Wood and affordable housing - Revision history

Designing Buildings at 07:17, 8 February 2021

2021-02-08T07:17:34Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:17, 8 February 2021
Line 37:		Line 37:
	--[[User:Wood_for_Good\|Wood for Good]]		--[[User:Wood_for_Good\|Wood for Good]]

−	~~= Find out more =~~	+	= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =
−		+
−	=== Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki ===	+

	* Affordable housing.		* Affordable housing.
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	* Wood, health and wellbeing.		* Wood, health and wellbeing.

−	=== External references ===	+	= External references =

	Sources: Structural Timber Association, Karakusevic-Carson Architects, Construction Industry Council, Swan Housing, Liverpool Mutual Homes, Accord Housing, Inside Housing, Building Society Association		Sources: Structural Timber Association, Karakusevic-Carson Architects, Construction Industry Council, Swan Housing, Liverpool Mutual Homes, Accord Housing, Inside Housing, Building Society Association

−	[[Category:~~Research_/_Innovation~~]] [[Category:DCN_Research,_Development_and_Innovation]]	+	[[Category:DCN_Commentary]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:DCN_Product_Knowledge]] [[Category:DCN_Research,_Development_and_Innovation]] [[Category:Research_/_Innovation]]

Designing Buildings at 08:18, 11 July 2017

2017-07-11T08:18:55Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:18, 11 July 2017
Line 46:		Line 46:
	* Timber.		* Timber.
	* Wood and hybrid structures.		* Wood and hybrid structures.
		+	* Wood, health and wellbeing.

	=== External references ===		=== External references ===
Line 51:		Line 52:
	Sources: Structural Timber Association, Karakusevic-Carson Architects, Construction Industry Council, Swan Housing, Liverpool Mutual Homes, Accord Housing, Inside Housing, Building Society Association		Sources: Structural Timber Association, Karakusevic-Carson Architects, Construction Industry Council, Swan Housing, Liverpool Mutual Homes, Accord Housing, Inside Housing, Building Society Association

−	[[Category:Research_/_Innovation]]	+	[[Category:Research_/_Innovation]] [[Category:DCN_Research,_Development_and_Innovation]]

Designing Buildings at 18:29, 10 July 2017

2017-07-10T18:29:26Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:29, 10 July 2017
Line 31:		Line 31:
	[https://accordgroup.org.uk/ Accord Group] housing association in the West Midlands is already well-practiced at offsite construction. It has produced timber-framed factory built homes since 2011 through its Local Homes division. It currently produces around 200 homes a year with plans to expand significantly. The housing association recently hired a manufacturing expert from Jaguar Land Rover to run the plant, confirming that the blend of timber engineering and manufacturing skill can support the housing expertise in local communities.		[https://accordgroup.org.uk/ Accord Group] housing association in the West Midlands is already well-practiced at offsite construction. It has produced timber-framed factory built homes since 2011 through its Local Homes division. It currently produces around 200 homes a year with plans to expand significantly. The housing association recently hired a manufacturing expert from Jaguar Land Rover to run the plant, confirming that the blend of timber engineering and manufacturing skill can support the housing expertise in local communities.

−	[https://www.liverpoolmutualhomes.org/ Liverpool Mutual Homes] is building 33 two and three-bedroom homes at Naylorsfield Drive in Liverpool, using timber prefabricated modules manufactured ~~in factory conditions~~ offsite. The modules, manufactured by Bowsall ~~using a timber frame panel system,~~ are transported to site and then craned into place. Designed by JDA Architects, ~~all~~ the homes provide higher than usual energy efficiency ~~to help cut tenants’ fuel bills~~.	+	[https://www.liverpoolmutualhomes.org/ Liverpool Mutual Homes] is building 33 two and three-bedroom homes at Naylorsfield Drive in Liverpool, using timber prefabricated modules manufactured offsite. The modules, manufactured by Bowsall are transported to site and then craned into place. Designed by JDA Architects, the homes provide higher than usual energy efficiency.

−	[http://www.swan.org.uk/ Swan Housing], a housing association in Essex, has chosen to use CLT systems and offsite construction, building homes which are indistinguishable from ones ~~that are~~ built using more traditional methods. Swan is investing £3m in building ~~its own~~ 18,000 sq ft factory in Basildon~~. It’s designed~~ to provide new homes for the £200m Craylands estate regeneration programme. Their housing modules will be pre-fitted with doors and windows~~, and once on site the homes are clad and roofed~~. John Synnuck, Swan's chief executive, says: "At Swan we understand the desperate need for quality new homes. We believe that offsite construction methods will enable us to deliver these much-needed homes quickly, designed to a high specification and with reduced impact on both residents and the environment."	+	[http://www.swan.org.uk/ Swan Housing], a housing association in Essex, has chosen to use CLT systems and offsite construction, building homes which are indistinguishable from ones built using more traditional methods. Swan is investing £3m in building an 18,000 sq ft factory in Basildon to provide new homes for the £200m Craylands estate regeneration programme. Their housing modules will be pre-fitted with doors and windows. John Synnuck, Swan's chief executive, says: "At Swan we understand the desperate need for quality new homes. We believe that offsite construction methods will enable us to deliver these much-needed homes quickly, designed to a high specification and with reduced impact on both residents and the environment."

	--[[User:Wood_for_Good\|Wood for Good]]		--[[User:Wood_for_Good\|Wood for Good]]
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	* Affordable housing.		* Affordable housing.
−	* Chain of custody.
−	* Confederation of Timber Industries.
−	* European Union Timber Regulation.
−	* Forests.
−	* Forest ownership.
−	* Forest Stewardship Council.
−	* Hardwood.
	* Prefabrication.		* Prefabrication.
−	* Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification.
	* Sustainably procuring tropical hardwood.		* Sustainably procuring tropical hardwood.
	* Timber.		* Timber.

Designing Buildings at 18:27, 10 July 2017

2017-07-10T18:27:23Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:27, 10 July 2017
Line 1:		Line 1:
−	There has been a lot of buzz about so-called prefabs recently, with various reports calling for enhanced use of offsite construction to speed up housing delivery. Key advantages of timber offsite construction include proven performance, reduced costs both on associations’ and residents’ sides, and faster asset value. With financial and political support for accelerated construction, this is a route worth investigating for development teams, asset and finance managers alike.	+	= Introduction =

−	~~Here are 10 facts why timber~~ offsite construction ~~might provide~~ the ~~right solution for affordable~~ housing.	+	There has been renewed interest in 'prefabs' recently, with reports calling for enhanced use of offsite construction to speed up the delivery of housing. Some of the advantages of timber offsite construction include; proven performance, reduced costs both on associations’ and residents’ sides, and faster asset value. With financial and political support for accelerated construction, this is a route worth investigating by development teams, asset and finance managers.

−	~~=== Proven performance and new possibilities ===~~	+	Below are 10 reasons timber offsite construction might provide the right solution for affordable housing.

−	* Offsite construction is ~~a proven feature of millions of affordable new homes in the UK – it’s~~ quick to build without compromising quality. Timber construction accounts for more than 25% of all dwellings in the UK.	+	= Proven performance and new possibilities =
−	* Timber is a natural, renewable, and sustainable building material. Engineered timber also embodies all these environmental benefits. ~~Just one of the reasons why the~~ use of cross-laminated timber (CLT) as a structural system is one of the fastest-growing construction methods in many parts of Europe and Asia.	+
		+	* Offsite construction is quick to build without compromising quality. Timber construction accounts for more than 25% of all dwellings in the UK.
		+	* Timber is a natural, renewable, and sustainable building material. Engineered timber also embodies all these environmental benefits. The use of cross-laminated timber (CLT) as a structural system is one of the fastest-growing construction methods in many parts of Europe and Asia.
	* Advances in timber technology have resulted in its use for multi-storey buildings such as Bridport House, a social housing scheme in Hackney, assembled in just 10 weeks.		* Advances in timber technology have resulted in its use for multi-storey buildings such as Bridport House, a social housing scheme in Hackney, assembled in just 10 weeks.

−	=== Reducing costs and creating faster asset value ===	+	= Reducing costs and creating faster asset value =

−	* While broadly cost comparative ~~with~~ traditional building methods, the build times for timber construction ~~are up to~~ 30% faster ~~than for other materials~~. ~~Such fast construction~~ reduces time onsite and ~~the~~ disruption ~~this causes~~ to a local area, speeds up practical completion and handover, and enables an earlier rental income stream.	+	* While broadly cost comparative to traditional building methods, the build times for timber construction can be 30% faster. This reduces time onsite and disruption to the local area, speeds up practical completion and handover, and enables an earlier rental income stream.
−	* Research into offsite construction shows that costs can be more carefully controlled, waste is reduced by up to 90% and fewer defects ~~helps to~~ reduce snagging costs by up to 80%.	+	* Research into offsite construction shows that costs can be more carefully controlled, waste is reduced by up to 90% and fewer defects help reduce snagging costs by up to 80%.
	* Offsite construction is also safer, reducing the risk of onsite worker injury by up to 80%.		* Offsite construction is also safer, reducing the risk of onsite worker injury by up to 80%.

−	=== Reducing fuel poverty ===	+	= Reducing fuel poverty =

−	* Timber offsite construction is one of the most energy efficient methods of building homes, using a material with negative carbon emissions and low embodied carbon~~. Timber products in the built environment lead the way in terms of lifecycle assessment and Environmental Product Declarations. Building with timber can reduce energy bills by 90%~~.	+	* Timber offsite construction is one of the most energy efficient methods of building homes, using a material with negative carbon emissions and low embodied carbon.
−	* Timber offsite construction enables significant thermal efficiency, with operational energy costs kept to a minimum. Offsite designers can also better incorporate renewable energy solutions such as ground-source heat pumps and heat recovery ventilation from the start, which can lead to ~~further dramatic~~ reductions in fuel bills ~~to housing associations’ tenants~~.	+	* Timber offsite construction enables significant thermal efficiency, with operational energy costs kept to a minimum. Offsite designers can also better incorporate renewable energy solutions such as ground-source heat pumps and heat recovery ventilation from the start, which can lead to reductions in fuel bills.

−	=== Financial and political support for accelerated construction ===	+	= Financial and political support for accelerated construction =

−	* Mortgage funding and new build warranties are readily provided to timber offsite construction housing developments. BOPAS (Build Offsite Property Assurance Scheme) provides assurance to the lending community on homes constructed using innovative methods ~~that they will deliver consistent performance of~~ a determined durability of at least 60 years.	+	* Mortgage funding and new build warranties are readily provided to timber offsite construction housing developments. BOPAS (Build Offsite Property Assurance Scheme) provides assurance to the lending community on homes constructed using innovative methods, delivered with a determined durability of at least 60 years.
	* The Government is committed to supporting accelerated construction: "Offsite construction provides a huge opportunity to increase housing supply and we want to see more innovation like this across the housebuilding sector,” says Gavin Barwell, housing minister.		* The Government is committed to supporting accelerated construction: "Offsite construction provides a huge opportunity to increase housing supply and we want to see more innovation like this across the housebuilding sector,” says Gavin Barwell, housing minister.

−	=== Housing associations which have chosen offsite solutions ===	+	= Housing associations which have chosen offsite solutions =

−	[https://accordgroup.org.uk/ Accord Group] housing association in the West Midlands is already well practiced at offsite construction ~~– it~~ has produced timber-framed factory built homes since 2011 through its Local Homes division. It currently produces ~~about~~ 200 homes a year with plans to expand significantly. The housing association recently hired a manufacturing expert from Jaguar Land Rover to run the plant – confirming that ~~it's~~ the blend of ~~this~~ timber engineering and manufacturing skill ~~that~~ can ~~best~~ support the housing expertise in local communities.	+	[https://accordgroup.org.uk/ Accord Group] housing association in the West Midlands is already well-practiced at offsite construction. It has produced timber-framed factory built homes since 2011 through its Local Homes division. It currently produces around 200 homes a year with plans to expand significantly. The housing association recently hired a manufacturing expert from Jaguar Land Rover to run the plant, confirming that the blend of timber engineering and manufacturing skill can support the housing expertise in local communities.

	[https://www.liverpoolmutualhomes.org/ Liverpool Mutual Homes] is building 33 two and three-bedroom homes at Naylorsfield Drive in Liverpool, using timber prefabricated modules manufactured in factory conditions offsite. The modules, manufactured by Bowsall using a timber frame panel system, are transported to site and then craned into place. Designed by JDA Architects, all the homes provide higher than usual energy efficiency to help cut tenants’ fuel bills.		[https://www.liverpoolmutualhomes.org/ Liverpool Mutual Homes] is building 33 two and three-bedroom homes at Naylorsfield Drive in Liverpool, using timber prefabricated modules manufactured in factory conditions offsite. The modules, manufactured by Bowsall using a timber frame panel system, are transported to site and then craned into place. Designed by JDA Architects, all the homes provide higher than usual energy efficiency to help cut tenants’ fuel bills.
Line 47:		Line 49:
	* Forest Stewardship Council.		* Forest Stewardship Council.
	* Hardwood.		* Hardwood.
		+	* Prefabrication.
	* Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification.		* Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification.
	* Sustainably procuring tropical hardwood.		* Sustainably procuring tropical hardwood.

Designing Buildings at 18:17, 10 July 2017

2017-07-10T18:17:41Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:17, 10 July 2017
Line 50:		Line 50:
	* Sustainably procuring tropical hardwood.		* Sustainably procuring tropical hardwood.
	* Timber.		* Timber.
−	* Wood and affordable housing.
	* Wood and hybrid structures.		* Wood and hybrid structures.

Designing Buildings at 18:07, 10 July 2017

2017-07-10T18:07:00Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:07, 10 July 2017
Line 1:		Line 1:
−	~~[https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/User:Wood_for_Good Wood for Good] shares 10 reasons why timber offsite construction could be the answer to affordable housing.~~
−
	There has been a lot of buzz about so-called prefabs recently, with various reports calling for enhanced use of offsite construction to speed up housing delivery. Key advantages of timber offsite construction include proven performance, reduced costs both on associations’ and residents’ sides, and faster asset value. With financial and political support for accelerated construction, this is a route worth investigating for development teams, asset and finance managers alike.		There has been a lot of buzz about so-called prefabs recently, with various reports calling for enhanced use of offsite construction to speed up housing delivery. Key advantages of timber offsite construction include proven performance, reduced costs both on associations’ and residents’ sides, and faster asset value. With financial and political support for accelerated construction, this is a route worth investigating for development teams, asset and finance managers alike.

Line 10:		Line 8:
	* Timber is a natural, renewable, and sustainable building material. Engineered timber also embodies all these environmental benefits. Just one of the reasons why the use of cross-laminated timber (CLT) as a structural system is one of the fastest-growing construction methods in many parts of Europe and Asia.		* Timber is a natural, renewable, and sustainable building material. Engineered timber also embodies all these environmental benefits. Just one of the reasons why the use of cross-laminated timber (CLT) as a structural system is one of the fastest-growing construction methods in many parts of Europe and Asia.
	* Advances in timber technology have resulted in its use for multi-storey buildings such as Bridport House, a social housing scheme in Hackney, assembled in just 10 weeks.		* Advances in timber technology have resulted in its use for multi-storey buildings such as Bridport House, a social housing scheme in Hackney, assembled in just 10 weeks.
−
−

	=== Reducing costs and creating faster asset value ===		=== Reducing costs and creating faster asset value ===
Line 18:		Line 14:
	* Research into offsite construction shows that costs can be more carefully controlled, waste is reduced by up to 90% and fewer defects helps to reduce snagging costs by up to 80%.		* Research into offsite construction shows that costs can be more carefully controlled, waste is reduced by up to 90% and fewer defects helps to reduce snagging costs by up to 80%.
	* Offsite construction is also safer, reducing the risk of onsite worker injury by up to 80%.		* Offsite construction is also safer, reducing the risk of onsite worker injury by up to 80%.
−
−

	=== Reducing fuel poverty ===		=== Reducing fuel poverty ===
Line 25:		Line 19:
	* Timber offsite construction is one of the most energy efficient methods of building homes, using a material with negative carbon emissions and low embodied carbon. Timber products in the built environment lead the way in terms of lifecycle assessment and Environmental Product Declarations. Building with timber can reduce energy bills by 90%.		* Timber offsite construction is one of the most energy efficient methods of building homes, using a material with negative carbon emissions and low embodied carbon. Timber products in the built environment lead the way in terms of lifecycle assessment and Environmental Product Declarations. Building with timber can reduce energy bills by 90%.
	* Timber offsite construction enables significant thermal efficiency, with operational energy costs kept to a minimum. Offsite designers can also better incorporate renewable energy solutions such as ground-source heat pumps and heat recovery ventilation from the start, which can lead to further dramatic reductions in fuel bills to housing associations’ tenants.		* Timber offsite construction enables significant thermal efficiency, with operational energy costs kept to a minimum. Offsite designers can also better incorporate renewable energy solutions such as ground-source heat pumps and heat recovery ventilation from the start, which can lead to further dramatic reductions in fuel bills to housing associations’ tenants.
−
−

	=== Financial and political support for accelerated construction ===		=== Financial and political support for accelerated construction ===
Line 32:		Line 24:
	* Mortgage funding and new build warranties are readily provided to timber offsite construction housing developments. BOPAS (Build Offsite Property Assurance Scheme) provides assurance to the lending community on homes constructed using innovative methods that they will deliver consistent performance of a determined durability of at least 60 years.		* Mortgage funding and new build warranties are readily provided to timber offsite construction housing developments. BOPAS (Build Offsite Property Assurance Scheme) provides assurance to the lending community on homes constructed using innovative methods that they will deliver consistent performance of a determined durability of at least 60 years.
	* The Government is committed to supporting accelerated construction: "Offsite construction provides a huge opportunity to increase housing supply and we want to see more innovation like this across the housebuilding sector,” says Gavin Barwell, housing minister.		* The Government is committed to supporting accelerated construction: "Offsite construction provides a huge opportunity to increase housing supply and we want to see more innovation like this across the housebuilding sector,” says Gavin Barwell, housing minister.
−
−

	=== Housing associations which have chosen offsite solutions ===		=== Housing associations which have chosen offsite solutions ===
Line 43:		Line 33:
	[http://www.swan.org.uk/ Swan Housing], a housing association in Essex, has chosen to use CLT systems and offsite construction, building homes which are indistinguishable from ones that are built using more traditional methods. Swan is investing £3m in building its own 18,000 sq ft factory in Basildon. It’s designed to provide new homes for the £200m Craylands estate regeneration programme. Their housing modules will be pre-fitted with doors and windows, and once on site the homes are clad and roofed. John Synnuck, Swan's chief executive, says: "At Swan we understand the desperate need for quality new homes. We believe that offsite construction methods will enable us to deliver these much-needed homes quickly, designed to a high specification and with reduced impact on both residents and the environment."		[http://www.swan.org.uk/ Swan Housing], a housing association in Essex, has chosen to use CLT systems and offsite construction, building homes which are indistinguishable from ones that are built using more traditional methods. Swan is investing £3m in building its own 18,000 sq ft factory in Basildon. It’s designed to provide new homes for the £200m Craylands estate regeneration programme. Their housing modules will be pre-fitted with doors and windows, and once on site the homes are clad and roofed. John Synnuck, Swan's chief executive, says: "At Swan we understand the desperate need for quality new homes. We believe that offsite construction methods will enable us to deliver these much-needed homes quickly, designed to a high specification and with reduced impact on both residents and the environment."

		+	--[[User:Wood_for_Good\|Wood for Good]]
		+
		+	= Find out more =
		+
		+	=== Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki ===

		+	* Affordable housing.
		+	* Chain of custody.
		+	* Confederation of Timber Industries.
		+	* European Union Timber Regulation.
		+	* Forests.
		+	* Forest ownership.
		+	* Forest Stewardship Council.
		+	* Hardwood.
		+	* Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification.
		+	* Sustainably procuring tropical hardwood.
		+	* Timber.
		+	* Wood and affordable housing.
		+	* Wood and hybrid structures.

−	~~Published by [https://woodforgood.com/ Wood for Good]~~	+	=== External references ===

	Sources: Structural Timber Association, Karakusevic-Carson Architects, Construction Industry Council, Swan Housing, Liverpool Mutual Homes, Accord Housing, Inside Housing, Building Society Association		Sources: Structural Timber Association, Karakusevic-Carson Architects, Construction Industry Council, Swan Housing, Liverpool Mutual Homes, Accord Housing, Inside Housing, Building Society Association

	[[Category:Research_/_Innovation]]		[[Category:Research_/_Innovation]]

Wood for Good at 11:45, 10 July 2017

2017-07-10T11:45:31Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:45, 10 July 2017
Line 46:		Line 46:

	Published by [https://woodforgood.com/ Wood for Good]		Published by [https://woodforgood.com/ Wood for Good]
		+
		+	Sources: Structural Timber Association, Karakusevic-Carson Architects, Construction Industry Council, Swan Housing, Liverpool Mutual Homes, Accord Housing, Inside Housing, Building Society Association

	[[Category:Research_/_Innovation]]		[[Category:Research_/_Innovation]]

Wood for Good at 11:20, 10 July 2017

2017-07-10T11:20:22Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:20, 10 July 2017
Line 6:		Line 6:

	=== Proven performance and new possibilities ===		=== Proven performance and new possibilities ===
−
−

	* Offsite construction is a proven feature of millions of affordable new homes in the UK – it’s quick to build without compromising quality. Timber construction accounts for more than 25% of all dwellings in the UK.		* Offsite construction is a proven feature of millions of affordable new homes in the UK – it’s quick to build without compromising quality. Timber construction accounts for more than 25% of all dwellings in the UK.
Line 16:		Line 14:

	=== Reducing costs and creating faster asset value ===		=== Reducing costs and creating faster asset value ===
−
−

	* While broadly cost comparative with traditional building methods, the build times for timber construction are up to 30% faster than for other materials. Such fast construction reduces time onsite and the disruption this causes to a local area, speeds up practical completion and handover, and enables an earlier rental income stream.		* While broadly cost comparative with traditional building methods, the build times for timber construction are up to 30% faster than for other materials. Such fast construction reduces time onsite and the disruption this causes to a local area, speeds up practical completion and handover, and enables an earlier rental income stream.
Line 26:		Line 22:

	=== Reducing fuel poverty ===		=== Reducing fuel poverty ===
−
−

	* Timber offsite construction is one of the most energy efficient methods of building homes, using a material with negative carbon emissions and low embodied carbon. Timber products in the built environment lead the way in terms of lifecycle assessment and Environmental Product Declarations. Building with timber can reduce energy bills by 90%.		* Timber offsite construction is one of the most energy efficient methods of building homes, using a material with negative carbon emissions and low embodied carbon. Timber products in the built environment lead the way in terms of lifecycle assessment and Environmental Product Declarations. Building with timber can reduce energy bills by 90%.
Line 35:		Line 29:

	=== Financial and political support for accelerated construction ===		=== Financial and political support for accelerated construction ===
−
−

	* Mortgage funding and new build warranties are readily provided to timber offsite construction housing developments. BOPAS (Build Offsite Property Assurance Scheme) provides assurance to the lending community on homes constructed using innovative methods that they will deliver consistent performance of a determined durability of at least 60 years.		* Mortgage funding and new build warranties are readily provided to timber offsite construction housing developments. BOPAS (Build Offsite Property Assurance Scheme) provides assurance to the lending community on homes constructed using innovative methods that they will deliver consistent performance of a determined durability of at least 60 years.
Line 44:		Line 36:

	=== Housing associations which have chosen offsite solutions ===		=== Housing associations which have chosen offsite solutions ===
−
−

	[https://accordgroup.org.uk/ Accord Group] housing association in the West Midlands is already well practiced at offsite construction – it has produced timber-framed factory built homes since 2011 through its Local Homes division. It currently produces about 200 homes a year with plans to expand significantly. The housing association recently hired a manufacturing expert from Jaguar Land Rover to run the plant – confirming that it's the blend of this timber engineering and manufacturing skill that can best support the housing expertise in local communities.		[https://accordgroup.org.uk/ Accord Group] housing association in the West Midlands is already well practiced at offsite construction – it has produced timber-framed factory built homes since 2011 through its Local Homes division. It currently produces about 200 homes a year with plans to expand significantly. The housing association recently hired a manufacturing expert from Jaguar Land Rover to run the plant – confirming that it's the blend of this timber engineering and manufacturing skill that can best support the housing expertise in local communities.
Line 56:		Line 46:

	Published by [https://woodforgood.com/ Wood for Good]		Published by [https://woodforgood.com/ Wood for Good]
−
−

	[[Category:Research_/_Innovation]]		[[Category:Research_/_Innovation]]

Wood for Good: Created page with "[https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/User:Wood_for_Good Wood for Good] shares 10 reasons why timber offsite construction could be the answer to affordable housing. There h..."

2017-07-10T11:18:59Z

Created page with "[https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/User:Wood_for_Good Wood for Good] shares 10 reasons why timber offsite construction could be the answer to affordable housing. There h..."

New page

[https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/User:Wood_for_Good Wood for Good] shares 10 reasons why timber offsite construction could be the answer to affordable housing.

There has been a lot of buzz about so-called prefabs recently, with various reports calling for enhanced use of offsite construction to speed up housing delivery. Key advantages of timber offsite construction include proven performance, reduced costs both on associations’ and residents’ sides, and faster asset value. With financial and political support for accelerated construction, this is a route worth investigating for development teams, asset and finance managers alike.

Here are 10 facts why timber offsite construction might provide the right solution for affordable housing.

=== Proven performance and new possibilities ===

* Offsite construction is a proven feature of millions of affordable new homes in the UK – it’s quick to build without compromising quality. Timber construction accounts for more than 25% of all dwellings in the UK.
* Timber is a natural, renewable, and sustainable building material. Engineered timber also embodies all these environmental benefits. Just one of the reasons why the use of cross-laminated timber (CLT) as a structural system is one of the fastest-growing construction methods in many parts of Europe and Asia.
* Advances in timber technology have resulted in its use for multi-storey buildings such as Bridport House, a social housing scheme in Hackney, assembled in just 10 weeks.

=== Reducing costs and creating faster asset value ===

* While broadly cost comparative with traditional building methods, the build times for timber construction are up to 30% faster than for other materials. Such fast construction reduces time onsite and the disruption this causes to a local area, speeds up practical completion and handover, and enables an earlier rental income stream.
* Research into offsite construction shows that costs can be more carefully controlled, waste is reduced by up to 90% and fewer defects helps to reduce snagging costs by up to 80%.
* Offsite construction is also safer, reducing the risk of onsite worker injury by up to 80%.

=== Reducing fuel poverty ===

* Timber offsite construction is one of the most energy efficient methods of building homes, using a material with negative carbon emissions and low embodied carbon. Timber products in the built environment lead the way in terms of lifecycle assessment and Environmental Product Declarations. Building with timber can reduce energy bills by 90%.
* Timber offsite construction enables significant thermal efficiency, with operational energy costs kept to a minimum. Offsite designers can also better incorporate renewable energy solutions such as ground-source heat pumps and heat recovery ventilation from the start, which can lead to further dramatic reductions in fuel bills to housing associations’ tenants.

=== Financial and political support for accelerated construction ===

* Mortgage funding and new build warranties are readily provided to timber offsite construction housing developments. BOPAS (Build Offsite Property Assurance Scheme) provides assurance to the lending community on homes constructed using innovative methods that they will deliver consistent performance of a determined durability of at least 60 years.
* The Government is committed to supporting accelerated construction: "Offsite construction provides a huge opportunity to increase housing supply and we want to see more innovation like this across the housebuilding sector,” says Gavin Barwell, housing minister.

=== Housing associations which have chosen offsite solutions ===

[https://accordgroup.org.uk/ Accord Group] housing association in the West Midlands is already well practiced at offsite construction – it has produced timber-framed factory built homes since 2011 through its Local Homes division. It currently produces about 200 homes a year with plans to expand significantly. The housing association recently hired a manufacturing expert from Jaguar Land Rover to run the plant – confirming that it's the blend of this timber engineering and manufacturing skill that can best support the housing expertise in local communities.

[https://www.liverpoolmutualhomes.org/ Liverpool Mutual Homes] is building 33 two and three-bedroom homes at Naylorsfield Drive in Liverpool, using timber prefabricated modules manufactured in factory conditions offsite. The modules, manufactured by Bowsall using a timber frame panel system, are transported to site and then craned into place. Designed by JDA Architects, all the homes provide higher than usual energy efficiency to help cut tenants’ fuel bills.

[http://www.swan.org.uk/ Swan Housing], a housing association in Essex, has chosen to use CLT systems and offsite construction, building homes which are indistinguishable from ones that are built using more traditional methods. Swan is investing £3m in building its own 18,000 sq ft factory in Basildon. It’s designed to provide new homes for the £200m Craylands estate regeneration programme. Their housing modules will be pre-fitted with doors and windows, and once on site the homes are clad and roofed. John Synnuck, Swan's chief executive, says: "At Swan we understand the desperate need for quality new homes. We believe that offsite construction methods will enable us to deliver these much-needed homes quickly, designed to a high specification and with reduced impact on both residents and the environment."

Published by [https://woodforgood.com/ Wood for Good]

[[Category:Research_/_Innovation]]