This module installation, created for the New Homes in New Ways exhibition, showcases how high-quality homes can be rapidly deployed to help tackle the temporary housing crisis.
Designed, constructed, and installed in just 70 days by Wates,Rollalong, and their partners, it’s proof that modular can provide faster, more efficient housing solutions where they’re needed most.
London is at the centre of a national housing emergency. Every day, councils across the city spend over £4 million on temporary accommodation for families in need. Over 117,000 households are living in precarious conditions, with children growing up in uncertainty.
At Wates, we believe there is a better way. A faster way. A more efficient way to deliver high-quality homes to those who need them most. That’s why, in partnership with Rollalong, we set out to prove that modular housing could be a game-changer.
The challenge
What if we could design, build, and install a fully compliant, high-quality home in just 70 days? Not in theory, not in a factory, but in a real-world setting, ready for people to move in.
The idea was sparked in a conversation over coffee. Hugh Jeffery, Regional Development Director at Wates Residential, and Paul Jones, Sales Director at Rollalong, saw an opportunity to take action rather than just talk about solutions. Their goal? To construct a two-bedroom apartment from scratch and install it in central London before the close of the New Homes in New Ways exhibition.
From blueprint to reality
The countdown began. In just over two months, every stage of the project had to be meticulously planned and executed:
Day 1
The concept was born, approvals began being investigated, and the team assembled.
Day 8
Architects from RCKa refined the design, ensuring the layout met London’s stringent space standards while optimising comfort and storage.
Day 25
The steel frame was ordered, locking in lead times before the Christmas break.
Day 50
Manufacturing began, with every component carefully selected for immediate availability to keep the schedule on track.
Day 70
The modules were transported and installed in a matter of hours – no crane required.
The result?
A fully fitted two-bedroom home, complete with a modern kitchen, comfortable living space, and a well-thought-out layout designed for real families. High ceilings, smart storage solutions, and energy-efficient features make this home a dignified and sustainable solution for those in need.
The bigger picture
This isn’t just a one-off demonstration. Modular housing has the potential to transform how we tackle homelessness and the temporary housing crisis. These homes can be deployed on available land, then relocated and reused elsewhere. They are fast, cost-effective, and built to the highest standards.
These homes aren't just about shelter...
Used as meanwhile homes, modular homes provide families with the space to live, grow, and thrive — ensuring that no one is left behind while waiting for permanent housing.
Homes delivered in a fraction of the time compared to traditional methods.
Quality
Precision-engineered in factories, ensuring high standards and reduced waste.
Flexibility
Designed to integrate seamlessly into any community with tailored facades and layouts.
Sustainability
A lower-carbon approach that aligns with Net Zero goals.
New homes, new ways
TheNew Homes in New Ways exhibitionexplores how Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) can play a role in addressing the UK’s housing crisis. With a focus on delivering social rent housing at speed, the exhibition highlights innovative approaches that could help provide safe, secure homes for those who need them most.
Curated by theBuilding Centreand Housing Festival, the exhibition builds on insights from the Social Rent Housing at Pace Playbook (2024)—a report that outlines how the public sector can help unlock new supply chains for factory-built housing, utilise ‘unlikely’ land, and rethink the economics of housing delivery.
The housing crisis...
The UK faces a severe housing shortage, with 120,000 households in temporary accommodation in London alone, including 159,000 children—the equivalent of one child in every classroom. Local authorities are spending £120 million per month to house families, pushing many to the brink of financial collapse. Meanwhile, 90,000 social rent homes are needed every year over the next decade to meet demand—yet in 2020, just 7,500 were built.
Traditional construction methods alone cannot meet this challenge. That’s why we’re reimagining the way homes are built— faster, better, and more sustainably.
At a time when the need for high-quality, affordable homes has never been greater,this exhibition showcases real-world solutions that could make a lasting impact.
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