The future is modular: Could prefabs be the key to solving Britain's housing crisis?

A new range of prefabricated solutions being rolled out across the country has the potential to help address Britain’s affordable housing shortage

As employees, students and householders, we know how the design of a spaces makes such a difference to how we feel and how well we perform the activities in which we are engaged.

In recent years, architects have become pro-active in designing in order to create an atmosphere conducive to the activity in hand.

According to Dr John Edward, an associate architect at Atkins, modular design is opening up all kinds of new possibilities in human-centred building design.

“As architects and designers we are constantly aware of the need to create places and spaces that are uplifting,” he says.

“I’m inspired by the potential of well-designed prefabricated construction and the modern processes we have for creating component-based buildings and facilities.”

Construction technology has moved on significantly since the traditional ‘prefabs’ of the past, he says. By designing a building in modules – or sections – designers can work off site – which in turn improves safety, reduce waste, adapt a space to diverse and future uses and make use of cutting-edge technology and materials.

“A new range of prefabricated housing solutions is being rolled out across the country with the potential to help tackle Britain’s affordable housing crisis,” says John.

“But for this to be truly successful we need to ensure quality and liveability of these spaces features throughout, highlighting the use of space and light whilst applying our ability to build quickly, robustly and cheaply without compromising on these important aspects of design.

“It will be through delivering on these promises for future modular builds we can say we’ve truly learnt from the past and repositioned the potential of prefab.”

Modular designers are especially interested in the management of natural light, which is believed to create a sense of physical and mental comfort, and to have benefits far beyond merely being an aid to sight.

“Using new technology and data we are beginning to use our understanding of light to inform how we design and create spaces for the end user. They also help us reduce the reliance on complicated mechanical and electrical systems and reduce environmental impacts and running costs.”

But modular design can also be adapted to work within established built environments. Dr Edwards cites as an example the Het 4e Gymnasium in Amsterdam.

“It was the first temporary and modular building I visited. From a design perspective it’s a great example of an expressive modular built facade that’s hard to distinguish from a traditional building due to the use of great innovative techniques.”

John has a passion for education, and did his a PhD in ‘The effects of the primary classroom environment on the implementation of the national curriculum”, looking closely at the architectural design of key stage 2 primary classrooms.

“The desperate need for new school places has only partially been addressed,” he says.

“I believe high quality prefabricated technologies have an important role to play in extending school sites, economically and quickly in key areas of need.

Atkins’ Lime Tree Primary Academy [in Sale, south of Manchester] is a case in point – a creative and bespoke design for a ‘forest’ school with a highly specialised environment that prioritises outdoor learning and direct engagement with nature.

“This major site, for 420 pupils, was delivered in just 19 weeks and is an exemplar which can help schools nationally meet increasing demographic demands.”

Original link – Telegraph