New Concepts In Modular Housing

New Concepts in Modular Housing Terrapin and Avanti Architects have undertaken a joint venture to develop a number of offsite solutions for the housing market to meet growing demands on quality, environmental performance, low wastage, cost efficiency and ease of delivery. Our collaboration brings together our expertise in designing high quality affordable homes with all the advantages of Modern Methods of Construction.

Our products have been developed to meet the design, procurement and delivery needs of:       

Private Housing Developers Housing Associations Local Authorities Procurement Officers in Government Departments Corporate Investors in Residential Property Housing companies Housing Advisory Authorities

These modular building solutions have been developed with the express intention of optimising transportation, exploiting the structural efficiency prefabricated materials and maximizing the developable potential of land.

Designs have been based around meeting new space standards with unit widths ranging from 3.75m to 6.2m.

The 3.75m wide module has proved to be especially efficient and has therefore been adopted for a range of unit sizes including microflats and 1–4 bedroom units. Larger units are capable of being configured as two storey maisonettes or side by side on a single floor. The variety of options mean that units can be made suitable for a range of homeowners; from single occupiers to families, the elderly and nonambulant. Variations allow living space to be maximised, extensions and outdoor space to be added and amended depending on the occupants’ needs. A number of access typologies are also possible, including single stair core, open access deck, multicore spine solutions plus hybrids which combine some or all of these forms of access. There are choices in how elements such as staircores, landings and balconies can be fully integrated or independent of the overall module arrangement to simplify construction and reduce cost.

Avanti Architects’ house design won the 2008 British Homes Awards ‘Tomorrow’s Lifestyle Home’ competition and is a model for 21st century living. The house is based on a 6.2m width divided into master and servant zones. At the heart of the house an open light well acts as a ‘lung’ distributing air, light and energy into the interior. At the perimeter the relationship between interior and outside is flexible and immediate. The design also offers: Adaptability for successive generations as needs change, including full access for people with disabilities  Spatially varied interior, comfortable to live and work in  Flexiroom – a space which can be adapted to a variety of uses including home office, study or accessible bedroom  Sustainable passive means of saving energy and resources 

This adaptable way of living allows homes to accommodate several generations of a family, splitting or opening up living space to create the ideal formulation for a growing and changing family’s needs. The technical performance of the homes is largely guaranteed by the benefits that offsite construction bring to meeting stringent airtightness targets, detailed resolution of insulation and ventilation needs together with sustainable use of materials with low wastage. Standardisation ensures consistency of quality, reduced cost and speed of delivery without undermining flexibility or choice for the developer or occupier.

Volumetric modular building allows a highly flexible system to accommodating a range of different scenarios. There are designs for microflats to suit first time buyers with restricted budgets, students and the elderly who wish to downsize from their existing homes, a range of modularised 1, 2, 3 and 4 bed apartments that are capable of being coupled in a range of configurations to meet different local settings, and two and three storey house solutions which satisfy new lifestyles and are adaptable to occupiers’ changing circumstances. A variety of scenarios is possible using these modules, ranging from small 10-15 unit developments configured as single apartment blocks or terrace of houses, 50+ unit schemes which combine houses and apartments, through to larger 100+ unit regeneration projects. The system also allows modules to be omitted at higher levels to provide large outdoor terraces for family units.

Terrapin offers a range of different systems for offsite construction. Our light gauge steel frame based system offers major advantages wherever there is a need for high volume replicated units. Using high technology factory production, modules can be built and fully fitted offsite, sealed, then delivered for fast efficient construction, easy connection of services and flexible finishing. Terrapin and Avanti’s Unique Offer includes:     

Variety of systems — post and panel, volumetric or combination thereof Flexibility of service — turnkey through to manufacturer Value added services — design, building control, CDM, BREEAM, planning, project management, site supervision Working with restrictive sites — we can do the difficult projects that no-one else can do! Solution Provider — finance, facilities management

All designs are based on the highest required standards: New space standards as defined by the Mayor of London and HCA; Design & Quality Standards; Minimum Level 4 Code for Sustainable Homes; Lifetime Homes; Building for Life; and HQIs. Our technology is creating more affordable homes, modern key-worker accommodation, hotels, hospitals and universities.

Terrapin offers a full range of offsite options: volumetric, panelised, and steel-framed design and build, all manufactured in-house at their Milton Keynes facility. Over the last 60 years, Terrapin has pioneered innovations in modular design and energy efficiency; their radical volumetric construction system with a rigid light steel frame is at the leading edge of today’s building industry. www.terrapin-ltd.co.uk Avanti Architects is an award winning design consultancy formed in 1981 and based in central London. The practice has been involved in the delivery of a wide range of housing solutions throughout this period and has been at the forefront of many of the debates around mass housing. Their approach is based around creative and clear conceptual thinking, combined with innovation and sustainability. www.avantiarchitects.co.uk If the concepts and proposals illustrated here are of interest to you please contact us and we will be happy to respond to your queries. +44 (0)84 4848 9269