BUMA – meeting the challenge
In 2004, we started what is arguably one of the most exciting housing projects in recent years – to build quality, affordable homes very quickly in central London.
The Housing Corporation set the agenda when it challenged the G15 group of housing associations to explore the potential of moveable housing which could take advantage of under-used sites in London and the South East.
At Hyde, we investigated several systems. We found a modular house, based on a system of bolted connections patented by the BUMA company from Krakow, Poland. We worked with PCKO Architects (BUMA’s representative in the UK) to adapt the original BUMA design, making it suitable for the high-density housing market in London and the South East.
BUMA in Britain
It all began with Barling Court, Stockwell. This development of eight flats (4 one-bed and 4 two-bed) for key workers was built in just four days in July 2004. Taking into account site preparation, foundations and landscaping, this amounts to a quarter of the time taken for traditional build homes.
Our second UK BUMA project was completed in June 2005. Corbet House at Wyndham Road, Camberwell, is a development of 18 spacious flats (nine one-bed and nine two-bed) for rent to local key workers. It is a unique, demountable scheme featuring screw pile foundations which can be unscrewed and moved when required.
We have recently completed two more BUMA developments: Lingham Street in Stockwell (Summer 2006) and Tenda Road in Southwark (Autumn 2006).
The challenge is taking on new geography – we are a winner in the Government’s Design for Manufacture competition, and will build 37 BUMA homes at Horns Cross, Dartford.
