AIMC4 objectives

This groundbreaking three and a half year project is worth £6.4m overall, of which £3.2m has been invested by the consortium members and £3.2m funded by the Technology Strategy Board.

Overall project objectives:

  • Design and develop a minimum of 12 homes across the UK that meet consumer needs and deliver to Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4 energy standards, with a fabric-first solution. These will be sold on the open market. 
  • Develop a better understanding of consumer needs and aspirations relating to low energy/carbon homes and their response to a range of technology solutions.
  • Research and develop new design and build processes to drive innovation in the existing supply chain and identify new suppliers. This will accelerate the development of new materials, components and systems, creating a supply chain able to deliver innovative products to support a fabric-first approach in the UK.
  • Use project outcomes at all stages to broaden the wider industry’s knowledge and capability to develop sustainable homes in a more affordable, consumer friendly and efficient manner on a mass scale, to meet government timescales. The work will also focus on skills requirements, market response and global excellence benchmarks.

Further information

Key to the project’s success is engaging both known and new suppliers at all levels. By doing this we can develop a successful formula for building homes, through an energy efficient fabric and building services solution.

Achieving this goal will help the sector meet the government target of zero carbon homes by 2016,  and also reduce costs, create a new UK supply chain, generate new build systems and processes and ensure homes are designed that meet consumer needs.

AIMC4 will evaluate timber frame, masonry and hybrid build systems, with each method thoroughly researched and developed to ensure they meet the overall objectives. The use of offsite manufacture and new onsite assembly processes will also be evaluated.

Several innovative methodologies will be used to achieve the supply chain objectives. For example, supplier sandpits have been developed to find and engage with the most appropriate and innovative suppliers in order to dramatically improve the supply chain network, including cross sector input from other industries. 

3D Intelligent BIM design systems will be used to simplify the design process and apply intelligent design parameters, thus streamlining the whole production process, from beginning to end.

The project will provide valuable insights into the design, construction and performance of the type of buildings needed to meet the 2016 target for zero carbon homes through optimising the fabric of the building, delivering homes that are low energy, affordable and low maintenance.