College welcomes Europe’s largest 3D modular homes facility

Modern methods of construction are powering ahead in the UK with a proposed new factory in Northamptonshire – a great link with construction skills training at The Bedford College Group.

The TopHat company has announced a new Northamptonshire site capable of producing “one-house-an-hour”. The state-of-the-art facility will use precision-engineering techniques to create c.4,000 energy-efficient homes a year. The factory will be operational from 2023, creating 1,000 highly skilled jobs.

TopHat’s unique technology platform, advanced robotics and innovative brick facade combine to create endless design possibilities without the high costs and loss of efficiency that are often associated with high levels of variation. TopHat can even offer end-buyers the opportunity to customise their homes through its Homes Configurator, much as they would configure a new car. This variation creates attractive communities where people want to live.

The new Corby facility will be the anchor tenant in the new Magna Park site being developed by GLP, the leading global logistics development manager, as part of a multi-million-pound investment in the site. Construction will begin later in 2022, with the facility expected to be delivering its first homes by the end of 2023.

Jordan Rosenhaus, CEO and Founder of TopHat said: 

“TopHat’s new facility will increase our capacity to over 4,500 homes a year. Our homes are designed to be beautiful and green, being low-carbon to build and much cheaper to run. TopHat is playing a leading role in transforming home building in the UK, improving quality, reducing costs and protecting the environment. We are also delighted to be creating 1,000 new jobs in Corby supported by a major investment in training through the TopHat Academy.” 

Gina Bubbins, Director of Business Development at The Bedford College Group who joined the trip to Derby to view the TopHat premises said:

“We are looking forward to working with TopHat to help them find the best possible staff for their new premises in Corby. Our own Centre for Modern Methods of Construction at Bedford College is already training people in prefabrication and modular building techniques. It’s a great match.”

The Bedford College Group includes Tresham College campuses in Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough, Northants as well as Bedford itself, where the regional Centre for Modern Methods of Construction was officially opened in October 2021.