Corner Loaded Module

Design Flexibility

Off-site construction pioneer Terrapin has unveiled an innovative modular construction type which increases design flexibility in factory built buildings, and generates substantial cost savings on-site and throughout the life of a building. Terrapins new corner loaded module combines best practice in off-site construction with the flexibility of steel frame building to allow greater freedom of design in an economical and highly efficient building system.

The versatile new Terrapin module offers practical solutions to a wide variety of residential, commercial, educational and healthcare space requirements. Terrapins corner loaded module is a development of all its capabilities in steel structures plus volumetric and panelised (flat pack) systems, producing an intelligent hybrid rich in possibilities. It allows the off-site designer to break out of the box mould, and gives the facility to incorporate modules that are non-rectangular in plan, or have internal atria, or balconies. The system also introduces the possibility of corner-to-corner glazed walls as panel bracing can be engineered into different structural members in the module. This development has the potential to take off-site construction into the premier league of contemporary building design, says Terrapin Director. It means that factory built buildings can be much more visually interesting than in the past, and that they do not have to be box-like inside. We are confident that this hybrid modular approach will become the new standard.

The length of individual corner loaded modules is only restricted by transport limitations on route from factory to site. Modules can be supplied either fully serviced and with watertight exterior cladding and ready to be craned into position, or as flat pack panels which are easily assembled and finished on site. Corner loading reduces groundwork costs, making the system economically attractive from the start and with short lead times in the factory plus rapid completion on-site, the system offers excellent cost-effectiveness over traditional building methods.

Terrapin offers a spectrum of exterior and interior finishes, plus design details of services to give long term cost saving options. For example, modules can be specified with underfloor heating which warms rooms so efficiently that energy requirements and costs are substantially reduced. Modules are proven to exceed the 2010 Building Regulations requirements and have been specifically developed to overcome current modular build issues with cold bridging.