Speeding up construction methods

There are a reported 8.4M people in England who are affected by the current housing shortage, and due to many years of failure from the construction industry to meet successive governments’ new housing targets, two exponents of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) are asking why it is taking so long for architects, developers, financiers and contractors to change their ways.

One of the UK’s largest and leading high-volume insulated panel manufacturers, Hemsec have been working with Chartered Structural Engineers Atom Consultants since 2005, with both companies sharing similar values and having a passion for excellence in construction, as well as, an understanding of the intrinsic benefits of Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs).

Atom also have a wealth of expertise in modular and semi-modular construction sector, successfully positioning themselves as project management and engineering partners for the construction of schools, commercial and industrial properties, along with residential property.

Using the combined expertise of Hemsec and Atom Consultants, both companies are hoping to persuade professionals within the construction industry to use the current housing crisis as a springboard into action, by taking advantage of the multiple ways in which SIPs can be used, and, the significant financial savings achievable over the long-term, a well as the speed of delivery.

Hemsec Commercial Manger, Chris Griffin, said: “The scale of the UK’s housing crisis demonstrates that a change in building practice is urgently needed, due to the number of poor-quality homes, inappropriate accommodation and overcrowding. This means that thousands of new homes have been construction. Building research shows that SIPs are the most economical, energy efficient and eco-friendly forms of construction. Ask any project manager who has used SIPS and they will tell you that the material will save time, money and labour costs. Unfortunately, some people think SIPs are only useful for infill panels; however, those professionals who have worked with them for some time will know they are far more flexible and are adaptable for many purposes – and are the obvious solutions.

James Lupton, Principal at Atom Consultants added: “Atom has worked with Hemsec and its delivery partners on many different solutions based on the Hemsec SIPs, which adopt the MMC approach. This has included housing, commercial projects, hotel renovation and various schools’ projects. We believe in SIPs because they offer a number of benefits in construction: reduced operational costs, energy efficiency and a quicker build time-frame as well as a reliable and effective build process. I would strongly encourage other project commissioners to consider SIPs for their project.”

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