The innovative approach that allows for this cost efficiency is MMC. According to Dixon, "The Quad homes at Hadston have been built by Dunelm Castle Homes in configurations of four homes using modern methods of construction whereby a timber frame and structural insulated panel system, both manufactured off-site in factory conditions to ensure total quality control, is then assembled on-site to provide a contemporary open plan ground-floor layout to match modern living aspirations" (25). This is not to say, of course, that site-built residential and commercial structures are obsolete or will be anytime soon; however, it is to say that modern methods of construction provide a viable and cost-effective alternative to traditional construction methods. In this regard, Dixon advises, "As a company, we will always be building homes in traditional methods, but we are also now in the forefront of the new modern methods of construction which use new technology and new ways of construction to produce high quality homes, usually faster and often cheaper than their traditional counterparts" (25). Also termed "industrialised building," MMC is based on the principle that as much of the work as possible is transferred from the site to the factory leaving only a simple assembly operation to be carried out on site" (Non-traditional housing in the UK -- a brief review 2002, 7).

Three MMC Options

Based on the foregoing, three viable options for the two-dwelling structure using MMC techniques are provided in Table 1 below.

Table 1

Three options for two-dwelling structure using MMC techniques

Option

Description

Closed construction

With closed construction the bulk of the structure is...

Joseph B. Smith, President
Joe B. Smith Construction, Ltd.

London, England EC1Y 8SY

Re: Rationale in Support of Design Element

J. Bentley Builder, President

Architectural Design Specialists, Ltd.

References

Architectural Design Process. 2010. Architypes.net. Retrieved from http://architypes.net/pattern / design-process.

Dixon, J. 2006, October 21. "Quad Gives Taste of the Future." The Journal 25.

Lilley, B. 2007, December 2. "Energy Bills Deal at Eco-Friendly Grange." The Journal 25.

MMC. 2009. Council of Mortgage Lenders. Retrieved from http://www.cml.org.uk/cml/policy / issues/107.

Modern methods of construction. 2010. English Partnerships: The National Regeneration

Agency. Retrieved from http://www.englishpartnerships.co.uk/mmc.htm.

Non-traditional housing in the UK -- a brief review. 2002. Council of Mortgage Lenders.

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