The Foundry - Boutique Modern & Aspiration Homes

Project Details

Project - The Foundry

Sector - Residential

Technology - Volumetric

Company - Boutique Modern & Aspiration Homes

Project Overview

Boutique Modern is a Category 1 - Volumetric Modular Manufacturer. The client; Aspiration Homes is the housing delivery vehicle of Eastbourne Borough Council The scheme was designed to provide 12 new apartments for key-workers, over 4 storeys. The project site is located in a run down neighbourhood which has been identified by the Council as an area for regeneration.

The Foundry development is the first site in this project. The project faced several challenges which we feel should make it a contender for this award:

1. The site had been vacant for many years. Because of the lack of space on the plot convensional construction had proved too expensive. Only Volumetric Prefab was able to realise the scheme.

2. Boutique Modern's Approved Build System enabled us to the shape and size modules to fit the site. Every module was uniquely designed. Some modules were required to be angled and irregular in shape.

3. We had to build on the boundary line on 3 sides of the site which resulted in 8 different wall build-ups being employed in the construction of the modules in our factory to overcome fire and acoustic challenges in the various conditions.

4. The Site is located in a flood zone. The approved design provided by the client at tender stage was for apartments - post tender Boutique Modern flipped the  apartments to a Maisonette format to avoid sleeping accommodation being on the graound floor.

5. The block's footprint occupied 86% of the site so there was no space for material storage or site offices etc on site. Boutique Modern got around this by renting a shop in the same street for use as a site office and wellfair facility. We stored all materials at our Factory and delivered these as and when required on small flatbed vans so as to minimise traffic disruption around the site.

6. The facade of the building was designed to echo the varied venacular in the surrounding street scene. Our Design Team broke the facade up to reduce its dominant  appearance.

7. The building is all electric incorporates a fabric first approach to reduce energy use. There is MVHR in each home and 10Kw of solar PV contributes to the building's energy consumption.