At Bellway’s award-winning Future Hub, innovative building methods and collaborative design tools are being tested to overcome the practical challenges of low-carbon construction and accelerate the delivery of homes that meet the UK’s upcoming Future Homes Standard
Bellway Homes is leading the way in sustainable housebuilding with its Future Hub at Barton Quarter, Horwich, where pioneering construction methods are being trialled to prepare for the Government’s Future Homes Standard.
Among the construction solutions on display, MiTek’s Posi-Joist is playing a vital role in enabling the integration of modern building technologies into Bellway’s all-electric, low-carbon homes.
The Future Hub, winner of the NextGeneration Initiative’s 2024 Innovation Award, has been designed as an open learning and demonstration centre for Bellway’s teams, subcontractors and the wider industry. The centre shows how future homes will combine low-carbon systems such as air source heat pumps, solar PV, and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR).
However, implementing these modern technologies into conventional house types brings significant design and build challenges, especially in terms of space.
David Arkley, Senior Architectural Technician at Bellway Homes, explained: “We know the technologies work; it’s about how we integrate them. The challenge is fitting new systems seamlessly into a typical-sized home without compromising on design or buildability.”
One critical enabler has been the use of Posi-Joist open web floor joists from MiTek. Their design provides ample room for routing services such as MVHR ducting, plumbing, and electrical wiring, all essential for achieving the performance levels expected under the Future Homes Standard.
Arkley added: “Using Posi-Joist meant we could route extensive ducting and services through the open web joists. It saved the trades a good couple of days during the build.”
MiTek’s Posi-Joist is playing a vital role in enabling the integration of modern building technologies into Bellway’s all-electric, low-carbon homes.
Beyond practical installation benefits, the Posi-Joist system contributes to improved thermal performance and sustainability credentials. Its use alongside triple glazing, underfloor heating and advanced insulation has helped elevate the energy performance of Bellway’s test homes, supporting the drive towards net zero housing.
Digital tools have also been key. MiTek’s PAMIR software enabled Bellway and MiTek to collaboratively develop 3D BIM federated models, preventing clashes during installation and ensuring smooth on-site execution. Jimmy Close, Head of Business Development – Offsite, commented:
“Multiple designs were integrated into a federated BIM model, eliminating the potential for issues during construction. Together, the off-site construction elements and digital design process deliver efficiency gains on site.”
The lessons learned from the Future Hub are already shaping Bellway’s blueprint for delivering low-carbon homes at scale across the UK. As Arkley notes:
“This project proves, in ways you can see and feel, how achievable sustainable construction is at scale. With the Future Hub, we’re sharing critical knowledge to drive positive change across the sector.”
MiTek’s Posi-Joist technology has been widely recognised for enabling future-ready designs, helping housebuilders meet evolving regulations while keeping projects efficient and cost-effective. As the UK edges closer to implementing the Future Homes Standard, solutions like these will be crucial for building homes that are both sustainable and practical for modern living.
For Bellway, the journey with MiTek continues, with plans to roll out insights gained from the Future Hub across future developments, a decisive step towards a net zero housing industry.
