SFHA members tackle climate change: Hillcrest Homes' modular development

A £13 million development of 119 waterfront apartments at Dundee’s Victoria Dock is currently underway using newly emerging, more sustainable construction methods that drastically reduce construction waste and overall environmental impact.  

The development, by Hillcrest Homes, which is being project-managed by Culross, consists of two blocks of apartments, and utilises a new method of off-site construction which sees modular pods being formed from spools of steel, before being fully fitted out and transported to the site. The modules, constructed by Enevate Homes, arrive pre-fitted with most of the wiring, pipework and interior finishing and are then lifted and fastened into place to create the apartment block. The low-waste method of construction, which sees the modules being produced from start to finish in one location, also offers further environmental benefits such as lower emissions through reduced movement of materials and less demand on raw materials.  

The apartments will also have a range of energy efficiency measures built in to reduce their carbon footprint and tenants’ energy bills. This includes high-performance insulation and cladding that exceeds the Scottish Government's standard as well as smart meters.  

The largest affordable modular development so far in Scotland, one block will consist of 53 apartments for social rent, while the second block of 66 apartments will be for mid-market rent. Completion is expected to be early 2023.  
 
Hillcrest’s Deputy Chief Executive Fiona Morrison said: “Our development at Dundee’s Victoria Dock is hugely special on many levels. Not only is the method of constructing the modules and their application in a real-world project a first for Scotland, but the site’s location in the heart of Dundee’s wider waterfront regeneration adds an extra jewel in the development’s crown.” 

Image: The modular pods under construction in the factory.