Urban developer Starship Group has teamed up with Liverpool John Moores University to pioneer new advances in modular construction.
Modular construction is an off-site construction method where large parts of a building are factory-made before being transported to the site for assembly.
With housebuilding at the top of the UK government agenda, modular housing could have a big role to play as it is high quality and often quicker and more environmentally-friendly.
LJMU’s School of Civil Engineering and Built Environment is collaborating with Starship on a project funded through the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF).
Two research engineers are spending five months helping to optimise the structural system and improving the environmental performance of developments, including social housing.
A specialist low carbon developer, Starship, has recently developed one of the largest modular carbon zero housing developments in the North West – the Greenleas project with Onward Homes, and supported by Homes England and the Liverpool City Region Brownfield Land Fund.
Dr Michaela Gkantou, Reader in Structural Engineering recently visited the company and construction sites alongside LJMU academic and research staff with an interest in the topic.
She said: “This is a great opportunity to apply our expert knowledge in structural engineering to further innovation with a leading company, many of whose projects are dedicated to social housing and are making a significant impact in the community.”
“The collaboration aligns perfectly with our agenda of innovation, sustainability, and social value.”
– The Research Assistants placed with Starship from CEBE are: Farhan Ahmed, a PhD student focusing on modular steel structures, and Deelaram Nangir, an MSc researcher in Water, Energy, and Environmental Engineering.
The LJMU modular engineering team also staff from the School of Civil Engineering and Built Environment, namely Dr Georgios Nikitas, Dr Maria Ferentinou, Professor Ana Brás, Professor Mike Riley, and Lesley Lambert, Manager of the Low Carbon Eco-Innovatory.
