Design to Value offers unique benefits but can also reveal some uncomfortable truths.. As an example: we were evaluating a brief to build a new carbonated drinks factory in Africa.
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s).- Shortage of construction expertise.
- MEP co-ordination.Conclusions for the industry.Timber is a renewable material that has the potential to help decarbonise new buildings.
However, should the industry move towards using more timber construction, local supply may not be able to meet demand leading to a less sustainable product..The technical difficulties don’t eliminate the use of engineered timber but it’s clear there are many challenges that require more complex integration and technical knowledge than conventional construction systems..
The application of timber is wide reaching from engineered timber solutions to simple uses of lumber in isolated instances.
The right type and application of timber needs to be considered alongside the building typology.But in order to keep fixings and supports to a minimum, fixing requirements for all M&E services are considered in coordination and designed to be shared between modules / equipment.
They are also pre-attached offsite wherever possible, ready to fix to the pre-cast points.. Pre-assembled pipe modules massively reduce the amount of working at height required.Pipework is assembled in its frame off-site.
The frame then serves as its support for transport purposes, and allows for stacking of multiple units.The small number of extra supports required during transportation to avoid damaging of services, are returned to the factory and re-used for subsequent deliveries..
(Editor: Space-Saving Ring Lights)