Improving construction
Our approach to designing buildings is always to maximise the potential of standard components to bring the cost of the construction down. The greater the use of standardised components there is in a building, the more its construction lends itself to pre-fabrication and off-site assembly.
Office buildings are well-suited to construction using ‘modern methods of construction’ (MMC). The majority of the space and the structure that contains it is relatively homogenous and those elements which serve the office space itself – washrooms, lift cores, means of escape, are themselves elements that are repetitive.
The use of MMC enables a building to be well-planned in advance – virtually constructed – so that time on site is minimised and the actual process of construction can be made much safer and more predictable.
Modular escape stairs installed early in the process can remove the need for ladders while unitised cladding systems will remove the need for scaffolding. Pre-cast floor components can have edge protection installed on the ground prior to lifting. Pre-fabricated plant rooms can help reduced accidents because of safer lifting techniques and the reduction of time on site and working height.