NEW OFF-SITE CONSTRUCTION METHOD
In price terms , AcerMetric also compares favourably to rivals . Appleford said independent architects set a price for a comparable school building of about £ 2000 per sqm , while AcerMetric ’ s offering came in at £ 1450 , with larger classrooms and corridors than the architect could achieve within its budgets .
He added : “ Even if we were the same or similar price to existing methods , we gain on the cleanliness , the speed , no mess or fuss , no noise . In every single area we are a far superior product .”
With the primary school successfully delivered , Appleford is keen to take advantage of the market to offer schools classroom-by-classroom on a leasing basis : a truly modular approach . Various kits can be supplied , allowing the school to build the best design for the available land . The team aims to standardise on school design based on the knowledge gained from this first build , allowing more options and faster project delivery .
Future Now that the school has given AcerMetric a ‘ visiting card ’, a quality successful build to show potential manufacturers and licensees , the future looks bright .
Appleford said : “ We want to be able to say ‘ here ’ s what our system can do . Do you want to have a submanufacturing license , or a license for installation and building ?’ We can train in the factory and offer an expandable template .”
The development phase is complete , with tourist accommodation buildings in Abu Dhabi and Ghana , as well as an office added to the portfolio . AcerMetric also recently won a contract from a council for an extension on an existing property for an occupant with motor neurone disease .
Importantly , industry feedback has also been excellent . The company ’ s structural engineers have told Appleford they believe AcerMetric to be the only system designed from the outset for mass production , requiring just 41 pieces to produce the panular elements .
Appleford concluded : “ We designed it as if we were making cars , but with less than a tenth of the complexity , and have developed a completely new way of building houses which is very quick , very clean and very energy-efficient : not just when the building is completed , but throughout the process .”
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