Against intense competition MODULHAUS™, a new concept in volumetric modular interim homes, was crowned 'Winner of Winners' at the 2021 Offsite Awards. With house prices and rent costs increasing, how can this innovative approach help ease the pressure?
Declared a resounding success in terms of design and execution, since picking up the trophy last September, VOLUMETRIC™ – the team behind this achievement, have gone from strength to strength. MODULHAUS™ launched at a time of crisis and great need. The pandemic was having far reaching implications and the NHS was struggling to cope. Against this backdrop VOLUMETRIC™ have expanded their lean manufacturing facilities to keep up with demand and have launched a new market-leading dual occupancy module with an expanded configuration. Focusing on ergonomics and style, a fully furnished set up and commissioned two-person MODULHAUS™ home is now on display at the VOLUMETRIC™ HQ. This has been designed to meet the specific needs of the public sector and provide a low cost, high quality residential solution for keyworkers that are struggling to find accommodation close to their working environment.
Keyworker Accommodation
With housing prices on the increase and rents on the rise coupled with exponential growth in energy costs – for many keyworkers owning or renting a home is extremely challenging. One of the biggest obstacles currently facing the NHS as defined in their long-term plan, is the gap in workforce numbers as recruitment and retention declines. Based on current trends, the total shortfall of healthcare staff by 2030 could reach 250,000. Much of this can be attributed to a lack of accommodation in areas of greatest need.
With the demand for keyworkers never greater, MODULHAUS™ offers an alternative to ongoing hotel and long-distance travel expenses. Solving the issues of accommodation scarcity in understaffed areas and supplying safe, secure and low energy housing for long or short-term keyworker requirements.
Versatile and Economical
The needs of keyworkers are changing. Adaptable and secure, MODULHAUS™ can be installed on NHS and Local Authority sites to create on-the-spot residential accommodation. Stackable accommodation modules make the most of unused space and can be located using an elevated sub-structure above car parks. The fully non-combustible structure with Secured by Design doors and windows together with double-lined external walls – create a home from home living space that performs from fit to finish. MODULHAUS™ is being cited as a flexible asset, making it perfect for alternative use as offices or administration spaces if needs change. NHS Estate Managers are turning to MODULHAUS™ as a rapid, reliable, and highly cost-efficient interim housing solution. The VOLUMETRIC™ team can work closely with project designers and site managers to ensure full potential is reached for any space. Looking towards the future needs of NHS Estates, VOLUMETRIC™ can provide a long-term solution to fit many unique requirements.
Where Sustainability Meets Performance
Two years design and development, sustainability and energy efficiency are at the heart of the MODULHAUS™ innovation. Right from the initial concept stages, the decision was reached to develop a modular solution that would exceed the Future Homes Standard to relieve the burden of ongoing expenses associated with traditional temporary accommodation and negate fuel poverty.
LABC Assured with a 60-year BOPAS Certified design-life, MODULHAUS™ homes are future-proofed for Building Regulation changes and achieve lower whole-life carbon impact than equivalent timber frame dwellings of the same size.
Arriving 100% complete ready for simple site connection and commissioning – design features include ergonomic internal fully fitted living space with furnishings, bedrooms, shower-rooms and kitchens complete with white goods. Modules are provided on a turnkey basis, fully equipped for immediate occupation. Available in a range of claddings and colour combinations, MODULHAUS™ sits on six low-impact foundation pads to minimise groundworks and requires only electric, water and waste connections via an innovative 'plug and play' solution in conjunction with a modular Energy Centre that facilitates low-energy living.
Walls are double-lined with non-combustible (high impact) boards to provide fire and acoustic performance, whilst encapsulating insulation to meet energy efficiency requirements with exceptional U-values (as low as 0.09W/m²K) and airtightness to work with the integral mechanical ventilation and heat recovery (MVHR) system.
The future-proof energy strategy for MODULHAUS™ is designed to exceed the Future Homes Standard with Environment B and A rating and emissions as low as 229.5Kg CO2/year. Significantly exceeding energy efficiency and sustainability requirements.
MODULHAUS™ homes can be purchased outright under a full turnkey package. Alternatively, they can be supplied under a lease-purchase agreement or leased under a long-term arrangement for a variety of packages to suit different sites and budgets.
VOLUMETRIC™ adopts a partnership approach and works in close collaboration to develop bespoke MODULHAUS™ homes to meet individual site briefs and budgets of NHS Estates Managers.
For more information and to see examples of recent projects visit: www.volumetric.co.uk
