From September, a consortium of housing associations and partnership housebuilders called Amphion aims to have a plant exploiting off-site manufacture to offer build flexibility at low cost. Tim Venables of University of Sussex’s Science and Technology Policy Research looks at Amphion’s imported technology.
Amphion Consortium is a grouping of housing associations that has set out to filter the best processes and techniques in use overseas and apply the lessons to the UK housing market. It is not embarking on a wholesale importation of ideas and techniques from countries such as Sweden, Japan, Holland and Canada. Amphion’s aims are summed up in its name which stands for ‘advanced manufacturing process for housing innovation’.

Sweden’s extensive natural resources of forestry make timber an ideal construction material. Manufacturer Meya House produces 2500 housing units a year in its factories for clients such as Ikea. The company demonstrates that it is possible to construct complete homes using panel systems, including installation of services, so that minimum site work is required.

The Swedes have also demonstrated a willingness to invest in the development of new systems of building. The risks associated with this were reduced by co-operative efforts through the supply chain. This was illustrated by a development in Vaxjo where Skanska as developer and contractor formed a joint venture with Sodra Timber to use prefabricated timber designs on a project with savings and profits being shared within the JV.

In Japan the use of customer centres is particularly prevalent. As well as being used as a marketing tool they also serve to illustrate new technologies and elicit feedback from potential customers. Japanese manufacturers also offer choices managed in a way that ensures that optional features are chosen from a standard range of products.

Lessons from Japan and Sweden have given the Amphion Consortium and its lead members Hyde HA, Hastoe, Swale HA and Beazer Partnership Homes ideas for innovations to improve customer satisfaction. Research in Canada and Holland provided new technical methods, in particular the use of structural insulated panels (SIPs) - two skins of ply separated by polystyrene insulation which slot together and are then clamped by an internal “lock.” Also of interest was the use of timber I beams, precast concrete foundation systems including cellar walls, and whole roof systems.

In the Netherlands, only 2-3% of housing is constructed using timber frame, and these are primarily built using the platform method, with an external skin of brickwork. However, there is an increase in the use of closed-wall elements including factory-installed insulation, internal linings, windows and doors, combined with site-installed cladding. Some makers are also using systems where panels are hinged together and fold out during crane erection to form 3D roof and wall shells.

Putting learning into practice

Amphion intends to bring these concepts together, adapting them to UK conditions and demonstrating the potential of:

  • collaboration between clients in order to ensure a suitable volume of housing to enable factory production

  • integration and collaboration along the supply chain relying on an open book approach to partnering and accounting

  • an open approach to innovation with mechanisms learning and sharing ideas.

  • the use of the resource centre for research and development, market research and customer education

  • proactive encouragement of innovative approaches to cladding

  • extensive use of off site production

  • the use of multi-skilled labour.

To do this the consortium is working with a single contractor, appointed this month, in a partnering relationship.

For more information contact t.j.g.venables@sussex.ac.uk

Source

Building Homes