article Safe heating for buildings
Page 38 and 39: Cladding Special King’s School (L
Page 40 and 41: Offsite & Modular Building School o
Page 42 and 43: Product News Hazlemere goes green w
Page 44 and 45: Product News Safe roofing solutions

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