Flexible building system for a zero carbon building

Connecting energy, construction and intelligent technologies to revolutionise the built environment and shape a sustainable future.

Climate Change Mitigation Advancing Net Zero Solutions Modern Methods of Construction

Problem Addressed

Housing is an environmental and human crisis 鈥� 1.8 billion people globally live in sub-substandard accommodation and 39% of all carbon emissions in the world come from building and construction, according to .

Etopia鈥檚 vision aligns with challenges presented by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 鈥� to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030.聽Etopia believe that true long-term sustainability relies on creating innovative ways we can work with it, rather than against it. They have pioneered 鈥淓co-MMC鈥� in response, to think beyond construction methods to truly optimise how energy, construction, and intelligent technologies (which they call 鈥淓CITech鈥�) can be integrated to ensure our technologies and houses are not only modern today, but for years to come.

Solution Overview

Powered by Etopia takes Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) to the next level 鈥� supplying a flexible building system for a Zero Carbon Building in 3 steps:

Construction聽鈥� Use of a panellised 4Wall system to provide an airtight superstructure.
Energy聽鈥� Renewable technology provides heating and hot water through solar panels to enhance the mechanical electrical and plumbing.
Intelligence聽鈥� An IoT system monitors and controls the heating system, blinds, lights, air conditioning and more.

The average EPC for a completed home is A 鈥� 105/100.聽All homes achieve Edge Accreditation and qualify for ESG funding and exceed the proposed Future Homes Standards from 2025.

Construction

The Hyper-Sip panels or 鈥淪uper Bricks鈥� have been developed by 4Wall and are manufactured at multiple sites in the UK. The聽system is:

Fast 鈥� average house superstructure is up in 5 days
Lightweight 鈥� easy to transport and install
Fire resistant 鈥� 77 minutes and then the test was ended
Load-bearing 鈥� multiple floors can be erected without any additional support
Strong 鈥� each panel has a structural loading strength of 825kn or 80 tonnes
Weatherproof 鈥� the system can be installed in the rain and can withstand winds of up to 472kph or hurricane strength

Etopia can translate any existing design into their panelised system.聽They can work directly with architects to create homes bespoke to an individual鈥檚 vision or brand. Etopia聽partner with Main Contractors who provide all other works on site, such as ground works, infrastructure, and foundations.聽They also install the brick slips and complete the internal fit out of the home and external works and landscaping.

Energy

Etopia鈥檚 partnership with Samsung provides the latest Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) technology and hot water. Their聽homes are hyper efficient meaning they are Net Zero ready.聽Adding solar panels generates the energy the home requires for heating and hot water and helps with other electricity requirements.

Intelligence

Etopia鈥檚 IoT products make smart interiors with self-powered wireless light switches, autonomous blinds and generation sensors controlled by a hub. This technology audits the performance and provides luxury level controls.聽This system is also designed with Samsung, allowing integration into any other existing smart home technology such as Bose, Sonos, Yale, Ring, Nest and more. The sensors are always monitoring the air in the home, alerting the residents to unhealthy particles and pollution, and automatically boosting the MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery) to keep the home healthy.

Etopia want to see tangible progress in how society views sustainability. By building to a green ethos and a high-performance metric, Etopia鈥檚 housing solution is both accessible and scalable. Whether you are building a community, buying a home or upgrading existing infrastructure, Etopia acts as a reflection of your values and a stepping-stone to other environmentally and socially responsible.

Company name

Project Etopia

UK availability

Yes

Solution launch date

2018

Cost Benefit

The cost of Etopia鈥檚 system is comparable to traditional building methodologies. The system replaces block and brick work and gas boilers. Savings are made from smaller, shallower foundations and prelims, because time on site is reduced by a third.聽 Efficiencies are also made on reduction in scaffolding, mortar silos etc that are specific to 4Wall. Etopia work with customers to help them maximise the potential savings that can be achieved through using 4Wall.

Etopia properties also secure Edge Accreditation, which makes them eligible for ESG funding 鈥� saving between 0.2 and 1% on development finance costs. Residents of the home will face lower bills as the super-efficient homes require less heating, which is mostly powered by solar panels.

The increase in costs and availability of materials and labour have had a significant impact on costs for traditional construction. Etopia鈥檚 product significantly reduces the impact of these issues as they do not rely on bricks, blocks or timber.

Case Study

Etopia have their own development company 鈥� Etopia Homes 鈥� whose first scheme at Corby is nearly complete and sold out. They also have a further 3 development sites commencing before the end of March 2022.

The 4Wall system has been used in many bespoke homes for self-build clients.聽Etopia are currently working with Rippon Homes delivering the first development with them at Melton Mowbray of 36 units.聽An example of a SME developer moving to MMC for the first time in their history.

Etopia are also working with large main contractors and developers on several framework applications, large PRS developments and open market schemes.

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