Hybrid building system
The BIM Overlay to the RIBA Outline Plan of Work, published by the RIBA in 2012 suggested that a hybrid building system is: ‘A combination of volumetric construction and flat pack systems, where the high-value areas (kitchen and bathroom) are typically formed from volumetric units and the rest of the structure formed from some form of framing system (also known as semi-volumetric).’
Where flat pack refers to: ‘Prefabricated elements or systems that are transported to site as 2D elements, rather than as modular units. This approach is used where volumetric construction options are not feasible due to transportation logistics.’
And volumetric construction: ‘..uses large-scale modular units to construct a building. A building might be formed from one module or from many. Often, units such as bathrooms, plant rooms, lift shafts or services risers are installed within buildings, but do not, of themselves, form the building structure or fabric.’
Faster, Smarter, More Efficient: Building Skills for Offsite Construction, published by CITB in April 2017, defines hybrid building systems as: ‘Using both volumetric and panelised systems together.’
See also: Composite construction.
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