British Offsite’s innovative building technology, the UnisystemLB panels, has been introduced in a new housing project in Suffolk.
- These panels are part of a £3.8 million contract for the Tayfen Court residential development.
- UnisystemLB panels can significantly reduce construction time, promising a 30-50% time saving.
- The system offers excellent thermal, acoustic, and fire safety features.
- British Offsite is committed to enhancing the efficiency and quality of modern construction.
In a significant step forward for construction technology, British Offsite’s UnisystemLB panels are being utilised for the first time in a new residential development situated in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. This large-scale project involves a £3.8 million contract with Weston Homes, aimed at developing the Tayfen Court site into 171 homes. The deployment marks a substantial milestone being the initial use of UnisystemLB, a system engineered to accommodate structures up to six storeys, with a finished floor height reaching 18 metres.
The UnisystemLB comprises structurally self-supporting panels that, according to British Offsite, can curtail construction timelines by up to half. These panels, tailored for Weston Homes’ specific requirements, include head shutters, windows, and doors, thus forming the structural core of Tayfen Court. The system integrates both internal and external insulation along with brick tie channels, which collectively ensure airtightness, and superior thermal and acoustic performance alongside solid fire safety measures.
Specifically, the project employs 513 UnipanelLB panels for external walls and 397 UniwallLB panels for internal compartmentalisation, supplemented by the UNifloor system to create a cohesive UnisystemLB formation. The innovation of this load-bearing system negates the necessity for pad foundations and vented voids, opting instead for a ground-bearing slab. This choice enhances both programme efficiency and cost-effectiveness, underscoring the practical benefits of British Offsite’s approach.
Each panel is designed for adaptability, using standard construction materials while adhering to a standardised SFS wall build-up. The design flexibility allows for alterations in structural, thermal, acoustic, and fire requirements to meet specific project demands. With maximum manufacture dimensions of 8.4 metres in width and 3.2 metres in height, the system can accommodate variations while maintaining performance levels.
Further contributing to the Tayfen Court project, British Offsite is supplying an array of prefabricated elements including 225 bathrooms, 146 wardrobe systems, and 146 quartz kitchen worktops. Shaun Weston, managing director of British Offsite, encapsulated the essence of this venture, stating: “We are thrilled to announce that the first UnisystemLB panels have been delivered and installed on-site in Bury St. Edmunds. Tayfen Court showcases the potential of our UnisystemLB technology in delivering high-quality, energy-efficient homes swiftly and reliably.”
The installation of UnisystemLB panels at Tayfen Court signifies a forward-thinking leap in construction efficiency and quality.
