The history of MMC in Scandinavia starts with the timber industry moving into the flat-pack, off-site market in the nineteenth century. Suppliers could then expand and develop to become main contractors. Later, the cement industry followed the same trajectory, and we today see a variety of volumetric and flat-pack systems used for construction at all scales.

 

One could argue that the timber log cabin set the scene, making way for a wider acceptance and cementing the idea that a robust home is built from a kit of parts – a tree is only so tall. A log cabin can be assembled, then later easily extended and repaired, or even disassembled to be reassembled and possibly repurposed elsewhere. During the nineteenth century, log cabins were commonly upgraded with timber plank cladding painted in red to resemble brick, lending to what became an iconic aesthetic that has since become part of our cultural heritage. These houses have commonly been used for centuries.

 

After working in the UK for seven years, we have experienced that maximising MMC commonly forms part of KPI’s at early RIBA Stages 0-1. This is to ensure quality and speed of delivery. These aspirations often fall to the wayside at a later stage however, referring to cost uplifts and supply chain limitations. There is clearly a need for rethinking business models and design processes to stop this from happening in the UK moving forward.

 

It was great to hear Pat Hayes champion MMC as “the only way forward” during the NLA Modular construction briefing session. We need developers to raise the demand. He went on to comment that using MMC does not mean that all buildings need to look the same, or that modules necessarily need to be showing  in the external detailing This is very similar to the automotive industry’s platform sharing for cars, that eventually look very different. There is plenty of evidence in Scandinavian cities to support this.  Here any joints in the external envelope would inform the design strategy to be hidden in the detailing, and buildings utilising MMC come in all shapes and sizes.

 

In Scandinavia, MMC is simply called ‘prefab’ (prefabricated and brought to site for assembly) and it strikes me as offering opportunities of adopting a present-day version of the log cabin approach in the UK. That is, if we find ways of maximising production using locally sourced materials. Of course, the benefits in reduced waste, better work environments and quality in construction are now long proven and documented.

 

Where we stand now, there is a need the for the building industry to invest in developing products suited for addressing the climate emergency. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a future where businesses that fail to invest now will go out of business. Much like typewriter manufacturers failing to move into the PC arena in the 80s and 90’s went out of business. We collectively need to stop the short-term ROI mentality and invest in the future. This involves developing sustainable solutions, along with securing supply that can scale to meet a growing demand.

 

Sustainable MMC could play an important role in meeting the 2030 and 2050 net zero targets. This would require MMC designed for disassembly using components that have little embodied carbon or better still, act as reusable carbon sinks. In the UK fire regulations have become a large hurdle, causing huge unease among insurance companies and mortgage lenders. We experienced this first-hand on Be First’s Gascoigne Estate regeneration. This was originally designed as modular CLT and at 526 homes in the firstassignment, it was the first large-scale development of its kind in the UK. At some point during the early stages of Gascoigne East Phase 2, Grenfell happened, changing the trajectory of this project and affecting a generation of emerging British timber design. However, I believe the climate will eventually trump the current regulations, helping us find a more nuanced approach that enables a wider use of timber.

 

Next level MMC is designed for disassembly, with a circular approach in mind. The factory should provide an ideal setting for evaluating materials for reuse at scale, carrying out testing ensuring there is a predictable service life, enabling warranting and certificates. 

 

Maybe we need to go back to the future: taking on the idea that a robust home should be built from a kit of highly sustainable, locally sourced parts, and able to adapt to future needs.