Innovation Hub: Timber frame housing construction

Built on more than 25 years’ of MMC experience, The Innovation Hub is the dedicated timber frame manufacturing nucleus, part of the Morro Partnerships family.

Utilising the expertise and knowledge of the team, the 9000-square-foot facility located in Leicester has been engineered for maximum efficiency, achieving 300 to 400 units per year.

A closer look at the innovation hub

What makes Morro Partnership a leading timber frame house builder?

Just-in-time manufacturing

Minimising waste, cost and material degradation.

People-centric automation

Streamline processes for optimum output.

Compact operation

Focusing on efficiency per square foot.

Built on experience

More than two decades of industry knowledge.

"England’s housing market is still behind the curve when it comes to timber frame construction. What we are about at The Innovation Hub is changing preconceptions of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), especially timber manufacturing. Strength, sustainability, quality and thermal resilience are all huge benefits to the end user. Ultimately, it is about encouraging, engaging and coaching the construction industry, exposing the massive benefits that MMC can offer the house builders.

“Timber frame is a huge part of the solution to the future of housebuilding."

What is timber frame construction?

In simple terms, timber frame construction is a building method using a structural frame of timber posts and beams, or prefabricated wall panels, to support a building’s load.

Often pre-built in a factory and then assembled onsite, this framework is often faster to build than traditional methods such as brick or blockwork. Timber is also more energy efficient and is a sustainable building material when sourced responsibly.

What are the benefits of timber constructed homes?

Timber frame house construction accounts for around 23% of new home builds in the UK, with the vast majority of uptake in Scotland sitting around 85% (Structural Timber Association).

While it is not as readily apparent in England, there is a growing demand for the benefits timber frame housebuilders can offer.

Speed and efficiency

As a modern methods of construction (MMC), timber frames can be built offsite and then assembled onsite in significantly less time than it takes to build brick homes. With a government target of 1.5 million new homes by 2029, it is crucial to find ways of speeding up the process.

The pace of timber frame construction can reduce build programmes, support lower labour costs and make projects more economical.

Sustainability

With timber being a renewable resource, it also helps the sector to become more environmentally conscious while aligning with the government’s net zero target of 2050.

In addition, the wood’s low thermal conductivity means timber frames naturally resist heat transfer, reducing heating/cooling needs. This superior thermal performance leads to lower energy bills and reduced reliance on fossil fuels.

Quality and precision

Being constructed offsite means there is a higher level of accuracy and quality control that results in a better standard of home.

They can be fully tested to comply with all regulations, and it minimises the risk of defects to residents.

The construction industry is seeing significant benefits working with mass timber. It’s a sustainable building material that can be prefabricated, requiring fewer workers and less safety concerns.

While the 20th century may have been defined by steel and concrete, in the 21st we must live in greater harmony with nature and create a stronger forestry and timber industry which works together with our planet.

Contact us to learn more about the Innovation Hub

You can email us at enquiries@morropartnerships.co.uk, call 01543 462 468, or fill out the form below.