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Ideal Modular Homes to be part of £300m housing project
The Royal Borough of Greenwich has awarded A&E Elkins with a £300m new build housing contract – reported to be the largest contract for new build council homes using modular construction to date.
An alliance formed between London-based developer A&E Elkins, off-site manufacturer Ideal Modular Homes and architects shedkm will deliver up to 750 affordable council homes across 60 sites in the borough. The modular houses will be designed by shedkm and manufactured and delivered by Liverpool-based Ideal Modular Homes.
The project will run across five years with the possible extension of a further five years. All of the homes will be operational net zero, meaning the operational energy of the homes will not only provide environmental benefits but will also be more affordable for tenants, helping to address the fuel poverty gap.
A show home, which was planned with a four-week design and delivery to site, has already been installed, and the first homes for council tenants are expected to be on site before the end of 2020.
Off-site manufacturer Ideal Modular Homes will be part of a £300m housing project in the Royal Borough of Greenwich / Picture: Cosmoscube
Delivering the future of housing, Ideal Modular Homes aims to deliver beautiful, sustainable homes in a cost-efficient way, while significantly improving the quality of new build homes. The modular homes can be manufactured in just four days and installed on site in just eight hours, minimising disruption to the surrounding residents and cutting the delivery programme time by up to 50%.
Luke Barnes, founder and chief executive officer at Ideal Modular Homes, said, “Ideal is delighted to be a part of such an exciting project and Alliance. Councils are under constant pressure to deliver affordable housing at a reduced cost, while still delivering on quality. This Joint Venture will see that beautifully designed high-quality homes can be delivered in half the time that traditional methods would.”
Cllr Anthony Okereke, cabinet member for housing at the Royal Borough of Greenwich, added: “Employing modular techniques as part of our Greenwich Builds programme is allowing us to quickly deliver the high quality and sustainable council homes so badly needed in our borough. With plans for construction on 750 new homes to be underway by 2022, we’re excited to be at the forefront of delivering innovative zero-carbon council properties, making good on Royal Greenwich’s commitments to tackling both the housing crisis and climate change.”
Ideal Modular Homes can manufacture a home in just 4 days at its factory in Liverpool / Picture: Ideal Modular Homes
Designing the homes for the project, Alex Flint, director at shedkm, said: “shedkm is very excited to be involved in this important and innovative project with Greenwich Council. Working closely with our partners, we aspire to bring the highest quality of homes to the borough. Designed to exemplar standards with sustainability at their heart, the homes will feature exceptional space standards, large expanses of glazing and robust facing materials.
“The new homes look to change the perception towards off-site manufacturing, through carefully crafted and long-lasting materials, and considered internal layouts. In addition, we will work alongside the landscape architects to ensure that we create new neighbourhoods with identity and a sense of place, providing the residents with a sense of belonging.”
The project team have been working throughout the Covid-19 pandemic using virtual resources, enabling seamless design and virtual consultation events with stakeholders and the public.