MMC Standardisation and Kit of Parts

Factory showing manufactured home modules in various stages of completion, produced using a kit of parts approach

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has embarked on a ‘Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) Standardisation Research and Kit of Parts’ project to develop an open-source kit of parts that will encourage the uptake of MMC.

Following through on commitments set out within the Transforming Infrastructure Performance Roadmap to 2030 and Construction Playbook, the project represents a key step by government to translate policy into practice.

Akerlof, a specialist MMC consultancy, has been appointed by DLUHC through competitive tender to lead a consortium of partners, including Buro Happold, HLM Architects and Limberger Associates, that will collectively undertake research and engagement to help shape a strategy that uses standard parts.

The focus of the project will be on MMC Categories 2 (2D primary structural systems) and 5 (non-structural assemblies and sub-assemblies). Extensive consultation with the wider industry and supply chain will ensure the solutions reflect the requirements of the sector and unlock growth within the MMC market.

Commenting on the project, Housing Minister, Rachel Maclean MP, said:

Delivering more, better quality and greener homes is central to our levelling up mission. I encourage all industry partners to engage in this research which will harness the benefits of Modern Methods of Construction, drive up productivity in the sector and help deliver the high-quality homes this country needs.

Jamie Hillier, Partner at Akerlof said:

Akerlof is delighted to be working with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, our consortium partners and the wider industry on this exciting project which will accelerate the move towards MMC within the housing sector. As a business we are committed to driving transformation that leads to a better built environment. We hope that this project will demonstrate the benefits of using common parts to create greater choice across housing and set the direction of travel for the sector.

Gaynor Tennant, Co-Founder and Chair of the Offsite Alliance said:

Standardisation at scale must be built on consensus. We are thrilled to support industry engagement for this project. Bringing together manufacturers, consultants, research and innovation institutes and clients to share ideas, challenges and opportunities for standardisation will ensure solutions focus on interoperability and help to unlock barriers within the market.

Notes to editors:

Akerlof is a specialist MMC consultancy that helps organisations in the built environment to deliver betters, not just goods. Responding to contemporary challenges with creativity and clarity, we work with ambitious leaders in both public and private sectors to offer fresh and objective thinking on how to deliver economic, environmental and social value through Modern Methods of Construction (MMC).

Akerlof is lead partner of the consortium delivering the Modern Methods of Construction Standardisation Research and Kit of Parts project, as well as providing resource and leadership for stakeholder management and communications. The consortium comprises:

The Offsite Alliance is involved as a key stakeholder for the project, which aligns with their mission to work alongside leading organisations, industry bodies, the government, local authorities, housing associations and its members to increase the uptake and delivery of offsite technologies across the construction sector. They co-ordinate and present the views of the Offsite Alliance members, sharing innovation and best practice to drive increased productivity and a more sustainable built environment.

Sign up to be kept informed about the project and open call.

For more information contact Project Director, Tim Limberger, Limberger Associates: Tim@limbergerassociates.com

Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) Standardisation Research project

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What’s with this Lemon?

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Linkedin-in

Jamie Hillier

Partner
Contact
Linkedin Twitter
jamie.hillier@akerlof.co.uk
07791 718 377

With a penchant for tweed and jackets with leather arm patches, Jamie began his career as a quantity surveyor, before climbing the ladder to lead major projects for a Tier 1 contractor.

Eventually expanding his book collection beyond copies of SMM7, Jamie has interest in a broad range of subjects linked to delivering better outcomes for society and the environment.

His strategic insights on MMC and behavioural science have made their way into numerous government, industry and academic publications, including the Construction Playbook, Transforming Infrastructure Performance Roadmap to 2030, the Platform Rulebook and the RIBA DfMA Overlay.

John Handscomb

Partner
Contact
Linkedin Twitter
john.handscomb@akerlof.co.uk
07305 486 581

Construction is in John’s blood. Learning from his father who was a planner and project manager, John began his career by working on some iconic projects in both the public and private sector.

As a procurement expert and integrator of new ways of working, John has pioneered the integration of platform principles, DfMA processes and supply chain within over £5bn projects in the last 15 years, for some of the largest building programmes in the UK. Despite his considerable expertise, John keeps it simple, communicating complicated ideas with ease and helping to equip the industry with new knowledge and skills.

Outside of Akerlof, John enjoys his executive role with technology start-up ScanTech Digital, spending time with his family, taking trips down the football, playing a bit of golf with friends and the odd pint. 

Our name is shared with George Akerlof, a Nobel Prize-winning economist.

His seminal paper, Market for Lemons, demonstrated the devastating consequences of making decisions under the conditions of quality uncertainty and unequal information between buyers and sellers, increasing the chance of buyers ending up with a ‘lemon’.

This 50-year-old concept continues to retain parallels within the construction industry.

Through our insight and experience, we can rebalance this information asymmetry on behalf of our clients, levelling the playing field to deliver better outcomes.