Modern methods of construction - Revision history

Designing Buildings at 08:36, 24 September 2026

2026-09-24T08:36:14Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:36, 24 September 2026
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−	~~[[File:Modular-offsite290.jpg\|link=File:Modular-offsite290.jpg]]~~
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	= Introduction =		= Introduction =

	Since the Second World War, and the desperate need to deliver new housing quickly, modern methods of construction (MMC, or 'smart construction') has been promoted as a way of working more effectively to achieve more without using more. It centres around the use of off-site construction techniques that can benefit from factory conditions and mass production techniques.		Since the Second World War, and the desperate need to deliver new housing quickly, modern methods of construction (MMC, or 'smart construction') has been promoted as a way of working more effectively to achieve more without using more. It centres around the use of off-site construction techniques that can benefit from factory conditions and mass production techniques.

−	In November 2005, again in the midst of a housing crisis, The National Audit Office (NAO) published 'Using modern methods of construction to build homes more quickly and efficiently'. It was commissioned by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Housing Corporation, and was ~~indented~~ to identify ways of getting best value when using MMC. It defined MMC as '…a process to produce more, better quality homes in less time.'	+	In November 2005, again in the midst of a housing crisis, The National Audit Office (NAO) published 'Using modern methods of construction to build homes more quickly and efficiently'. It was commissioned by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Housing Corporation, and was intended to identify ways of getting best value when using MMC. It defined MMC as '...a process to produce more, better quality homes in less time.'

	A parallel report published in February 2006 by the Barker 33 Cross-Industry Group, set up to examine why the uptake of MMC was low, suggested that; 'Modern methods of construction are about better products and processes. They aim to improve business efficiency, quality, customer satisfaction, environmental performance, sustainability and the predictability of delivery timescales. Modern methods of construction are, therefore, more broadly based than a particular focus on product. They engage people to seek improvement, through better processes, in the delivery and performance of construction.'		A parallel report published in February 2006 by the Barker 33 Cross-Industry Group, set up to examine why the uptake of MMC was low, suggested that; 'Modern methods of construction are about better products and processes. They aim to improve business efficiency, quality, customer satisfaction, environmental performance, sustainability and the predictability of delivery timescales. Modern methods of construction are, therefore, more broadly based than a particular focus on product. They engage people to seek improvement, through better processes, in the delivery and performance of construction.'
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	* Benefits would be wasted if projects were not properly planned.		* Benefits would be wasted if projects were not properly planned.

−	Generally however it was considered that uptake was poor. Richard Jones, a partner at EC Harris, said, ~~“…for~~ years the industry tried to push modern methods of construction and it never really took off because it required a different approach and at the time the housebuilders didn't need a different approach. They were doing okay the way things were.”	+	Generally however it was considered that uptake was poor. Richard Jones, a partner at EC Harris, said, "...for years the industry tried to push modern methods of construction and it never really took off because it required a different approach and at the time the housebuilders didn't need a different approach. They were doing okay the way things were."

	The Barker 33 Group identified a number of barriers to uptake, including; approval delays, regulatory complexity and change, inadequate certification and the training needs of site and professional staff. Dr Ashley Lane, chair of the Barker 33 Group said: "The issue is not about the product. It's about skills: logistics and planning and project management, training labour, education."		The Barker 33 Group identified a number of barriers to uptake, including; approval delays, regulatory complexity and change, inadequate certification and the training needs of site and professional staff. Dr Ashley Lane, chair of the Barker 33 Group said: "The issue is not about the product. It's about skills: logistics and planning and project management, training labour, education."

−	However, a study by the NHBC foundation, published in June 2016 found that 98% of the organisations had used or considered the use of an MMC approach on at least one of their developments in the previous three years. More than 75% cited a faster build programme and more than 50% suggested there was improved build quality. (Ref. Modern methods of construction: views from the industry (NF70).) But the majority of organisations considered themselves 'late adopters' or 'followers' of the volumetric construction, pod and panelised forms of MMC, not 'market leaders'	+	However, a study by the NHBC foundation, published in June 2016 found that 98% of the organisations had used or considered the use of an MMC approach on at least one of their developments in the previous three years. More than 75% cited a faster build programme and more than 50% suggested there was improved build quality. (Ref. Modern methods of construction: views from the industry (NF70).) But the majority of organisations considered themselves 'late adopters' or 'followers' of the volumetric construction, pod and panelised forms of MMC, not 'market leaders'.

−	Neil Smith, Head of Research and Innovation at NHBC said: ~~“This~~ report shows the high hopes invested in MMC, as a means of delivering transformational change to the house-building industry, have not yet been realised on the scale anticipated by its champions. It also illustrates that although cautious about over- commitment, the industry is nevertheless embracing MMC in many guises, and stands ready to explore new options and innovations.”	+	Neil Smith, Head of Research and Innovation at NHBC said: "This report shows the high hopes invested in MMC, as a means of delivering transformational change to the house-building industry, have not yet been realised on the scale anticipated by its champions. It also illustrates that although cautious about over-commitment, the industry is nevertheless embracing MMC in many guises, and stands ready to explore new options and innovations."

	= Recent events =		= Recent events =

−	In February 2017, The National House Building Council (NHBC) launched an ~~[http://www.nhbc.co.uk/builders/productsandservices/TechZone/MMCHub/~~ online MMC hub] to help inform house-builders about modern methods of construction. Standards manager Paul Cribbens said; ~~“We~~ hope that the new hub will act as the leading resource for manufacturers wanting to apply for a review, with details of the building systems currently accepted together with the very latest research.”	+	In February 2017, The National House Building Council (NHBC) launched an online MMC hub to help inform house-builders about modern methods of construction. Standards manager Paul Cribbens said; "We hope that the new hub will act as the leading resource for manufacturers wanting to apply for a review, with details of the building systems currently accepted together with the very latest research."

	The Autumn Budget 2017 gave a big boost to offsite construction methods, suggesting that modern methods of construction would be favoured for public infrastructure schemes from 2019.		The Autumn Budget 2017 gave a big boost to offsite construction methods, suggesting that modern methods of construction would be favoured for public infrastructure schemes from 2019.
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	* Transforming Infrastructure Performance.		* Transforming Infrastructure Performance.

−	The third annual survey of the UK housebuilding industry, published by Lloyds Bank on 26 January 2018 revealed that 61% of housebuilders were investing in site-based modern methods of construction. (Ref. [http://resources.lloydsbank.com/insight/housebuilding-report/ ~~http://resources.lloydsbank.com/insight/housebuilding-report/~~])	+	The third annual survey of the UK housebuilding industry, published by Lloyds Bank on 26 January 2018 revealed that 61% of housebuilders were investing in site-based modern methods of construction. (Ref. [http://resources.lloydsbank.com/insight/housebuilding-report/ Lloyds Bank Housebuilding Report])

	In November 2019, Mark Farmer was announced as the government's MMC Champion.		In November 2019, Mark Farmer was announced as the government's MMC Champion.
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	= Criticism =		= Criticism =

−	On 26 April 2018, in evidence submitted to The House of Lords Science & Technology Committee enquiry into offsite manufacturing, the Building Alliance suggested that the materials and systems adopted by modern methods of construction are almost exclusively imported and this will; ~~“…undermine~~ investment in British Manufactured masonry products that are preferred by consumers, cost some 15% less, are non-combustible and flexible and are built to last 150 years.”	+	On 26 April 2018, in evidence submitted to The House of Lords Science & Technology Committee enquiry into offsite manufacturing, the Building Alliance suggested that the materials and systems adopted by modern methods of construction are almost exclusively imported and this will; "...undermine investment in British Manufactured masonry products that are preferred by consumers, cost some 15% less, are non-combustible and flexible and are built to last 150 years."

−	They went on to suggest that; ~~“We~~ are currently witnessing government sponsored market interference on an unprecedented scale. That is supported by significant tax ~~payer’s~~ subsidies and Homes England funding is now being limited to projects that feature modular or off-site construction. This practice is anti-competitive and unfair to the British masonry industry." (Ref. [http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/science-and-technology-committee-lords/offsite-manufacture-for-construction/written/82010.html ~~http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/science-and-technology-committee-lords/offsite-manufacture-for-construction/~~written~~/82010.html~~])	+	They went on to suggest that; "We are currently witnessing government sponsored market interference on an unprecedented scale. That is supported by significant tax payer's subsidies and Homes England funding is now being limited to projects that feature modular or off-site construction. This practice is anti-competitive and unfair to the British masonry industry." (Ref. [http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/science-and-technology-committee-lords/offsite-manufacture-for-construction/written/82010.html House of Lords written evidence])

−	Other criticisms relate to the difficulty of defining the precise meaning of 'modern methods of construction'. Of particular concern is the over-hyped do-or-die nature of the supporting rhetoric. There is arguably nothing especially 'modern' about a narrative which proposes simplistic technical fixes for the supposed shortcomings of the construction sector. From this perspective, narratives such as 'Modernise or Die~~"~~ can be interpreted as part of the problem whereby ill-defined notions of innovation are consistently prioritised over regulation. (Ref: [https://www.buildingsandcities.org/insights/commentaries/modern-methods-of-construction.html ~~https://www~~.~~buildingsandcities.org/insights/commentaries/modern-methods~~-of-~~construction~~.~~html])~~.	+	Other criticisms relate to the difficulty of defining the precise meaning of 'modern methods of construction'. Of particular concern is the over-hyped do-or-die nature of the supporting rhetoric. There is arguably nothing especially 'modern' about a narrative which proposes simplistic technical fixes for the supposed shortcomings of the construction sector. From this perspective, narratives such as 'Modernise or Die' can be interpreted as part of the problem whereby ill-defined notions of innovation are consistently prioritised over regulation. (Ref: [https://www.buildingsandcities.org/insights/commentaries/modern-methods-of-construction.html Buildings & Cities commentary])
		+
		+	More recently, the sector has seen a mixed picture. Off-site construction's share of new-build projects rose from around 7% in 2017 to around 16% in 2023, and MMC has continued to see successes in housebuilding outside the UK and in non-residential UK buildings. However, the sector has also seen real setbacks, including the closure of some modular factories and housebuilders going into administration, most notably volumetric housebuilder ilke Homes in 2023. A House of Lords Built Environment Committee inquiry subsequently examined issues with the government's approach to MMC. Continuing drivers for adoption include labour shortages, the requirements of the Building Safety Act 2022, and environmental performance goals.

	{{:CIOB_CTA_setup\|Additive manufacturing}}		{{:CIOB_CTA_setup\|Additive manufacturing}}
		+
		+	.

	= Related articles on Designing Buildings =		= Related articles on Designing Buildings =
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	* Advanced construction technology.		* Advanced construction technology.
	* Advanced manufacturing.		* Advanced manufacturing.
−	* BSRIA launches Offsite Construction for Building Services topic guide.
	* Categories of mmc.		* Categories of mmc.
	* Champion for Modern Methods of Construction.		* Champion for Modern Methods of Construction.
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	* Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA).		* Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA).
	* Flying factory.		* Flying factory.
−	* Government plans to put UK at front of global innovation race.
−	* Homes England Modern Methods of Construction research finalised.
	* In-situ.		* In-situ.
	* Industrial Strategy.		* Industrial Strategy.
−	* Innovation in construction projects.
	* Kit house.		* Kit house.
−	* Manufacturing Technology Centre.
	* Modern building.		* Modern building.
	* Modular buildings.		* Modular buildings.
−	* Modular classrooms: The Friars Primary School extension.
−	* Off site materials.
	* Off-site manufacturing.		* Off-site manufacturing.
	* Off-site construction.		* Off-site construction.
−	* Off site, on track.
−	* Off-site prefabrication of buildings: A guide to connection choices.
	* On site.		* On site.
	* Platform approach.		* Platform approach.
−	* Plug and play skyscrapers.
	* Precast.		* Precast.
−	* Precast flat panel system.	+	* Prefabrication.
−	* Prefabrication	+
	* Pre-manufactured value.		* Pre-manufactured value.
−	* Standardising structural elements: A platform for construction innovation.
−	* The overlooked secret of off-site fabrication.
−	* The Value Toolkit.
	* Transforming Infrastructure Performance.		* Transforming Infrastructure Performance.
−	* Twickenham Studio - London's world-renowned film studio transformed.

	[[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:DCN_Research,_Development_and_Innovation]] [[Category:Regulations]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]]		[[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:DCN_Research,_Development_and_Innovation]] [[Category:Regulations]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]]

Designing Buildings at 08:51, 27 November 2024

2024-11-27T08:51:50Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:51, 27 November 2024
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	* Advanced manufacturing.		* Advanced manufacturing.
	* BSRIA launches Offsite Construction for Building Services topic guide.		* BSRIA launches Offsite Construction for Building Services topic guide.
		+	* Categories of mmc.
	* Champion for Modern Methods of Construction.		* Champion for Modern Methods of Construction.
	* Construction industrialisation.		* Construction industrialisation.
−	* Construction innovation.
−	* Construction Innovation Hub.
−	* Construction sector deal.
	* Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA).		* Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA).
	* Flying factory.		* Flying factory.

Designing Buildings at 06:15, 26 August 2022

2022-08-26T06:15:02Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:15, 26 August 2022
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	* Modular classrooms: The Friars Primary School extension.		* Modular classrooms: The Friars Primary School extension.
	* Off site materials.		* Off site materials.
−	* ~~Offsite~~ manufacturing.	+	* Off-site manufacturing.
	* Off-site construction.		* Off-site construction.
	* Off site, on track.		* Off site, on track.

Editor: Reverted edits by 194.83.60.250 (talk) to last revision by Editor

2022-05-10T09:54:48Z

Reverted edits by 194.83.60.250 (talk) to last revision by Editor

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:54, 10 May 2022
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−	~~TOM RADFORD~~	+	[[File:Modular-offsite290.jpg\|link=File:Modular-offsite290.jpg]]
		+
		+	= Introduction =

	Since the Second World War, and the desperate need to deliver new housing quickly, modern methods of construction (MMC, or 'smart construction') has been promoted as a way of working more effectively to achieve more without using more. It centres around the use of off-site construction techniques that can benefit from factory conditions and mass production techniques.		Since the Second World War, and the desperate need to deliver new housing quickly, modern methods of construction (MMC, or 'smart construction') has been promoted as a way of working more effectively to achieve more without using more. It centres around the use of off-site construction techniques that can benefit from factory conditions and mass production techniques.

194.83.60.250 at 09:43, 10 May 2022

2022-05-10T09:43:27Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:43, 10 May 2022
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−	~~[[File:Modular-offsite290.jpg\|link=File:Modular-offsite290.jpg]]~~	+	TOM RADFORD
−		+
−	~~= Introduction =~~	+

	Since the Second World War, and the desperate need to deliver new housing quickly, modern methods of construction (MMC, or 'smart construction') has been promoted as a way of working more effectively to achieve more without using more. It centres around the use of off-site construction techniques that can benefit from factory conditions and mass production techniques.		Since the Second World War, and the desperate need to deliver new housing quickly, modern methods of construction (MMC, or 'smart construction') has been promoted as a way of working more effectively to achieve more without using more. It centres around the use of off-site construction techniques that can benefit from factory conditions and mass production techniques.

Editor at 11:12, 15 December 2021

2021-12-15T11:12:26Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:12, 15 December 2021
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	{{:CIOB_CTA_setup\|Additive manufacturing}}		{{:CIOB_CTA_setup\|Additive manufacturing}}

−	= Related articles on Designing Buildings ~~Wiki~~ =	+	= Related articles on Designing Buildings =

	* Advanced construction technology.		* Advanced construction technology.
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	* The Value Toolkit.		* The Value Toolkit.
	* Transforming Infrastructure Performance.		* Transforming Infrastructure Performance.
		+	* Twickenham Studio - London's world-renowned film studio transformed.

	[[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:DCN_Research,_Development_and_Innovation]] [[Category:Regulations]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]]		[[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:DCN_Research,_Development_and_Innovation]] [[Category:Regulations]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]]

Editor at 17:08, 21 September 2021

2021-09-21T17:08:54Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:08, 21 September 2021
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	* Platform approach.		* Platform approach.
	* Plug and play skyscrapers.		* Plug and play skyscrapers.
		+	* Precast.
	* Precast flat panel system.		* Precast flat panel system.
	* Prefabrication		* Prefabrication

Editor at 10:31, 26 July 2021

2021-07-26T10:31:56Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:31, 26 July 2021
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	* Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA).		* Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA).
	* Flying factory.		* Flying factory.
		+	* Government plans to put UK at front of global innovation race.
	* Homes England Modern Methods of Construction research finalised.		* Homes England Modern Methods of Construction research finalised.
	* In-situ.		* In-situ.

Editor at 11:52, 25 May 2021

2021-05-25T11:52:44Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:52, 25 May 2021
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	* Prefabrication		* Prefabrication
	* Pre-manufactured value.		* Pre-manufactured value.
		+	* Standardising structural elements: A platform for construction innovation.
	* The overlooked secret of off-site fabrication.		* The overlooked secret of off-site fabrication.
	* The Value Toolkit.		* The Value Toolkit.

Editor at 17:13, 8 March 2021

2021-03-08T17:13:07Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:13, 8 March 2021
Line 78:		Line 78:
	* Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA).		* Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA).
	* Flying factory.		* Flying factory.
		+	* Homes England Modern Methods of Construction research finalised.
	* In-situ.		* In-situ.
	* Industrial Strategy.		* Industrial Strategy.