The aircrete offsite solution speeded up construction in this infill site.
Developer and principal contractor, Karm Homes re-developed the site of a previously detached property and large garden in Dorset to build five detached homes using H+H Vertical Wall Panels as part of the I-House system offered by Roofspace. The build introduced Karm Homes to the concept of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) while also providing the familiarity of a traditional building material.
The full I-House system package with Vertical Wall Panels was used for each of the five houses. H+H supply the storey-high panels of aircrete which are used by Roofspace to manufacture the system. Roofspace provide a 3-person team and crane operator to build the whole structural fabric.
One of the key benefits of using H+H Vertical Wall Panels as part of the I-House system is the incredibly quick build time that can be achieved, and this case was no different. Here, the panels and roofs went up in just 10 days per house, leaving a watertight shell for interior work to immediately begin.
As soon as the shell had been completed, work began on the ground floor insulation, underfloor heating and liquid screed, closely followed by the timber studwork for upstairs walls and staircases. While the internal work was happening, the roof was being tiled and the bricklayers put on notice to commence the outside skin.
For Karm Homes, the main attraction of the I-House System was the speed of construction, and the contractor, keen to move to MMC, was comfortable with a method that still uses aircrete as its primary material.
Martin Keenes, Director at Karm Homes, commented: “The I-House system is very impressive. For this project speed was key and I-House delivered. You get the speed of timber construction and the benefits of a traditional masonry build without compromising on quality or performance. This was our first time using I-House and working with Roofspace and H+H and the support we’ve received from Amos and the H+H technical team has been great. Going forward we will definitely be using I-House again where possible.”
Building Solution Manager, Amos Rodrigues remarked: “We see Vertical Wall Panels as being a key element of a package solution for the houses of the future and were delighted that Karm Homes want to use I-House system regularly moving forward.”
The homes are expected to be completed in Summer 2022.