How one UK housebuilder is paving the way with Posi-Joist.
The Future Hub, a series of test homes created by major UK housebuilder Bellway Homes, has become a beacon of innovation and a practical example of how sustainable construction can be both efficient and effective across the UK and beyond.
It’s a collaborative project, which our colleagues at MiTek UK & Ireland are involved in thanks to the integration of MiTek’s Posi-Joist as well as our cutting-edge software. Here’s how our technology is helping to solve challenges on site for the whole supply chain.
Setting a new standard
The Future Hub, based at Bellway Homes’ Barton Quarter Development in Lancashire, England, is at the forefront of modern home design and sets a new standard for energy efficiency in the UK. Its construction serves as a live experiment and training ground for trades and technologies.
MiTek UK & Ireland worked alongside Bellway Homes and Mechanical Ventilation and Heat Recovery (MVHR) specialists Zehnder Climate Systems on one of four test homes at the Future Hub. The project examined how MVHR could be installed to meet and exceed UK Government energy requirements.
David Arkley, Architectural Technician at Bellway Homes, highlighted the importance of the project.
He said: “We know the technologies work; it’s about how we integrate them. How does the air source heat pump work with underfloor heating? But more importantly how does the plumber install these systems seamlessly?”
Overcoming challenges at Barton Quarter
One of the biggest challenges faced at Barton Quarter was the integration of MVHR and services into the house. MiTek offered the ideal solution with Posi-Joist.
David added: “Using Posi-Joist meant we could route approx. 100 metres of 90mm ducting as well as the services through the open web joists. It wouldn’t have been possible otherwise and saved the trades a good couple of days during the build.”
Using MiTek’s industry leading PAMIR software, digital 3D design and collaboration were also used at an unprecedented level at the Future Hub.
Jimmy Close, Head of Business Development for MiTek’s Offsite Solutions, said: “Multiple designs were integrated, and a federated 3D model created, eliminating the potential for issues during construction. The off-site construction elements to the build had a profound impact on the efficiency of the design process, and then construction on-site.”
Lessons learned here will be applied to entire developments across the UK. As these innovations scale up across hundreds of homes, CO2 savings will represent a major, tangible step towards a Net Zero industry.
Jimmy added: “Bellway Homes has a design blueprint for the future that will see houses built more efficiently, predictably, and of better quality for homeowners.”
