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 – it is here where one offsite manufacturer is offering a range of answers.
Following the success of the single person MODULHAUS™ homeless solution, VOLUMETRIC™ – the offsite specialists behind this achievement have explored new markets and applications. With house prices and rents on the rise coupled with exponential growth in energy costs – for many keyworkers owning or renting a home is extremely challenging.
Presenting a practical solution to this ongoing issue, MODULHAUS™ DUO offers an alternative to costly ongoing hotel and travel expenses for NHS managers. Adaptable and secure, modules can be installed on NHS sites to create high quality on-the-spot overnight accommodation. Stackable accommodation modules make the most of unused space and can even be located on elevated podiums above car parks.
Designed and developed by VOLUMETRIC™ a specialist manufacturer of rapid build solutions, MODULHAUS™ DUO utilises offsite construction to achieve outstanding functional performance and energy efficiency. Exceeding Future Homes Standards and delivering net zero accommodation, these modules create adaptable, affordable and sustainable two-person homes that can be configured to meet various requirements.
Arriving 100% complete, modules are provided on a turnkey basis ready for site connection and commissioning. Design features include extended ergonomic internal living space with open plan accommodation and fully fitted kitchens, furnishings, bedrooms, shower-rooms and underfloor heating. The specification has been improved with internal fittings and kitchen units upgraded to create an efficient and stylish living space.
Facilitating off-grid living, the revolutionary Energy Centre, designed and developed by VOLUMETRIC™ – meets the energy requirements of up to six modules. Containing an air source heat pump and a battery storage unit, this intelligent technology is digitally connected to each module and the 10sq m photovoltaic (PV) 'roof rack' above – instantly responding to demands for hot water, heating and energy requirements.
Although modules have mains connection, the Energy Centre can meet demands at most times of the year as energy generated during the day is stored in battery cells until required. Surplus energy goes back into the grid, carbon offsetting – creating 'free' energy and net zero living.
LABC Assured with a 60-year BOPAS Accredited design-life, these modular homes are also fully relocatable and can be moved to meet future demand with all aspects of the dwelling fully recoverable – including screw-pile foundations and service umbilical pipe work, along with the Energy Centre, meaning that over 95% of a project can be re-used in another part of the country at any point in the future.
MODULHAUS™ is fully tested and commissioned pre-delivery with highquality fixtures and fittings throughout. The development and installation process has been optimised, from factory environment assembly to ground works, with quality checks at each step. With a pre-manufactured value (PMV) exceeding 90%, achieved by adopting the maximum levels of up-stream sub-assembly/pre-kitting and assuring consistent quality through robust manufacturing and assembly methods. MODULHAUS™ sits on six low-impact foundation pads to minimise groundworks. Delivered in one load, providing predictability of costs and timescales – depending on site layouts and stacking requirements, modules can be installed in a matter of hours, enhancing operational improvements.
Looking to the future needs of NHS Estates, MODULHAUS™ provides a long-term solution to meet many unique requirements. Fitted with low energy electrical, underfloor heating, white goods, sanitary appliances, and lighting designed to minimise waste and reduce carbon emissions, water consumption, and heat loss – modules are extremely energy efficient with running costs as little as £5 per week. Exceptional U-values as low as 0.09W/m²K and airtightness to work with the integral mechanical ventilation and heat recovery (MVHR) system, MODULHAUS™ homes are future-proofed for Building Regulation changes and achieve 17% lower whole-life carbon impact than equivalent timber frame dwellings of the same size.
An embodied carbon assessment has been undertaken based on RICS and British Standard guidance and includes information from Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and publicly available carbon data. At all stages of the MODULHAUS™ system development, these criteria have been assessed for the forecast 60 year whole-life embodied carbon, along with system energy use calculations and current actual in-use regulated energy and water.
The Future Homes Standard outlines changes to Building Regulations Part L (conservation of fuel and power) and Part F (ventilation) that will ultimately come into effect in 2025 to ensure that all new homes in England are futureproofed with low-carbon heating systems and high levels of energy efficiency. The futureproof energy strategy for MODULHAUS™ DUO is designed to exceed the Future Homes Standard with Environmental B and A rating and emissions as low as 229.5Kg CO2/year.
The airtightness achieved enhances in-use energy efficiency and reduces carbon emissions for the lifetime of the building. Results of 3m³/hr/m² air loss at 50 Pa are being routinely achieved during pressure testing as part of QA procedures. As there may be a requirement to stack the modules the structure is formed from hot rolled steel frames, infilled with insulated profiled steel panels.
Walls are double lined with a fire rated A1 non-combustible board to provide fire and acoustic performance, whilst encapsulating building services. NHS estate managers are now turning to MODULHAUS™ as a rapid, reliable, and highly cost-efficient housing solution. The two-person interim homes offer an alternative to ongoing hotel and long-distance travel expenses. Solving the issues of accommodation scarcity in understaffed areas and supplying safe, secure housing for keyworker requirements.
For more information visit: www.volumetric.co.uk
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