Modular construction
sits at the forefront of industry innovation, providing solutions that are
quicker, cleaner and less expensive than traditional building.
As the demands of the
end-users and specifiers change, Elite Systems is always considering what the
next phase of bespoke modular construction might look like so that it can stay
ahead of the curve.
As a result, the
company has developed a brand new concept building, which it will unveil to the
public for the first time at The Build Show at Birmingham’s NEC on 10th – 12th
October.
Elite Systems’
commercial manager, Jason Bowker, said: "Our decades of experience of
designing and installing modular buildings for healthcare, commercial use and
education have given us valuable insights into creating bespoke sustainable
modular buildings.
"The new eco modular concept is a future-proof building that can stand up to the rigours of
everyday use whilst minimising environmental impact. We’ve considered
every element of the design to ensure that the building exceeds current
building regulations whilst creating a pleasant environment for the end user.
"One of the key
features of the concept is clever use of ventilation and insulation to regulate
the temperature without the need for air conditioning and heating
systems. Windows are triple glazed and the walls feature triple-layered
insulation to keep the heat in, and the building benefits from additional solar
shading to keep heat out in summer, while the positioning of the windows draws
more air into the building to cool the interior space.
"We have
specified greener materials throughout the building, from the timber frame to
the increased use of low-VOC materials to create a ‘healthier’ space. The
rainwater harvesting system is built into the design so that there is no large
unsightly tank bolted onto the exterior of the building. In ideal
conditions, the solar PV roof panels will create all the energy the building
requires to run.
"The eco concept
is designed to be suitable for a range of real world applications. The
flexibility of the design means that it can be used as a modular classroom,
office building, sports pavilion or modular hospital ward.
"Our bespoke
design capabilities mean that the concept is scalable: while the model we are
unveiling at the Build Show is based around the footplate of a two-classroom
education building, in reality we can manufacture significantly bigger eco
buildings based on this design.
"With small
changes to the shading elements, the concept can be applied to a two or
three-storey modular building system and the only limiting factor to the
floorplate is the size of the space available.
"And while this
building will stand the test of time, it is also a good option for a temporary
modular solution. Specifying the eco concept as a temporary structure will
result in our installation team requiring a shorter time onsite, and the building
can be easily relocated if required.
"The concept’s
sustainability and green credentials are the guiding design principle of the
building, but we understand why specifiers choose modular construction: speed,
cost and lack of disruption.
"The eco concept
doesn’t compromise on these benefits. While certain elements result in a
slightly longer manufacturing schedule of around two weeks, the installation of
the building can still be completed within the usual timeframe of around six
weeks.
"At Elite, we
pride ourselves on our ability to create bespoke modular solutions: in this
case, the design is adaptable, but certain components such as the rainwater
harvesting system and low-VOC materials are applicable across the board.
That means our customers can reap the benefits of cost-savings from including
these key design elements rather than designing a green solution from scratch.
"The eco concept
builds on our decades of experience providing modular solutions to create a
sustainable futureproof system that meets our customers’ needs for years to
come."
