DONALDSON INTRODUCES AFFORDABLE HOUSING RANGE

Donaldson Timber Systems, a leading UK offsite timber frame manufacturer, has introduced

a range of house types to meet the demand for cost-effective, sustainable, and Modern Methods of Construction (MMC)-compliant housing solutions.

The Affordable Housing Range offers 16 house types, all designed to meet local housing needs while maintaining delivery efficiency. The portfolio includes one, two, three and four-bedroom homes arranged in terraced, semi-detached and detached formats.

Each architect-designed house type has been developed around Donaldson Timber Systems’ Sigma II closed panel timber frame system, ensuring consistency in performance, manufacture and programme, which is backed by third-party accreditations including BOPAS+, BBA and STA Gold.

As part of the ‘Smarter Inside’ approach, fabric performance is designed and built in, delivering low-energy living, long-term durability and compliance with current and future regulatory standards, including achieving the performance of the Future Homes Standard with no additional works required on site. The housing range also meets and exceeds Homes England’s minimum requirement for a Pre-Manufactured Value (PMV) of 55% using only the timber frame build system; and allows the frames to be windproof and watertight on site in one day.

The specified components use a limited range of window sizes and uniform bathroom and WC setting-out to ensure the efficient procurement of materials from manufacturers, while reducing embodied energy usage through material optimisation and repeatability.

The homes are also land-efficient, with the width of each floorplan reduced to ensure roads, footpaths and services are minimised, and a consistent depth of floorplan enabling seamless terracing and efficient master planning. The result is a flexible, controlled portfolio that can be confidently deployed across arange of development sizes and locations.

While standardisation is key, each home incorporates individual design flexibility to factor in local need, planning context and long-term adaptability, such as identified space for future showers in ground floor bathrooms, additional kitchen storage, and space for air source heat pump hot water cylinders. This ensures Registered Providers retain control over specification and appearance, while futureproofing for simple adaptions to suit lifestyle changes or improved energy efficiency.

The range is supported by architectural drawings and schedules, Revit files, embodied carbon calculations and a PMV assessment. Donaldson is previewing the range to select affordable housing providers and local councils.

John Smith, Technical Director at Donaldson Timber Systems said: “This housing range has been specifically

developed to respond to the pressures facing the affordable housing sector; delivering more affordable homes, faster and at lower cost, without compromising on quality, performance or compliance.

By moving elements of the build into a controlled manufacturing environment, we reduce on-site labour requirements, improve quality consistency and accelerate programme delivery, whileexceeding required standards and delivering quality homes.”