HOUSEBUILDER Taylor Wimpey has launched a new pilot scheme aimed at addressing the needs of future generations.
Two prototype homes were recently revealed at the housebuilder’s Dargavel Village development at Bishopston by local MSP and Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Economy and Fair Work, Derek Mackay.
The Renfrewshire North and West MSP was joined by representatives from Taylor Wimpey to launch the prototypes, which are said to be adopting modern build techniques and environmentally friendly technologies.
Part of Taylor Wimpey’s Project 2020 research programme, the homes aim to respond to feedback and gather information about customer needs, including allowing individuals to adapt their homes to their requirements. The homes are also intended to demonstrate greater build efficiency and deliver substantial advances in reducing energy consumption, tacking climate change and addressing customer demands in this area.
Taylor Wimpey launched the Project 2020 design competition in 2016 in partnership with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). The two-stage competition invited architects from around the world to design new house types that were innovative, cost effective, capable of high-quality mass production and would appeal to future customers and their changing needs.
The ‘Infinite House’ by Open Studio Architects was selected from over 100 entries from 14 countries, with the judging panel noting its potential to accommodate multiple configurations to suit different demographics. The ‘Infinite’ house range has been designed to offer expansions in the roofs, larger windows strategically positioned to increase daylight levels, and options to use different materials to fit the exterior of the buildings as required.
The ‘Infinite C’ house type at the Dargavel Village development will be ‘Gold Compliant’, meaning it is ‘significantly’ more advanced than the current 2015 building standards, the housebuilder said. The ‘Infinite C’ has been constructed using closed panel timber frame, incorporating high performance insulation and increased renewable energy technology.
There are nine prototype units in total, which are being built across west Scotland, Manchester and Oxfordshire. Taylor Wimpey’s regional teams will review different build methodologies and new technologies and suitable materials, with each region trialling a different method of construction.
Derek Mackay MSP said, “It is great to see housebuilders looking at how they can deliver for changing customer lifestyles and the environment, adopting the latest technologies from around the world.
“We are all aware of the urgent environmental issues affecting the world we live in, and businesses across Scotland can play a vital role in helping to safeguard it for future generations through the delivery of sustainable solutions.
“Environmental best practice can also bring economic benefits including financial savings, an engaged workforce, positive working culture and improved competitiveness as well as contributing towards a better economy and society as a whole.”
Graeme Oswald, design & planning manager at Taylor Wimpey added, “Project 2020 is about seeking out the most up-to-date research available and building homes to match how our customers want to live, by using innovative construction methods and materials that will deliver the quality they expect.
“These prototypes will prove invaluable in building Taylor Wimpey’s future strategies and ensure the homes that are built for the next generation of customers exceed their expectations, suit their changing lifestyles and meet the highest environmental standards.”
