The 18-unit scheme for the Hyde Housing Association, designed as part of the Government's RAPID programme to develop and demonstrate the innovative demountable method of construction is following an earlier successful completion of a similar (but smaller) building in Barling Court, Stockwell.

The scheme is comprised of one-and two-bedroom flats, built around three independent staircases, designed to modern, high-quality standards. Demountable construction is designed to accommodate any future changes to the urban fabric, therefore addressing the issue of a sustainable urban environment and required flexibility. The development can be dismantled in just 9-10 days and erected at an alternative site, remodelled or recycled, as required. Elevations finished with lightweight metal cladding and insulated render, incorporate full-height glazing and feature sliding shutters of galvanised steel and timber, painted in vivid colours to give the building a unique identity. The building has been designed to include three storeys but can be extended to four storeys by adding additional volumetric components.

lexible joining arrangements between modules make it adaptable to varied site constraints and requirements. The foundations are screw piles that can be removed and re-used elsewhere and the same principles apply to the housing itself. Removal and re-use may be necessary given that the site has only a five-year lease from the Southwark Council.

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	3
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

Wyndham Road, Southwark