2020 was a turning point for developers, viewing their
developments with a green filter. It consolidated the importance of
sustainable construction. This year we will see a ratcheting up of the
"green" uptake in all projects where off-site construction has
the advantage.
Modern methods of construction/MMC facilitates innovation, a
key element to mitigating the effects of climate change. It reduces site waste,
develops products focused on energy efficiency, and its timber frames embody
carbon. MMC offers the solution needed for developers to undertake sustainable
construction.
Government plans
2020 saw the Prime Minister's 10-point plan for a Green
Revolution which set the tone for what we will see in 2021. The Energy
White Paper requires cross-sector synergies for example, developers
will need to pay attention to the changes in the energy sector as it directly
affects the way we build homes (the use of materials/products), the move
towards clean energy (using solar panels, batteries and energy efficient
products) and incorporating EV charge points and other Mobility aspects
in developments.
We reported earlier
last year on the changes announced by the Prime Minister to the planning
system. This will have a profound impact on developers and in their use of
off-site manufactured products, and the customisation of DfMA. Developers
will in addition need a wholistic approach to their "green"
developments, on account of new measures such as the Biodiversity
Net Gain.
Industry developments
Working with the industry UK GBC also brought out last year
guidance in unlocking
the delivery of net zero carbon buildings which is aimed at developers
and project teams to support them in setting strategies at the outset of any
project to streamline the delivery of net zero carbon buildings.
Within this snapshot focus on sustainability and anticipated
change via the planning system, Mark Farmer and Mike De’Ath's report Build
Homes, Build Jobs, Build Innovation brought in to focus the immense
impact modular construction can have in the house-building industry sprinkled
with sustainability as a theme.
Big players such as Berkeley, BoKlok, ilke Homes, Top Hat are all also framing
their rhetoric and operations here. We are therefore about to see a concerted
shift towards green construction and in that the use of MMC will be embedded
within this sustainability matrix.
Finally, just last month (and something we are tracking with
interest) saw the launch of the Define
the Need stage report of the Platform Design Programme part of the
Construction Innovation Hub. The platform applies systems engineering and
manufacturing techniques that will create a market for buildings made from
platform construction systems. Such a system can be used to reduce lifetime
carbon emissions and integrate active renewable energy systems. This platform brings
together public and private sector main players and offers an adaptable
solution for varied end-use.
Summary
This focus on building green has a wider remit. In 2020 we
also saw the launch of the Construction
Playbook which has MMC as one of its focuses and which will play a key
role in public works projects. The playbook states that achieving sustainable
outcomes should be considered alongside net zero carbon commitments.
We believe these extra push factors via public sector works channels and public-private collaborations will see off-site construction playing an important role in the pipeline of sustainable developments in 2021.
Suriya Edwards- Foot Anstey
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