Modular construction firm M-AR's role in Yorkshire retirement scheme

​M-AR used its precision factory processes to build in efficiencies to Housing 21's latest development.

Hull-built modular buildings have been used to complete a cutting edge retirement living scheme.

Housing 21 says its newly finished Patent House and Patent Walk scheme in Doncaster is the UK's largest net zero volumetric retirement development. It is the third offsite build for the extra care and retirement developer from M-AR's Hull factory.

Tony Tench, deputy chief executive at Housing 21, said: "This has been an incredibly exciting project for us to deliver. We had a very clear objective for developing this scheme. Not only did we want to provide an entirely affordable Retirement Living complex, but we wanted to ensure it could achieve net zero in terms of operational carbon so that we can keep energy costs as low as possible for our future residents.

"While we look forward to welcoming our new residents, we are already looking ahead and have put in place a year-long programme to accurately monitor the energy use of these new homes. This will be reviewed alongside another traditionally built scheme, so we can capture data that will further shape net zero homes of the future.”

M-AR used circular economy principles to ensure waste generated on the production line was either recycled or reused. The module frames were made from volumetric lightweight steel which can be recycled at the end of the building's life.

Ryan Geldard, director at M-AR, added: “We’re passionate about the benefits of offsite construction from an environmental, cost and efficiency perspective and this scheme ticks all these boxes. Working closely with partners like Housing 21 who take a visionary approach to delivery is really important as it allows us to collaboratively unlock the potential of offsite.

"Patent Walk and Patent House are genuinely affordable, energy efficient homes for residents to enjoy today and the research being undertaken here could ultimately shape how we build energy efficient homes in the future. We’re proud to have played our part in building tomorrow’s homes today together with Housing 21."

Deputy mayor and cabinet member for Housing and Business, Coun Glyn Jones, said: "Affordable, energy efficient housing is a high priority for Doncaster, and I am delighted to welcome this exciting project. I hope that those who are moving into this setting thoroughly enjoy the facilities on offer and I want to thank the team at Housing 21 for their efforts in seeing this project through to this exciting stage."

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Written by Tom Keighley at Business Live