London Semi-Detached Houses Built with Modern Method of Construction MMC
The need for affordable housing is on the increase and other means of building homes are important to keep up with the housing targets. MMC (modern method of construction) is a credible solution. An example of this is the Ealing Council project in Northolt, Ealing, where Buildeco Offsite Architecture was employed to build a number of semi-detached three-bedroom homes using MMC.
The homes were specially designed to be Passivhaus-certified, have low running costs and serve as social affordable housing. They were developed with a “fabric-first” approach, which prioritises the building envelope and insulation as the first line of defence against heat loss. This approach resulted in a panelised system that helps keep energy costs low, even during the coldest winter months. As a result, tenants have reported that their energy bills have been as low as £23 per month, a remarkable achievement for affordable housing.
The building materials used in MMC are typically prefabricated in a factory and then transported to the building site for final assembly. This process offers several benefits, including reduced construction time, lower waste generation, and improved quality control. The Ealing Council’s project utilised skilled and unskilled labour to assemble the building panels on-site, reducing the cost of skilled labour and resulting in significant cost savings for the construction process.
The homes were designed by C.F.Moller Architects UK and constructed, by Buildeco Offsite Architecture and manufactured by Matrix Structures using a panelised system that enables the building to be assembled with an accuracy of ±1mm. This precise assembly allows for a reduced foundation cost, due to the lighter building weight.
The finished product was completed to a high-quality build and energy standard that was endorsed by both the development department and residents living in the accommodation. The project received high praise from David Baptiste, Head of Housing Development at Ealing Council, who commended the quality of the finished product and its achievement of promised thermal performance. The project officer, Robert Turner, noted that the buildings are contemporary and attractive, and they are constructed from materials and using techniques that will minimise long-term maintenance.
In summary, the Ealing Council’s project demonstrates how MMC can deliver affordable and sustainable housing solutions. The use of high-quality, durable materials that will last, combined with the benefits of reduced construction time and cost, makes MMC a viable option for meeting the need for sustainable and affordable housing.
What is an MMC home?
MMC homes, also known as the Modern Method of Construction homes, are built using a modular or prefabricated construction process. This involves the creation of individual building components such as walls, roofs and floors in a factory or off-site location before being transported to the site for assembly. The materials used are typical of high quality and durable and can include energy-efficient technologies.
The MMC home construction process looks like this:
1. Building components are constructed off-site in a factory or off-site location.
2. These components are then transported to the building site.
3. The components are assembled and connected on-site to form the completed home.
4. Finishing touches such as plumbing and electrical work are done on-site.
5. The completed MMC home is ready for occupancy.
MMC homes offer numerous advantages over traditional methods, including reduced construction time and cost, improved quality control, and increased energy efficiency which makes them ideal for various housing types from single-family dwellings to multi-family buildings and affordable housing developments
What does MMC mean in construction?
MMC stands for Modern Method of Construction and is a type of construction that uses prefabricated or modular components. These components are manufactured off-site in a factory or other off-site location before being transported to the building site for assembly. The materials used are typical of high quality and durable and can include energy-efficient technologies. This type of construction offers several advantages over traditional construction methods, including reduced construction time and cost, improved quality control, and increased energy efficiency.
