The UK is in a housing crisis with more than one million waiting for a social home*. The government has set a target to build 1.5 million homes in five years, but to deliver this we must innovate.
Piloting a new social housing solution
Midland Heart is one of the largest housing associations in the Midlands, with a remit to build 3,750 new social homes by 2025.
Tony Hopkin, head of development at Midland Heart, said:
“We want to play our part in reducing the housing shortage by building the quality, affordable homes that our region desperately needs.”
Midland Heart worked with contractor TR Partnership Homes to pilot EnveoVent, an innovative new offsite through-wall solution combining five Saint-Gobain brands, in a development of 12 two and three-bedroom homes at Barnesville Close, Birmingham.
Speed, flexibility and safety
EnveoVent was the only solution that allowed the organisation to meet the deadline for the Homes England Affordable Housing Grant.
Lauren Arthur, solutions manager at Saint-Gobain Off-Site Solutions, said:
“While traditional builds take 12-plus weeks to construct a weatherproof shell, with EnveoVent the walls, floors and roof can be erected in as little as six days.
“Barnesville is a tightly pocketed site in a residential area with narrow access roads and a limited construction footprint. Offsite solutions are ideal for smaller parcels of land like this.”
Using an MMC Category 2 panellised system such as EnveoVent also delivers safety benefits, cutting time spent working at height and the number of trades working in one location.
Low-energy, affordable homes
Energy efficient homes are particularly important for Midland Heart, to support residents on low-incomes.
EnveoVent has excellent thermal performance with U-values of 0.16 to 0.13 W/m2K, exceeding the upcoming Future Homes Standard. Trials show homes built with EnveoVent can be heated via air-source heat pump for just £1.84 per day.
Gemma Davey, Midland Heart development manager, added:
“Affordability is about more than just rent—it’s about ensuring homes are energy-efficient and cheaper to run.”