FAQs

design, specification & sustainability…

  • As architects, we bring a deep understanding of how to design and build high-performing, well-detailed spaces. Our temporary buildings are crafted with the same care and precision as our permanent, mortgageable homes — designed for a lifespan of at least 60 years.

    What sets us apart is the balance we strike: while we prioritise build quality, comfort, and sustainability, we’re careful not to over-engineer or over-design. These buildings are intended as temporary accommodation, and we’ve made sure they’re fit for purpose — robust, practical, and efficient, without unnecessary complexity or cost.

    We rigorously select materials that are not only durable, but also healthy (zero VOCs, vapour-permeable fabrics) and environmentally responsible. Every detail — from insulation to junction design — has been tested and refined to ensure long-term performance and occupant wellbeing.

    There are certainly cheaper options on the market — like portakabins or bunkabins — but we encourage people to compare like for like. If you're looking for a building that genuinely performs and lasts, ours are in a different class.

  • All of our buildings are constructed using a timber frame and are fully insulated with recycled and natural materials. Timber is a regenerative material that stores carbon, which means the majority of each building is carbon negative.

    That said, the overall carbon footprint is still slightly positive, due to the use of materials like aluminium and a small amount of virgin plastic where necessary. To address this, we offset the remaining emissions by planting trees.

    If you'd like more detailed information about our materials or carbon calculations, we’re happy to provide it on request.

  • Yes — we can design our temporary homes to meet the Nationally Described Space Standard (NDSS). For example, we offer bespoke 1-bedroom layouts with an internal floor area of 37m², which meets the NDSS requirements for a 1-person unit with a shower.

    The bedroom in this layout is 10.5m², which also complies with Section 325(2)(b) of the Housing Act 1985. This means the home meets the legal minimum space standard for two adults, which is at least 110 sq. ft (10.3m²) for one of the bedrooms.

    In short, we can tailor our designs to ensure compliance with both modern space standards and statutory housing requirements — even in temporary or relocatable formats.

  • We offer a few different foundation options depending on the type of building and how permanent it needs to be:

    Emergency shelters

    • Mounted on three heavy-duty recycled plastic pallets, strapped to the underside of the floor.

    • These pallets:

      • Protect from surface water (can sit in up to 100mm of water).

      • Make shelters easy to move using a forklift or HIAB crane.

    Modular buildings

    • Installed on steel ground screws supplied by No More Digging.

    • Fast installation — typically done in a day.

    • No need for high-carbon concrete, making it a more sustainable option.

    Permanent structures

    • Can be installed on an insulated, low-carbon concrete slab for long-term use.

    Relocatable accommodation

    • Built on a galvanised steel chassis with removable wheels.

    • Ideal when easy relocation is a priority — wheels can be detached and stored when not needed.

  • Our buildings are constructed to the same high standards as traditional mortgageable homes, using durable materials and robust methods. As a result, they’re designed to last 60 years or more with proper maintenance.

    Even our temporary accommodation units share this same construction quality — the only difference is in how they're installed (e.g. chassis-mounted or demountable foundations), not how they're built. That means you're getting a long-term, reliable structure, whether it's intended as a permanent home or a relocatable unit.

planning permission & other legislation…

  • Local authorities have a legal duty to take reasonable steps to prevent homelessness for any eligible applicant who is threatened with homelessness within 56 days. This duty applies regardless of whether the applicant is in priority need. Prevention efforts may include helping the individual remain in their current home or supporting them to secure suitable alternative accommodation.

    This reflects Section 195 of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, which introduced the prevention duty as a key part of the government's strategy to reduce homelessness.

  • The short answer is probably yes, but there are some important nuances depending on exactly what the shelter is, how long it would stay, and where it’s located:

    • Development, which includes building structures or changing the use of land, usually requires planning permission under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

    • Pavements are typically considered part of the highway (even though owned by the council), and any obstruction or occupation of the highway usually needs both planning permission and a separate highway licence (from the Highways Authority — often the same council).

    • Even councils need to get permission unless a special exemption applies (e.g., emergency powers or permitted development rights).

    Possible exceptions:

    • Temporary structures for emergencies sometimes don't require permission if they are genuinely temporary (typically under 28 days) — under Part 4, Class A of the GPDO (General Permitted Development Order 2015).

    • But on a pavement, there are extra layers: even a short-term structure could cause obstruction issues under the Highways Act 1980, meaning it could still be illegal without additional consents.

    Bottom line:

    • If it’s just for a few days (like emergency cold weather shelters), it might get by under temporary use allowances.

    • If it’s longer, or any sort of semi-permanent structure (like a pod or cabin), it would almost certainly need planning permission and a highways licence.

    • Even in an emergency, councils usually seek at least retrospective permission or use their emergency powers carefully.

  • Most of our buildings will require planning permission, particularly if they are intended to remain in place for more than 28 days, as outlined above.

    However, we can assist with this process if needed, working alongside our experienced planning consultants.

    An exception may apply where a small building can be classified as a "caravan" and is sited within the residential curtilage of an existing dwelling. In such cases, it can be used for purposes ancillary to the main house, such as additional living accommodation for family members, but not as a separate, independent dwelling.

    A "caravan" is legally defined as any structure designed or adapted for human habitation which is capable of being moved from one place to another (whether by being towed or transported on a motor vehicle or trailer). To meet this definition, instead of a permanent foundation (like ground screws), we would use a galvanised steel chassis with axles and wheels — although the wheels can be removed and stored discreetly on site.

  • Our buildings will either fully comply with the current Building Regulations or the BS 3632:2023 Residential Home specification.

    For information, the thermal performance of the building fabric is as follows:

    Emergency Shelters

    • U-value (walls & floor): 0.46W/m2K

    • U-value (doors & windows): N/A

    Temporary Accommodation

    • U-value (walls, roof & floor): TBC W/m2K

    • U-value (doors & windows): 1.15 W/m2K

    Sustainable Homes

    • U-value (walls, roof & floor): TBC W/m2K

    • U-value (doors & windows): from 1.15 W/m2K

ordering & manufacture…

  • All of our buildings are manufactured at our small factory in Manchester, where we construct the full panellised system— including wall, floor, and roof panels. These can then be delivered and assembled on-site anywhere in the UK.

    For our smaller structures, such as emergency shelters, we can also fully assemble them in the factory, allowing for faster deployment, minimal on-site disruption, and easy transport.

    We carefully source our materials from trusted suppliers across Europe and the UK to ensure quality and performance:

    • Engineered timber – sustainably sourced from Finland

    • Sheet materials – from Ireland

    • Natural insulation – from a specialist manufacturer in Penrith, Cumbria

    • Doors and windows – high-performance units from Denmark

    • Building membranes – advanced systems made in Germany

    This combination of precision manufacturing and high-quality materials helps us deliver buildings that are not only robust and efficient but also sustainably made.

  • Yes — we can arrange for your building to be fully assembled by our team. Alternatively, if you prefer to manage the assembly yourself, we provide comprehensive instructions to guide you through every step of the process.

    All components are delivered directly from our Manchester factory and our trusted suppliers. This helps minimise both transport costs and carbon footprint.

    Typical assembly times (including foundation work) are:

    • Emergency shelters – approx. 1 day

    • Mid-sized pods – around 10 days

    • Larger homes – typically 4 to 6 weeks, depending on complexity and site access

    Whether you choose full assembly or a self-build approach, our system is designed to be efficient, clear, and straightforward to put together.

  • If you're looking to buy a homeless pod, order emergency shelters, or purchase temporary modular accommodation, the first step is to give us a call on 0161 225 4000 — we’ll talk through your requirements and help you choose the most suitable option.

    Once you're happy with the proposal and pricing, placing an order is straightforward, it is typically:

    • 30% deposit to confirm your order

    • 50% payment when production begins

    • Final 20% on completion of the building

    Typical lead times:

    • Emergency shelters – approx. 4 weeks from order

    • Temporary accommodation units or small modular homes – 10 to 12 weeks

    All units are built in our Manchester factory and can be delivered across the UK. If you're unsure what type of shelter or pod is right for your site or budget, we’re happy to advise.

support…

  • Yes — that would be amazing. Supporting our work through your CSR programme is a powerful way to make a real, lasting impact on people experiencing homelessness.

    One of the most effective ways to help is by sponsoring a shelter (or multiple shelters). Through a five-year financing model, the cost works out at just £7 per night — an accessible way for companies and organisations to provide safe, secure accommodation for those who need it most.

    If you already have a location or partner in mind — such as a local homeless charity or council — we’d be glad to work with them. If not, we can help identify a suitable location and connect you with trusted delivery partners.

    We’d also be proud to share the story on our website and social channels, highlighting your support on our Projects page, and celebrating your commitment to social impact and sustainability.

    If you're interested in starting a conversation, just get in touch — we’d love to explore how we can work together.

  • Yes, absolutely — donating land or even offering temporary use of a site is one of the most impactful ways you can support our work.

    We’re always looking for suitable locations to position shelters, whether for short-term emergency use or longer pilot projects. This could be:

    • A piece of vacant land

    • An underused yard or car park

    • A meanwhile space awaiting development

    If you're unsure whether a site is suitable, we’d be happy to assess it with you. We can also handle planning considerations and coordinate with local councils or charities where needed.

    Donating space — even for a limited period — can directly help people off the streets and into safe, secure accommodation.

  • Yes — our shelters and modular buildings are designed with a strong emphasis on low embodied carbon, and we actively work to offset any unavoidable emissions, primarily through tree planting and other nature-based interventions.

    If your organisation is looking to meet carbon reduction targets or Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) obligations (as outlined in the DEFRA BNG framework), we’d be happy to explore how your support could contribute to these aims.

    For example, we can:

    • Plant native trees or support habitat restoration

    • Re-purpose or improve brownfield land

    • Introduce pollinator-friendly planting and green infrastructure

    • Provide carbon footprint data and offset reports for your CSR or ESG reporting

    Whether through funding, land provision, or collaboration, we’re always keen to create partnerships that deliver meaningful social and environmental impact.

  • Absolutely. We’re always keen to hear constructive feedback from anyone who interacts with our temporary shelters or more permanent accommodation — whether you’re a resident, support worker, council partner, or visitor.

    Our aim is to create accommodation that is not only safe and sustainable, but also genuinely useful and respectful to the people it’s designed for. Every suggestion helps us improve — from practical design tweaks to accessibility, comfort, or even where and how the units are deployed.

    If you have thoughts to share, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’d love to hear from you… please contact us here.

please get in touch…

If you’ve got a different question, please give us a call and ask…