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Contents Abstract Contents Page Chapter 1. 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Literature ...



Contents
Abstract
Contents page
Chapter 1.
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Literature Review:
Chapter 2
2.1 Methodology
2.2. Case Studies
Chapter 3
3.1 Conclusions
3.2 Recommendations for further research
Chapter 4
4.1 References
Chapter 5
5.1 Bibliography
5.2 Appendices

Chapter One
1.1 Introduction
Off-site construction methods, where buildings are pre-fabricated in a factory setting and then transported to site, are already being successfully employed in other parts of the world, such as the EU and America. In England, the last five years has seen an increase in the number of construction companies endorsing off-site methods and an increase in the number of homes which are being built in this way. However, off-site methods are not new to the UK: the post-war housing shortage demanded the construction of new easy to build homes and saw the rapid spread of what is today recognised as the ‘prefab' home of the fifties. With modern day technological developments the modular home - now assembled in factories - presents an attractive, affordable alternative to new build housing - minimising on-site work, and most importantly, saving time. Off-site fabrication of buildings is now widely recognised as an efficient means of erecting high density housing within a small timeframe.For example, several major building contractors - such as Barratt Homes - have invested and merged into off-site manufacturing, and the housing cooperation has received substantial financial incentives from the government in order to invest in off-site building. However, off-site methods have not been widely accepted into the industry and there has so far been limits upon how far these new methods have been allowed to infiltrate the economy. For example, not all companies wish to endorse such radically different methods of construction, preferring to adhere to traditional building methods, and view the change as a potential threat to their workforce.
The Barker Review, a report commissioned by the government highlighted dramatic changes which needed to be made regarding urban planning and funding if the number of homes in the UK could be increased sufficiently to house those in need. The government published a list of targets called The Government's Response to Kate Barker's Review of Housing Supply, published in December 2005, which states the Government's intention to build more homes for future generations by making changes within the planning system and giving more money to housing associations and the housing cooperation.
This paper investigates the potential success of employing off-site modular construction methods to meet the UK's housing needs. Over the last thirty years there has been a steady increase in the number of first time buyers - especially professional couples - and an increase in the number of single person households.


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