Modern Methods of Construction

What we do How we work with you Client outcomes Projects Enablers of MMC What MMC means for you Why choose MMC Contact us Insights

Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) provides a safer, more efficient and sustainable alternative to traditional methods. With digital technologies at the core, it can improve the way we build everything across many sectors including housing schemes, hospitals, bridges and stadiums. Endorsed by the Government’s Construction Playbook, MMC will be critical in the UK’s economic and social recovery.

WSP has been at the leading edge of rethinking offsite construction with integrated digital design delivery coupled with new thinking on new construction technologies for over 20 years. Our MMC Leadership Group have worked closely with government bodies and been at the forefront of the development of industry standards such as the Construction Playbook.

At WSP, we know how to combine imaginative thinking and common-sense solutions to increase value across your project and assets lifecycle.

What MMC can achieve on projects

DELIVERED 10,000 HOMES 30% MORE EFFICIENTLY

Collaborating with Laing O’Rourke

40% DESIGN EFFICIENCY SAVINGS

Automated the production of BIM deliverables for HS2 works

SAVED 10% ON STAFF WEEKLY WORKLOAD

Using a digital platform to simulate the site of the Crossrail programme

£25-50M PER YEAR SAVINGS

Streamlined DMRB standards to deliver savings across all National Highways programmes

DELIVERED A HOSPITAL 4 MONTHS EARLY

3D design and offsite construction increased productivity by 45%

REDUCED WHOLE LIFE CARBON BY 30%

Utilised mass timber to reduce whole life carbon of a distribution centre

what we do

Digital Technologies

Working in 3D design across all stages of the project lifecycle, we use data to develop efficiencies and create insight.

Using the data on projects we can create sophisticated virtual reality sign off processes, produce embodied carbon calculations and set up KPI dashboards to track progress.

Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA)

Working closely with the supply chain, including manufacturers, we create designs that can be easily manufactured in a factory and assembled onsite.

By using a platform approach to standardise components in our designs means we can enhance production and repeatability at scale.

MMC Categories

We have experience across all of the 7 categories defined by MHCLG’s MMC definition framework.

We are at the forefront of research and development of MMC and DfMA systems and have extensive knowledge of MMC and DfMA.

Digital Twins

Using our digital expertise, we can turn our 3D designs into digital twins. A digital twin is a digital representation of your physical asset which uses real-life data to track and manage the performance of your asset and provide user insight.

Digital twins can be used at different stages of a project lifecycle: it can monitor the manufacturing process or can be given at handover to provide a digital legacy of the asset which can then be used during the assets lifetime.

HOW WE WORK WITH YOU ACROSS THE PROJECT LIFECYCLE

client outcomes

Alongside Laing O’Rourke, WSP has developed a configuration tool which enables virtual design and testing for modular bridge components.

Preliminary studies show use of these modular components could save:

25-30% of labour time on site
4 weeks construction programme per bridge
20% of a typical construction programme
5% Carbon reduction for a typical bridge geometry

The Grange University Hospital is Aneurin Bevan University Health Board’s new £350 million, 450-bed, specialist critical care facility in Cwmbran, Wales. The hospital opened four months ahead of schedule in November 2020.

This achievement – a first for a hospital of this size – was the result of the project team committing to a BIM Level 2 digital approach from the outset and maximising offsite construction.

The success of The Grange University Hospital has proven the worth of collaborating in 3D to design, model, coordinate, manufacture offsite, and install building elements.

Projects

The Grange University Hospital

We were at the heart of a digital collaboration that pushed the possibilities of 3D design and off-site construction to deliver the largest capital project in Wales ahead of schedule.

Assessing Greencore's innovative modern method of construction

Our technical assessments helped sustainable housebuilder Greencore Construction (Greencore) to access over £500 million in investment from M&G Investments as it seeks to build more climate-positive homes.

Regent Street Flyover

We are partnering with Balfour Beatty on a complex project for Leeds City Council that will replace a bridge at the busiest junction in Leeds while keeping traffic flowing and unlocking social value for the city.

Enablers of MMC

Continuous Improvement & Lean

Within our Business Management System (BMS) Project Lifecycle at WSP we have an explicit process, CIT007, that aims to engage with the wider client, customer, supplier-partner teams and make sure that through collaboration we are getting the very best outcome. We are certified to ISO44001 and our specialists bring together teams and makes sure that everyone is focused in the same direction.

Digital

To enable Modern methods of construction a more robust level of information management is needed to interact with machines and automate process software. At WSP, we engage with the supply chain at an early stage to create adequate supply chain information requirements based on collaboration and interoperability, aligned with the UK BIM framework for the exchange of information to the right person at the right time.

Supply Chain Management & Logistics

Both are key parts of the of the MMC delivery process and should be meticulously analysed in the project context. This includes market engagement, analysis of supply chain readiness and experience in delivering the type and quantity of products designed. Digital interaction could help to interact with potential contractors and suppliers to test their readiness and experience with similar type of projects and delivering similar types of products.

Why you should care about modern methods of construction

Why choose MMC?

Improve productivity

By moving construction into a controlled offsite manufacturing setting, we can address reliability, quality issues and provide certainty in design programming and cost.

Improve health & safety

Reducing labour time onsite and working in secure, quality-controlled factory settings is known to improve health and safety outcomes.

More sustainable

Offsite improves sustainability credentials by reducing waste and environmental impact due to traffic congestion, noise and air pollution during the construction process.

Provides social value

Training and upskilling the workforce to work with offsite manufactured products provides more secure and attractive job opportunities, generating investment and growth.

Meet our experts who can help you embed modern methods of construction on your project. Their expertise can help you get the best outcomes whether it’s driving efficiencies or creating low carbon designs.