Two Kier joint ventures, Laing O’Rourke and Bowmer and Kirkland are among the six contractors appointed by the Ministry of Defence to build single-living accommodation for the British army using modern methods of construction.
The contractor ‘alliance’ will run for six years and will construct 16,000 new bed spaces as part of a wider MoD plan to build or refurbish 40,000 single-living accommodation bed spaces over a decade.
Modular construction specialist Reds10 and ExtraSpace Solutions are also part of the alliance.
Reds10 previously used MMC to construct the Imjin Barracks near Innsworth in Gloucestershire. The units for the three-storey building arrived on site up to 90% complete.
A new approach to building barracks
The appointment of the six companies is part of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation’s (DIO) new programmatic approach for single-living accommodation, which aims to improve the delivery of new accommodation through cost-effective solutions.
As part of this approach, DIO (an operating arm of the MoD) created a single-living accommodation library. This provides a common base design with variations and flexibility to adapt according to the needs of the site and its personnel, such as the number of rooms required.
While the design library allows for different construction methods, it prioritises MMC, with new blocks built offsite in sections.
Charlie Hoskins, DIO’s director of major programmes and projects, said: “I am convinced this new alliance using a programmatic approach will be crucial to improve our broader delivery of single-living accommodation.
“These blocks are one of the armed forces facilities we build the most and this approach will ensure we can safely build blocks faster, to a common design ensuring consistency of standards, and drive better value for money. Ultimately, this is about improving the living conditions for our armed forces personnel and every one of our suppliers is motivated by this aim.”
DIO wants to use this new approach for all its projects from 2026.
