Mace launches next generation construction method 

Mace, the global consultancy and construction firm, has launched a next generation construction method that will transform the way we build in the UK: High Rise Solutions (HRS).

A launch event and live onsite demonstration were held at Get Living’s N06 East Village in Stratford on Thursday 5 December.

The system – an evolution of the thinking behind Mace’s award winning ‘Jump Factory’, used to deliver Get Living’s most recently completed project at Victory Plaza, East Village – combines the latest advances in digital technology with a new offsite manufacturing approach to construct buildings faster, safer and to a consistently higher quality.

Mace Tech is able to reduce the design and construction programmes by 25%, vehicle movements by 40% and waste by 70%. This will ensure clients are able to reduce their finance cost, homes can be delivered quicker and disruption to local communities is minimised.

Following the success of the ‘Jump Factory’, Mace has worked with Australian firm, Hickory, to adapt its building system for construction in the UK. Using parametric modelling tools and artificial intelligence, HRS is able to draw from a catalogue of components to design and manufacture the structure and façade sub-assemblies offsite.

We are converting site activities to an assembly process by installing modules concurrently with bathroom pods, utility cupboards and MEP service modules, to drastically reduce programme times and improve productivity up to six times compared to current industry performance.

Following a pilot of the system trialled at a major London construction project, the HRS system is now being used to construct N06, a build to rent scheme in East Village, the former London 2012 Athletes’ Village, being built by Mace on behalf of Get Living. Split across two towers of 26 and 31 stories, the project will deliver 524 new homes.

Mace Tech will be able to significantly shorten the construction programme by 18 weeks with 20% less workers onsite compared to a traditional building approach. The construction of N06 is well underway with four floors already built across each of the two towers.

The launch of the new HRS system comes as Mace also announces the creation of a new business unit, Mace Tech, that will manage the deployment and delivery of advanced offsite sub-assembly construction methods harnessing the latest technologies.

Mark Reynolds, Chief Executive of Mace, said:

“The launch of Mace Tech marks an important milestone, not only for Mace but for the industry; unless we radically rethink how we build, we will never be able to deliver the housing and infrastructure that is desperately needed across the UK while reducing our carbon footprint.”

“Availability of smart data is essential to radically change our industry. Mace Tech will allow us to harness the latest digital technologies and offsite construction methods to create better buildings. HRS is already helping to deliver housing faster with less waste and reduce carbon emissions. I look forward to working closely with the team to roll it out across our business.”

Rick de Blaby, CEO of Get Living, said:

“Our collaboration with Mace goes back to Victory Plaza, where we launched 480 new homes this summer. N06 is the next part of Get Living’s East Village journey, delivering a further 524 homes and taking us to 2,500 homes to rent in E20.’’

“The industry is changing fast, and Mace is at the forefront when it comes to innovation. As a client we applaud the quality, time and safety advantages Mace is bringing to N06. As we look ahead, more people are renting and with that the demand for better, quality homes is rising. If advances in construction tech can deliver durable, sustainable, high quality buildings more quickly, while reducing disruption for local people, then that’s a win for everyone.”

Shaun Tate, Business Unit Director Mace Tech, said:

“HRS is more than just a new offsite construction method – it is a new digital approach to how we assemble and construct buildings. We interrogated the entire production to delivery cycle, taking inspiration from the auto industry with its integrated production and assembly line, looking at how we can develop smarter and more efficient offsite assembly methods to drive better outcomes.”

“At N06 we can already see the benefits that this method is delivering with just in time delivery and much more streamlined work processes.”

“As part of Mace’s approach to strategic investment in new construction methods, Mace Tech has been established as a vehicle to launch new sub-assembly and offsite methods to the market, including HRS.”