Driven by a desire to make bespoke building accessible anywhere in the UK, father and daughter team Ian Hope and Jennifer Higgins launched The Wee House Company in 2013. The family has a multi-award-winning history in house building, and The Wee House Company is leading the way in modular house building.
Wee Houses are built in modules, completed to ceiling height in the Ayrshire factory before being transported to the plot. Building in a factory reduces waste as offcuts can be reused in other builds. Anything that can't be used is sorted by material; plastic and cardboard are made into recyclable bales, and wood waste is used to heat the factory. From high specification double glazed windows and high thermal insulation to low energy lighting and solar photovoltaic panels, one can be confident in the energy efficiency of the Wee House. The average energy bill for heating, hot water, and electricity in a Wee House is around £1 per day.
Wee Houses are built on blockwork pier foundations rather than strip foundations or concrete pads. This means minimal disturbance to the land and environment around the house. This type of foundation can also be a great advantage on sites with tree preservation orders, as tree roots can be avoided where necessary. Timber from sustainably managed forests with FSC certification is used; 98% of the cardboard waste is sent for recycling. Up to 85% of plastic waste is sent for recycling. Wee Houses have lower thermal transmittance than standard brick houses, so they use less energy and cost less to run. Solar PV panels are included as a renewable energy source.
The construction of new homes can be disruptive to those living and working in the immediate area, but as homes are 95% complete when they leave the factory, disruption is minimized by spending only three weeks on the site. Regular communication is maintained with local residents, and advance notice is given of any works that may cause temporary disruption. Connect Modular, part of The Wee House Group, supplies affordable modular homes to housing associations and developers throughout the UK. The diversity of modular construction means that the design possibilities are limitless, and with modules being 90% complete on arrival on site, fully fitted with kitchens, bathrooms, plumbing, and electrics, it also helps to reduce the carbon footprint. Connect Modular is committed to creating quality homes and inclusive communities for all. With input from councils and housing associations, a range of modular home types has been developed - from 1 bedroom apartments to 4 bedroom detached homes - that are highly energy efficient and fully compliant with 'Housing for Varying Needs'.
Find out more about the finalists for the Helping it Happen Awards 2023