The MOD X Scotland Exchange 2025 immersive learning journey produced in partnership with Built Environment - Smarter Transformation (BE-ST) provided exclusive access to this innovative region of the UK offsite construction (MMC) industry. In addition to key lessons related to ‘appropriate automation’ and ‘open panel vs. closed panel’ systems, additional insights gathered by delegates during our time in Scotland included: 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 – Despite current market conditions and cultural challenges, companies envision closed panel as the future of offsite largely because of a nationwide field construction labor and skills shortage. Closed panel construction enhances the factory scope of work and finish while inherently requiring more factory-based technical skills and training. Initiatives by BE-ST, Edinburgh Napier University, Centre for Net Zero High Density Buildings (CeNZ-HighDB), NMITE Centre for Advanced Timber Technologies (CATT) “Living Lab”, and Centre for Offsite Construction + Innovative Structures (COCIS) are dedicated to driving the transformation of MMC skills development through collaboration with regional academies, colleges, and industry partners to accelerate the deployment of innovative products and technology solutions for scaleable industrialized construction. 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 – Normative housing in Scotland is largely 'missing middle' in scale and almost entirely structural timber. Per the Homes England Timber in Construction Roadmap 2025, 92% of new build homes in Scotland are timber framed (similar to Sweden) compared with only 9% in England, while ~25% of total UK housing starts are timber frame. The timber frame method in Scotland is equivalent to North American light wood frame and nearly 100% factory panelized. 𝗭𝗲𝗿𝗼 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘀 – Scotland has a 2045 net zero carbon target for all new housing and features wood construction as integral to achieving this national objective. Promoting the use of timber to leverage carbon sequestration properties is essential for reducing the construction industry carbon footprint. Per a recent Homes England policy report, at the individual building level, carbon storage is ~50% higher in timber framed homes than in masonry homes and up to 400% higher for larger builders that use engineered timber products (e.g., CLT) vs. concrete. Clearly, the quadruple helix of innovation is alive and well in this innovative nation. 🏴 MOD X | Ryan E. Smith, PhD | Tyler Schmetterer | Ivan Rupnik Robert Hairstans | Stephen Good | Sam Hart | Danielle Miller | Hannah Lloyd | Nicola Barclay | Gavin Johnston | Louise Rogers | Lynsey Brydson | Nicola Young | Ross Muir | Douglas Morrison | Hugo Taillandier | Rebecca Wilson | Caitriona Jordan | Paula Campbell | Kieran Bennis | Matt Stevenson | Dr Mila Duncheva MCIOB | Andrew Livingstone | Kirsty Watson | Gaynor Tennant | Structural Timber Association Ltd | Saint-Gobain Off-Site Solutions
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