The UK housebuilding industry is evolving rapidly, and for builders willing to adapt, the rewards are there for the taking. Jimmy Close, MiTek’s Design Engagement Director, shares how its Optimised Design service is helping housebuilders save time, money, and materials while preparing for the challenges ahead.
What I love most about the UK construction industry is its willingness to embrace change. Unlike some markets where “this is how we’ve always done it” is the mantra, here in the UK and Ireland, we’re constantly looking for ways to build smarter, cleaner, and more efficiently. It’s a necessity, given the challenges we face: a housing crisis, a skills shortage, productivity issues, and the imminent Future Homes Standard (FHS) requirements.
Optimised Design: the key to unlocking efficiency
At MiTek, we’ve discovered that many of the industry’s pain points can be addressed at the design stage. That’s where our Optimised Design Support (ODS) comes in. By reviewing and refining the design of key structural elements—like floor joists, roof trusses, and wall systems—we’re able to make meaningful improvements in efficiency.
But what exactly does ODS involve? Simply put, it’s about having our structural engineering experts review your plans to find better ways to design key floor and roof components. For instance, you might already be using FHS-compliant materials like Posi-Joist— here we will value engineer designs, to lower costs and, when relevant, improve performance.
And the best part? This service is completely free of charge. The process is a collaborative effort, where we provide revised 3D designs alongside the original ones, offering a clear comparison of the potential savings in time, materials, and overall cost.
In fact, the earlier we engage with the project, the more value we add across the full design journey:
- Mechanical, electrical, plumbing, architectural, and structural systems are designed collaboratively
- Comprehensive detailing and framing BIM support identifies and solves problems long before they rear their ugly heads on site
- Digital design and data analysis allows you to make fully-informed decisions on your structural solution options
Real-world results
So far, many of the UK’s major housebuilders have benefited from our Optimised Design Support. The team has developed almost 100 plans for the likes of Redrow, Crest Nicholson, CALA, Taylor Wimpey and Vistry. Take Bellway Homes, for example. On their Barton Quarter development we optimised designs on test sites, set aside for zero-carbon-ready homes, using insights from The Future Home @ Energy House 2.0. The result? A blueprint for roll-out at scale and a finalist spot in the 2024 Building Awards for Digital Excellence and Net Zero.
Leeds-based housebuilders Citu also worked with us on their Climate Innovation District, where sustainability was a top priority. With our help, they took forward-thinking design from the drawing board to the building site, creating homes that are as futureproof as they are innovative.
Tailoring Optimised Design to your project
Experience lets us tailor the ethos behind ODS to any residential project, and scale it to each client’s ambitions. We offer three levels of optimisation:
- Posi-Joist Optimisation – Including framing layout plans, installation details, and alternative system calculations.
- Structural Design Optimisation – Everything from open web optimisation, plus control and innovation BIM models.
- Whole-Home Optimisation – Covering everything from structural elements to HVAC and plumbing layouts.
At each level, we lead with our Design-Make-Build approach, which champions off-site construction methods, which bring a host of benefits: less clutter on-site, safer working conditions, streamlined scheduling, and consistently higher quality components made in controlled factory environments.
Teams on site are quick to tell us how much they appreciate having access to better-quality components. With the FHS on the horizon, trades know they’ll soon be obliged to work with all sorts of technology.
Housebuilders are preparing to integrate advanced technologies like Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) systems. Standard house designs may struggle to accommodate these, but our Optimised Design Support can guide how homes can be constructed so they are ready.
There’s a huge appetite for change in UK housebuilding, and we’re excited to help builders take advantage of that. By rethinking design from the ground up, we’re making it easier to meet the challenges of today—and tomorrow. Optimised Design is all part of our mission to help the industry build better.
Interested in learning more? Let’s talk about how we can help you futureproof your next project.
