Scottish Housing Day 2024

As we celebrate Scottish Housing Day, we focus on the role that our housing plays in facilitating a comfortable and fulfilling life. This year’s theme of “Homes for Life” provokes us to think about how the housing sector can better support people in later life, as needs and priorities change and they advance through different life stages. This is a subject particular relevant in Scotland as our “older” population is increasing faster than in other parts of the UK.  The University of Stirling’s Healthy Ageing in Scotland study projects a staggering 85% increase in those over the age of 75 by 2039.

At Connect Modular, we are committed to creating living spaces that enhance the quality of life for individuals as they age, and we are proud to have been part of two recent diminutive but significant projects with North Ayrshire Council that exemplify this commitment.

With a project in Stevenston and another in the neighbouring towns of Beith and Kilbirnie, we worked closely with North Ayrshire Council to deliver high-quality amenity bungalows, designed specifically to meet the needs of older adults. These projects represent a significant step forward in providing sustainable and supportive housing options for individuals in later life.

Age Scotland’s National Housing Survey 2023 survey found that:

·       37 per cent of respondents didn’t think that their home would be suitable in the next ten years.

·       20 per cent said they needed an adaptation to their home and over half of these had waited more than four months.

Our amenity bungalows are designed to provide comfortable, accessible, and sustainable living spaces for older adults. With a focus on promoting independence and well-being, these homes are equipped with features that anticipate the changing needs and priorities of individuals as they age, ensuring residents can continue to live comfortably and safely within their communities.

One of the remarkable aspects of these developments is the quick delivery of the homes. Through our innovative modular construction approach, we were able to significantly reduce the construction timeline without compromising on the quality of the homes. This not only ensured timely availability of much-needed housing stock but also demonstrated the efficiency and effectiveness of modular construction in meeting tight project schedules.

In addition, both projects presented unique challenges in terms of site constraints. With limited space available, modular construction proved to be the perfect fit for these sites, offering a practical and efficient solution to maximize land usage without compromising on the design or functionality, while ensuring as little disruption as possible to neighbouring residents and businesses.