Delivering Sustainable Buildings:

Modern Methods of Construction

Andrew R Walker Housing & Innovation
Scope
Energy savings through MMC
Air-tightness
Insulation
Reduced thermal bridging
Water usage and material savings
Waste savings through MMC
Off-site construction in factories
Social & economic contributions
Sustainability encouraging MMC?
Sustainability encouraging innovation?
Sustainability at a high level!
Environmental
Social
Economic
Code for Sustainable Homes
Introduced Dec 2007
Energy
Waste
Water
Materials
Pollution
Health and well-
being
Management
Ecology
Effect of Code on MMC
Energy
Water
Materials
Waste
Energy
Challenge
U-values 0.35 to 0.15 W/m
2
K
Airtightness to 3 m
3
/ hr per m
2
Renewable technologies
integrated into traditional build
These are only touching the
surface!
Building energy efficient buildings using modern methods of
construction, EST, pg12
Energy Challenge - Airtightness
Energy Challenge - Airtightness
Energy Challenge - Renewables
Do we have the skills on-site to install these systems?
WILL it be easier to train factory workers to install the
system.
Better environment
More control (quality & management)
Environmental Impacts Energy pros & cons
Factory
Insulation & services
hidden
Designed to exceed
Part L, thermal and air
tightness
More flexibility
Thinner walls to get
higher U values
Better control of
innovative technologies
Conventional site
Air tightness historically
not as good
On-site application can
cause quality concerns
More material required
to meet lower u-values
Water
Low use appliances
WC
Washing machine
Dishwasher
Bath
Shower
Taps
Use of non-mains water
Rainwater
Greywater
Blackwater
Incorporated during fit-out or in
pods
Materials
Materials
Environmental impact
Favours low embodied energy,
low mass, low maintenance
materials
Responsible sourcing
Timber certification (e.g. FSC,
CSA, PEFC)
Environmental Management
System
Climate Change
Favours low global warming
potential insulants
Material Innovations
Centred mainly on:
Reducing solar heat gain
Masonry block MMC panels
Phase changing materials
Reducing heat loss
Aerogels
Vacuum insulated panels
Products using almost
100% recycled content
Waste equation
Assume factories are more efficient than site
More MMC * Greater efficiency = Less Waste
MMC Growth
Figure 1 Growth forecast for MMC
permanent buildings
0
200
400
600
800
1,000
1,200
1,400
1,600
1,800
2,000
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
V
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u
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m
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MMC = Reduction in Waste
Possible reduction in waste through
increases in use of MMC
0.0
5.0
10.0
15.0
20.0
25.0
30.0
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
A
n
n
u
a
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t
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s

o
f

w
a
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t
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m
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)
Reduction in total waste from construction Reduction waste sent tolandfill and spread on exempt sites
Market Transformation Programme
Opportunities for Waste Reduction Through MMC
Waste Analysis from MMC
SmartLIFE Project
comparing steel frame, timber frame and masonry
Calibre
Labour content
Lead times
Value added
SmartWaste
Resource Efficiency
WRAP
Comparing masonry on site waste, with,
MMC on site + factory waste
WRAP Volumetric Project
Comparing:
normal site based on site waste, with,
MMC on site + factory waste
6-11% reduction in
waste
22% reduction in
waste
0.00
2.00
4.00
6.00
8.00
10.00
12.00
Site Based Volumetric
Electrical Equipment Plastics
Packaging Canteen / office / adhoc
Metals Insulation
Concrete Timber
Plaster / cement Other
EPI
SITE BASED VOLUMETRIC
52% reduction
in waste
The social and economic question?
More houses more factories?
Economic sustainability
the factory in a region builds the homes for that region
local people work in local factories
Social sustainability
Look at Honda in Swindon, local community proud to build
the Honda!
Could happen with MMC factories
Delivering sustainable communities is a
much bigger question..
Is MMC already delivering?
Stewart Milne
Kingspan
Green House A Home for the Future?
Code Level 6
First to be built by volume
housebuilder
MMC masonry walls and SIP
roof
Thermally efficient building
fabric
<1.0 m/hr/m air tightness
Mechanical ventilation and
heat recovery
Water efficient appliances and
rainwater recycling for WC
Lifetime Homes & Secured by
Design compliant
Computerised BMS
Is MMC a sustainable construction method?
YES, but,
Clearly understand what sustainability YOU
want?
We need to understand their constraints
and utilise their strengths
We need to understand that the composite
nature of MMC enables you to both improve
and reduce sustainability
MMC is between 10 60% of the process
remember to integrate it with the complete process
Thank you for listening