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!
EnvironmentalSocial Economic
Code for Sustainable Homes
Introduced Dec 2007
EnergyWasteWaterMaterialsPollutionHealth and well-beingManagementEcology
Effect of Code on MMC
EnergyWaterMaterialsWaste
Energy
ChallengeU-values 0.35 to 0.15 W/m2KAirtightness to 3 m3 / hr per m2
Renewable technologies integrated into traditional buildThese 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 environmentMore control (quality & management)
Environmental Impacts Energy – pros & consFactory• 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 impactFavours low embodied energy, low mass, low maintenance materials
Responsible sourcingTimber certification (e.g. FSC, CSA, PEFC)Environmental Management System
Climate ChangeFavours low global warming potential insulants
Material Innovations
Centred mainly on:Reducing solar heat gain
Masonry block MMC panelsPhase changing materials
Reducing heat lossAerogelsVacuum 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
0200400600800
1,0001,2001,4001,6001,8002,000
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Valu
e £
mill
ions
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 2020Ann
ual t
onne
s of
was
te
(mill
ions
)
Reduction in total w aste from construction Reduction w aste sent tolandfill and spread on exempt sites
Market Transformation ProgrammeOpportunities 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 PlasticsPackaging Canteen / office / adhocMetals InsulationConcrete TimberPlaster / 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 m³/hr/m² 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 strength’s• 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……