Modulous seeks to partner with developers, public housing providers, architects and construction firms offering them a configurable Kit of Parts to build net-zero modular homes without a factory
Modulous aims to reduce the assessment of the viability of building net-zero modular homes without a factory from weeks to hours with their latest round of Series A fundraising, which has raised £10m.
The funds were raised from investors that include Patrizia-backed Sustainable Future Ventures (SFV) (Germany), Regal London (UK) and CEMEX Ventures (Mexico).
The Modulous software platform automates design, costing and programming
Modulous has created an integrated digital and physical product suite of modular technologies.
This software covers the whole construction cycle, from feasibility right through to delivery on site, more efficient, cost effective, and transparent, as a single digital thread providing end-to-end solutions.
The team that developed the software included experts from the likes of Microsoft, Google, Rolls Royce and Netflix.
The software aims to resolve issues across three key parts of the home building process
The digitisation of design enables the developer to navigate the antiquated planning process more quickly and with substantially less risk.
- • Architecture and design – Modulous’s software generates optimised designs and massing for a site and bases these on its physical Kit of Parts. This not only guarantees the technical feasibility of the design, but also provides accurate costs and programme, all completed in hours rather than weeks of work that may be ultimately cast aside, allowing teams to become more efficient
• Construction – Modulous’s established supply chain partners deliver sub-assemblies to assembly facilities near site, increasing margin, employing local labour, and improving working capital efficiency
• Development – The Modulous platform produces 3D visualisations, detailed cost plans and will provide developers a real time analysis of return-on-investment calculations, enabling them to quickly option sites and establish land values driven by accurate data
The end-to-end platform enables 50% time saving on project delivery, 60% reduction in embodied carbon, and 70% reduction in construction waste.
It will also create a more collaborative process between the planning stakeholders, reducing the chance of the process of net-zero modular homes without a factory becoming adversarial.
Decarbonising the construction industry by building net-zero modular homes without a factory
Mateo Zimmermann, investment manager at CEMEX Ventures, said:
“Precision-engineering homes offsite is an important way to drive up quality, reduce safety problems and cut carbon all at once. Modulous’ “asset-light” approach – that goes direct to suppliers – strips out the need for costly factories, one of the biggest barriers to making offsite manufacturing a mass-market solution. These are universal challenges, and we firmly support the approach of forging partnerships with all relevant stakeholders in the market to solve it together.”
Chris Bone, CEO at Modulous, said:
“Building energy efficient, affordable housing without the waste and carbon footprint that accompanies traditional construction has never been more critical. Modular delivery is really the only way the housing crisis can be resolved, but, for many, the upfront capital investment has held back the industry’s ability to scale.
“We are keen to prove that by collaborating with each other, the industry can move forward with transparency and cost certainty front and centre. That’s why we are delighted to have completed this Series A round in the most testing funding environment for decades.”
