The prefabricated pods are craned in to the Manchester site
Manchester-based developer Urban Splash has completed the first phase of its prefabricated home development in New Islington, Manchester. The developer, working with timber specialist Insulshell, has built 43 terraced homes to architect Shed KM’s design.
Marketed as “hoUSe”, the prefabricated concept housing is a joint venture between the architect and the developer. Each house is made up of single-storey “volumetric timber pods” that are constructed in a factory and then delivered to site. These pods are stacked to create either two or three-storey houses.
Each house has a flexible plan and purchasers can choose between a range of internal configurations before they buy. The homes can be arranged with the living spaces on the ground or first floor, and the bedrooms located at either the base or top of the house. Purchasers can also decide how the spaces are divided to determine the number of rooms.
Top: The first phase of 43 terraced homes has been completed in New Islington. Above: There is a variety of internal configurations
Ian Killick, director at Shed KM, said: “This concept has been a long time in the making and we believe that it is a game-changer to tackle the current housing shortage this country is facing. They also happen to be homes that people are proud to live in.”
Phase 2, consisting of 21 homes, of the New Islington development is already on site and a further 171 houses have been granted planning permission on a site in Salford. Urban Splash and Shed KM intend to roll the concept out on further sites across the north of England.
