Municipal Housing Trust

Birmingham City Council has unveiled its first ever modular home. Known as the ‘ModPod’, this concept has been conceived in response to the need for affordable housing in the area and as an efficient way to help the council meet demanding house-building targets, particularly on brownfield sites. Sleeping up to four people, it has everything expected of a modern home, including upstairs and downstairs bathrooms and a master bedroom with balcony. 

Light and airy 

Birmingham City Council has unveiled its first ever modular home. Known as the ‘ModPod’, this concept has been conceived in response to the need for affordable housing in the area and as an efficient way to help the council meet demanding house-building targets, particularly on brownfield sites. Sleeping up to four people, it has everything expected of a modern home, including upstairs and downstairs bathrooms and a master bedroom with balcony. 

Consistent appearance 

Partnering with Kestrel Aluminium Systems, Shelforce, a leading window and door manufacturer based in Erdington, fabricated the windows and doors for the groundbreaking property in Hockley. Kestrel’s 60 mm casement window system was specified thanks to its low U values and compliance with the exacting standards of Approved Document L. To complement the windows, the Kestrel thermal rebate door system was specified, utilising the same profiles and hardware as the windows for a uniform look. All profiles were dual-colour powder-coated to provide a durable and long-lasting finish. 

Pre-fab precision 

Kestrel Aluminium Systems worked closely with Shelforce throughout fabrication to ensure a precision finish. The unit took an hour to crane into place onto a pre-prepared site and was available to occupy the same day. It took around 20 weeks to construct however, on a live production line, the main contractor, Just Solutions Ltd., estimates the build time will be just two weeks.