This recently completed 20-unit scheme for Hyde Housing Association, designed as part of the Government's RAPID programme to develop and demonstrative the innovative demountable method of construction, is following an earlier successful completion of similar (but smaller) buildings in Barling Court, Stockwell and Wyndham Road, Southwark.

Constructed utilising an advanced volumetric BUMA Free-Dom system, the building, largely constructed of light weight steel framing, comprises of one and two-bedroom flats, built around two independent staircases and communal hallway, designed to modern, high-quality standards. Demountable construction is designed to accommodate any future changes to the urban fabric, therefore addressing the issue of urban sustainability and required flexibility. Besides the steel frame structure that can be dismantled, the foundations are screw piles that can be removed and re-used elsewhere, and the same principles apply to the housing itself. The development can be dismantled in 9-10 days and erected on an alternative site, remodelled or recycled, as required.

Elevations finished with lightweight metal cladding and spray render on a particle board system, incorporate full height glazing and feature balconies of galvanised steel, glass and timber, painted in corresponding colours giving the building a unique identity.

The BUMA system's volumetric modules are box-like building segments that are manufactured in the factory. Almost any building can be divided at its designing stage into parts, i.e. volumetric modules, of dimensions and weight enabling their shipment to the site on trucks, and the subsequent erection on site with the use of a truck-mounted crane.

Under the Free-Dom system, the volumetric modules are finished in the production facility on a turnkey basis, that is complete with elevations, roof decking, windows and doors, flooring, painted or wallpaper covered walls, tile glazing, as well as furnished with water mixers, bathtubs, wash basins, and even kitchen furniture and built-in wardrobes. The modules are also provided with all necessary internal services and systems: water supply, sewage, electrical, ventilation, air-conditioning, plus the related equipment and fittings.

Volumetric modules have repeatable structural solutions. The process of module fabrication takes place on a production line in the factory. Only building foundations and basements are made on site. Such a high degree of prefabrication enables a quick and simple erection of the building on an earlier made foundation and can be completed within 1-4 weeks. Once erected and connected to the utility networks, the building can be used instantly. Volumetric modules under the Free-Dom system are connected by means of special, multiple-use joints and bolted connectors, thus the building can be disassembled, its modules moved to another place, and erected again. During the design life period of the building that amounts to at least 60 years, such changes can take place many times. However, the economically justified cycle of such changes is 10-20 years. Construction costs are at least 12% lower than a traditional new-build of similar specification, and 20-30% less than equivalent modular systems.

Key information

Number of storeys	4
New-build home

Location of steel solutions

Ceilings
Columns
External wall
Facade
Floor beams
Internal wall
Light steel sections
Roof

Types of steel used in the building

Long carbon steel

Lingham Street, UK