Michael Swiszczowski explains why Chapman Taylor has embraced modular construction

Associate Director Michael Swiszczowski has written an Insight paper about modular construction, particularly the role it has to play in addressing the UK’s building capacity problem.

Drawing on his experience working on Chapman Taylor’s first off-site volumetric construction project, Holiday Inn Express in Trafford City, as well as his role in developing the company’s trademarked Umbrellahaus® prototype, Michael outlines the various types of modular construction and the benefits offered, in particular, by volumetric modular construction. He discusses the design and development of the Holiday Inn Express project, which was recently shortlisted for “Offsite Project of the Year” at the 2018 Building Awards.

The award-winning, 220-bed Holiday Inn Express, opened in June 2017, is constructed from purpose-built steel shipping containers complete with factory-finished interior fixtures and fittings, all of which were installed before being delivered to site. The scheme uses a bespoke system developed by modular manufacturer, CIMC, which worked closely with the design team, led by Chapman Taylor, to develop a full-scale, brand-compliant prototype for the project before progressing manufacture for the whole scheme.  

The 6,000m² hotel, located next to Manchester’s EventCity venue on a 1.75 acre site, was a joint venture between Topland, Marick and Mill Lane Estates. The hotel, operated by Tower Hotel Management, is the first Holiday Inn Express ‘Generation 4’ in the UK to be built using a ‘modular’ construction process.

Michael also writes about Chapman Taylor’s trademarked Umbrellahaus® modular prototype – a sustainable and affordable off-site housing model which can be constructed at scale and speed to provide much-needed housing for communities within our towns and cities. It has the ability to cater for the needs of both the individual and the community and, importantly, provides the flexibility that is required for the product to evolve and adapt both internally and to its context and local infrastructure.

Chapman Taylor is a keen advocate of the potential benefits of off-site construction to clients and interested parties across all development sectors. We believe that volumetric modular development can save substantial time and money for clients while offering a very high quality of finished building.

To read Michael’s in-depth analysis of the modular process, his paper can be found here.