“The New Homes in New Ways exhibition is an important opportunity to tell the story of how Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) has the potential to help address the UK’s severe shortfall of social rent homes and Temporary Accommodation crisis. I hope that this exhibition acts as a provocation to all of us, to recognise that we need a step change, and that we are collectively responsible for that change.” - Jez Sweetland, Project Director, Housing Festival

Work to turn a council-owned disused garage plot in Bristol into affordable housing thanks to the innovative Gap House concept has reached its final stage of construction.

Jez’s speech at the launch of the New Homes in New Ways exhibition: Mixed emotions for me tonight. It's great to be here, it feels like a party. It's great to be amongst friends and yet, I'm also quite angry. You know, it's hard to be celebrating a story together that actually looks like systemic failure.

Four weeks ago, we were delighted to join a delegation visiting three pioneering new Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) sites in Bristol. As another UK first, we were thrilled to see these homes becoming a reality, and they will soon provide high-quality, low-carbon homes for people in Bristol. 

The first component of the ecosystem solution is building homes in a new way. This will require incubating a new supply chain of factory-manufactured (MMC) homes.

The first component of the ecosystem solution is building homes in a new way. This will require incubating a new supply chain of factory-manufactured (MMC) homes.

The construction industry faces a number of challenges, many associated with the cyclical, volatile and fragmented project-based approach adopted in response to the commercial environment. Global engineering, management and development consulting firm Mott MacDonald outline the case for change in construction, and why building homes in a new way is key.

If we are to truly transform housing delivery, we must look beyond technical solutions and embrace the broader industrialisation of the sector. Here, Ron Lang, Regional Director of AtkinsRéalis, unpacks what industrialisation means for housebuilding, the opportunities and benefits it offers and the critical role of local authorities and housing associations in helping unlock transformation of the sector.

Goscombe is a profit-with-purpose business deeply committed to building homes for good. They have their own MMC manufacturing facilities and a business model intent on balancing meaningful investment in social purpose and fair investor returns. As well as offering homes for sale to housing associations and local authorities they have developed a long-term leasing model for MMC homes.