Archetech Issue 69 2023 | Page 27

ARCHITECTURAL FOCUS
Modular construction promises higher quality construction and can be delivered on-site quickly and affordably .
creating one building for working and another building for living . Imagine a building with a fluid building programme : during the day it is a place of work , in the evening parts of the same building are transported into social spaces for people to mingle and socialise . The same building can be used for community-based activities during the weekends for families with kids and for growing vegetables in the city , all while also being a place to live on the upper floors .
3 . Modular Construction
The use of modular construction has been slow in the UK compared to other European Countries . Modular construction promises higher quality construction and can be delivered on-site quickly and affordably . Modular construction consists of separating the building into modular blocks that are constructed in a factory . As these are built in a clear factory environment that is not affected by weather conditions such as rain and below-freezing temperatures , it allows for higher quality construction that can be built quickly . It is transported on site and erected or installed on site with little site work required to complete the project .
4 . Smart-Tech
One way to stand out from the crowd is to incorporate smart-home technology into your next development project . This could include keyless entry , touchscreen controls for managing heating , cooling , lighting and audio in all rooms , and remote monitoring of CCTV and other features when away from home etc . More and more technologies are now integrating with smartphones allowing everyone to easily control and access their properties systems anywhere even if they are on holiday . Modern technology can also allow the monitoring and managing of building energy to ensure the most efficient use of energy and minimisation of waste .
5 . Green spaces
City living lacks interaction with green spaces , in particular , in apartment buildings . This is something that was reinforced during the COVID lockdown in 2020 . Adding green spaces provides colour , ambience and life to a dull place . Green spaces can be incorporated via rooftop gardens , balconies or terraces , internal gardens and vertical green walls and bring an invaluable improvement to living quality .
6 . Flexible Layouts
One of my personal favourite potential elements of a modern project is a flexible layout . A project that introduces open-plan living spaces with flexible layouts , to cater to modern lifestyles , will always be highly sought after and a unique proposition for buyers . These can incorporate ‘ Japanese style ’ sliding
PAGE 27 - ARCHETECH