1st December 2006 - MODERN METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION - BUILDING BLOCKS FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
The Government has stepped up its challenge to the construction industry to adopt a more sustainable approach to development. In doing so, it is urging companies to consider Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) in order to produce the quality and quantity of housing needed to meet current and future demand.
In response to the 2004 Barker review, the Government committed to increase housing provision from 150,000 to 200,000 new homes per year over the next decade. Furthermore, the review identified the need for more affordable housing and promoted the concept of mixed-use residential developments to provide different housing types to reflect changing lifestyle trends. Reaching these targets is dependent on a positive response from the house building industry to the use of innovative construction products and in particular, the application of MMC. MMC essentially offer a way of producing new housing more quickly and cost effectively than 'traditional' methods, whilst also delivering the maximum service life possible.
Park Central - part of the award winning 261 million pounds Attwood Green regeneration scheme in the heart of Birmingham - is a leading example of this move towards sustainable mixed-use development. It will deliver more than 3,500 new apartments and freehold houses over a ten-year period. Tarmac Topblock provided all of the blockwork for the Park Central scheme, and in keeping with the developer's requirement to use sustainable products, also supplied its Durox System with thin joint blockwork, which is an acknowledged MMC.
On completion of Park Central, which is scheduled for 2010, the scheme will represent the largest mixed-use development to date to employ the Durox System.
The Park Central project is a partnership between developer Crest Nicholson, Birmingham City Council and Optima Community Association. Ian Plumley, sales and marketing director for Crest Nicholson, said: "Park Central is one our fastest selling schemes. Buyers are attracted by the high standards of the properties as well as the energy efficiency and low maintenance lifestyle they offer thanks to our use of MMC. From a building perspective, Tarmac Topblock products like the Durox System are critical in helping us deliver a high quality development that is not only a model for sustainability, but which is also built to last."
Robin Reed, national accounts manager for Tarmac Topblock adds: "An ever increasing focus for house builders is the adoption of sustainable policies and practices, especially for regeneration projects like Park Central. The advantage of using Durox System is that it relies on tried and tested aircrete products that have proven durability and longevity. Not only does this reduce replacement costs, compared to lighter construction methods, the maintenance costs are also generally low. This construction process also adds sustainability to any building scheme and ensures the finished properties will stand the test of time, and deliver the maximum service life to tenants and owners."
Tarmac's Durox System with thin joint blockwork uses simple brick and block methodology, overcoming one of the key barriers to MMC adoption. It is a quick, simple and cost-effective building method. Its lightweight structure makes it easy to cut and the thin set mortar gives a finished look that is visibly neater and cleaner. The larger 620mm blocks sizes and fast setting mortar enable the Durox System to offer increased productivity and faster speed of build and because the blocks are easy to handle and simple to install, labour costs, training, and programme times are also reduced.
The Durox System can be used for internal party walls and partitions as well as external solid and cavity walls. The reduced mortar joint means provides air tightness and enhanced thermal performance. Concrete and aircrete also possess exceptional thermal mass properties which means the temperature of a building is optimised all year round and will require much less energy
to heat in winter or cool in summer. Because of these thermal mass properties, modern masonry constructions outperform other methods in terms of CO2 emissions. In fact, over a 60-year period, a timber-framed house will emit around 15 tonnes more CO2 than a concrete or masonry constructed home.
