The company
Urban Splash is widely credited as having pioneered the Manhattan-style loft living of the 90s in Manchester and Liverpool, and has been making waves in the property development world ever since.
As its customer base of young, trendy professionals grew older and started having families, the firm’s clients expressed a desire for affordable, sustainable family homes that could be configured to their personal preferences.
Offsite construction in practice
The Urban Splash House concept was born – a modular housing proposition based on pre-manufacturing techniques – which allows buyers to purchase a base model of a home which is typically 25% bigger than a new build. The home is created offsite, with urban locations selected to create small developments which are completely tailored to meet the needs of its target market.
Urban Splash initially carried out extensive market research and appointed trustworthy, skilled partners in architecture and construction. Liverpool-based architects, shedkm, were appointed to design the concept for House with a basic template model home which buyers could ‘build’ to their own specifications.
On purchase, customers choose from either a 1,000 or 1,500 sq ft base model for House, each offering generous space, high ceilings and large windows as standard. They then decide if they’re a loft liver – in which case their living room will be on the top floor with an exposed pitched roof – or if they prefer garden living, where they can choose a conventional living room on the ground floor which connects with the garden.
The process then asks customers to pick from a series of floor plans as well as add-ons such as size and type of kitchen, floor finishes such as timber or carpet, and extras such as utility rooms and home offices.
The benefits of offsite construction to the House project are numerous – the homes created are affordable, spacious and designed for urban living. The process also offsets many of the challenges faced through urban developments, such as the risk from weather conditions and disruption to local residents and businesses. This controlled, efficient environment means there is no cost variance, meaning whichever part of the country Urban Splash builds in, the construction cost remains the same.
Helping to address the UK housing shortage
House also responds to many of the challenges facing the current property market in the UK, including the significant discrepancy between supply and demand which has driven prices up and has forced many home-owners to compromise on size, location or quality. House is affordable by design – thanks to offsite construction – prices start from £250,000 with many eligible to buy through the Government’s Right to Buy scheme.
By exploiting the opportunities offered by onsite construction, Urban Splash has created a new solution to the housing crisis, where buyers do not have to compromise on style, individuality, price or location. This revolutionary, affordable, modular housing concept makes urban housing viable and gives more people the chance to own an architect-designed, adaptable family home.
Sites
The locations chosen for House have numerous benefits. Rather than choosing rural or suburban spots, Urban Splash has identified urban locations, close to amenities and transport links.
The first site, based in New Islington in Manchester, launched in March 2016. All 43 houses were sold, completed and occupied by October 2016.
A second site was launched at Irwell Riverside in May 2016 and is currently under construction – 72 homes will be built and are already sold out.
At a third site at Smith’s Dock in North Shields, 34 Houses will launch next month (May 2017).
Future sites are being designed ahead of planning submission in Liverpool and Birmingham.
Recognising the role of offsite
House is not only an ethical and sustainable housing proposition, but it also demonstrates high design, quality, and is a successful, profit-making vehicle for Urban Splash. Few other new build solutions meet all these criteria.
House has been received enthusiastically by the housing and design industries, media and customers, and at the highest level of government.
The beauty of the use of offsite construction within the House concept is that it can be recreated anywhere. The limits to its construction are minimal.
By thoroughly understanding what it is the customer wants, without having to compromise, Urban Splash has been able to deliver a new, exciting concept that can be replicated and rolled out across the UK, and potentially beyond.
