Elements Europe take Ty Unnos to the Royal Welsh Show

A two storey house, built in less than 12 hours, will be on display at the Royal Welsh Show on Monday, July 20, aimed at providing a solution to the affordable housing market.

Elements Europe, the Oswestry based offsite construction experts, partnered with the Shropshire Constructing Excellence Club to build the house in the grounds of Telford College of Art & Technology last month and have now moved the property to the showground.

The two-storey ‘Ty Unnos’ modular building will be open to the public, allowing them to view the fitted kitchen and bathroom.

So-called because of its Welsh timber frame superstructure and the speed of its construction, Ty Unnos literally translates from Welsh as ‘House Overnight’.

Made from low-density timber – usually used for non-structural applications like pallets, packaging and fencing, Ty Unnos is very lightweight and yet exceptionally strong. A unique laminating process and clever beam, column and joist arrangements result in a sturdy, load-bearing structure

The development of Ty Unnos has been funded by the Countryside Council for Wales, Wood Knowledge Wales, a Wales Forest Business Partnership initiative, Environment Agency and Powys County Council.

Ty Unnos Modular, a volumetric housing system based on the original concept, is now being developed by Elements Europe and is expected to be launched to the affordable housing market by the end of this year.

Kevin Arthur of Elements Europe said it would be possible to build a similar house for around £93,000 including land purchase, external treatment and foundation. It would be the full turn key package,” he said

“Ty Unnos is a quality modular alternative which will provide affordable and sustainable homes. The product ticks all the right boxes. It is aimed at the affordable housing market offering the purchaser the highest factory manufactured quality while exceeding the governments parameters for sustainable development”

“Ty Unnos will make a real difference in the provision of affordable properties and the timing could not be better as the property market begins to see signs of improvement.”

View this latest innovation in affordable housing at the Coed Cymru stand (FOR 771) in the Forestry Commission section on the showground.

Kevin Arthur, Ty Unnos Modular project manager and David Jenkins, Coed Cymru’s director, will be available to answer questions during the show.