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Modular Construction: Meeting the Challenge of New Sustainability Regulations

By Actiform in Industry News

The UK construction sector is entering a new era. With government regulations tightening around energy efficiency, ventilation, overheating, and EV infrastructure, all new buildings will soon be required to deliver higher environmental performance. While much of the discussion has centred on housing and the Future Homes Standard, the parallel Future Buildings Standard applies equally to non-domestic buildings, hospitals, defence infrastructure, justice facilities, and staff accommodation.

For these sectors, the stakes are high. Critical services need safe, resilient, and efficient spaces and they need them delivered quickly. That’s where modular construction is uniquely positioned to rise to the challenge.

What’s Changing?

Why Modular Is Ready

  • Building Regulations Updates (2022): Parts L (energy efficiency), F (ventilation), O (overheating) and S (EV infrastructure) were updated as interim steps.
  • Future Buildings Standard (2025): Coming into force in 2025, these standards set far stricter requirements for carbon emissions, energy use, and comfort in all new non-domestic buildings.
  • Net Zero by 2050: Government estates, including the NHS, MOD and MOJ, are under pressure to decarbonise rapidly while still meeting rising demand for services.
  1. Precision in Performance Factory-controlled construction makes it easier to deliver consistent airtightness, insulation, and high-quality building fabric, essential for meeting tougher Part L targets.
  2. Designing for Low Carbon from Day One Modular projects can integrate low-carbon heating systems, renewable energy, and efficient ventilation strategies right at design stage. Standardisation allows repeatable, compliant solutions across multiple sites.
  3. Resilient, Comfortable Environments With overheating (Part O) now a regulated risk, modular’s early design modelling ensures rest spaces, wards, or secure facilities remain safe and comfortable under future climate conditions.
  4. Workforce & Skills Advantage New standards demand new skills, from heat pump installation to digital commissioning. Modular reduces reliance on scarce on-site trades, creating opportunities for training in modern, sustainable methods.
  5. Speed with Compliance For government estates facing both urgent need and strict sustainability targets, modular offers rapid deployment without compromising on environmental standards.

Turning Regulation into Opportunity

These regulations are not just compliance hurdles, they’re opportunities. By embracing modular, organisations can deliver facilities that are:

  • Fit for Net Zero
  • Faster to build and adapt
  • Better for long-term operating costs
  • Aligned with government sustainability goals

The Future Buildings Standard is coming fast. For clients across healthcare, defence, justice, and nuclear, the smartest move is to align with partners who are already delivering to tomorrow’s standards, today.

Final Thought

Sustainability targets are reshaping how we build. Modular construction isn’t just ready for this shift, it’s one of the most effective tools we have to deliver compliant, low-carbon, high-quality spaces for the services that keep the UK running.

How is your organisation preparing for the Future Buildings Standard?