Pictured above: Nigel Massey with the award outside the
prizewinning Sycamore Green houses
An innovative Midland developer has walked off with a top award
for the design and construction of environmentally friendly houses
which take just two hours to erect on site.
Lichfield-based Massey Ltd received the top award at the
Staffordshire Building Excellence awards, beating off competition
from major developers. Massey's owner, Nigel Massey, was presented
with the award.
The awards, presented by the Staffordshire Local Authority
Building Control Group, were for a two-house development in
Sycamore Green, Cannock. The awards are presented for sustainable
development, and Masseys will now be put forward for a national
award.
The Sycamore Green houses were manufactured using the very
latest off-site construction methods, but when completed are
indistinguishable from conventionally built homes. The time from
unprepared land to the handover of the finished homes was less than
six weeks, compared to the current industry norm of five to six
months.
The houses exceed current environmental standards, having
achieved Code Level 4 certification - the Government's exacting
standard for sustainable housing. They boast extremely low heating
costs, are built from sustainable and renewable materials, reduce
carbon emissions by more than half and use energy efficient
electrical fittings. Construction waste was reduced to just
three per cent.
Nigel Massey said he was thrilled to receive the award, and
thanked Cannock Chase Building Control for their help in embracing
new technologies. "These houses set new standards and I am
delighted they have been recognised in this way. Our next phase is
to do all the modular assembly locally, which we are hoping to
achieve soon," he said.
"The off-site manufactured pods are extremely versatile and can
be used in many different types of domestic and commercial
buildings reducing build time on site to a fraction of the normal
time. Because of their fantastic heat insulation and quality of
finish they are particularly suited to nursing homes, and that is
something we are exploring," he added.
The houses are made of weather-tight, super-insulated pods which
were fully assembled, wired, plumbed and decorated before leaving
the factory. Windows, doors, heating, kitchen, bathroom and toilets
are installed, and even carpets and floor coverings were fitted in
the factory. They were then delivered to the site on a low loader
and craned into position.
Once on site they were connected to pre-laid water, sewage and
electricity services. External brick walls were built around the
units and the tiled roof was added using conventional building
methods. The total time on site was less than six weeks.
Massey Ltd is a design and building developer specialising in
bespoke houses and residential care homes. Nigel Massey said the
Sycamore Green houses ticked every box in terms of speed,
environmental credentials and cost.
"We have had representatives from local authorities and housing
associations visit these homes and they are extremely impressed. In
these cost-conscious days of getting quality, best value, and a
need to generate revenues quickly while not sacrificing
environmental values, this construction process is the answer to a
prayer," he said.
He added, "There are other off-site manufactured systems, but
they all have their downsides. Some look too alternative or
temporary, or they lack structural integrity. Our product looks
conventional, is efficient and is environmentally
friendly."
The Staffordshire Building Excellence Awards were held at the
Pirelli Stadium, home of Burton Albion Football Club, in front of
more than 100 invited guests. They were presented by the chairman
of the LABC group, Nick Henman.