To prepare itself for its part in the building of 1.5 million new homes, developer Persimmon has built a three-storey test home at its Space4 factory in Castle Bromwich.

The house will also be used for training purposes and be shared with contractors and suppliers.

Innovations

The ‘property’ incorporates a number of innovations including Mauer brick façades, factory fitted to a Space4 timber frame product, which not only improves efficiency, it also significantly reduces the build time.

Its superstructure was fully watertight and completed in five days, compared to eight to ten weeks for a traditional masonry building, with much less reliance on the construction trade.

Inside, each room features a different build stage. There’s a fully-completed living room, but in other rooms, the water and electricity fittings are exposed, as well as thermally efficient wall and roof insulation. Signage provides links to product information, building regulations and Persimmon’s own guidelines.

Our mission is to place efficiency and sustainability at the heart of our business.”

The launch event, hosted by Dave Griffin, Group Build Director at Persimmon Homes, was attended by suppliers and contractors who contributed to the project. Griffin expressed the importance of the model home for the company’s vision.

He said: “We’re really proud to launch our model home to contractors and suppliers and are confident that this will enable Persimmon to be at the forefront of construction innovation.

“With the Government hoping to build 1.5 million homes over the next five years as well as Future Homes Standards being implemented in 2025, our mission to place efficiency and sustainability at the heart of our business is of ever-increasing importance.

“We look forward to seeing our trial home put to good use over the coming year, helping us to achieve our goal of developing sustainable, quality homes for local people.”