Ultra-accurate measurements and budget discipline are among two of the major gains for Warehome since it began working with industrial innovation developer PTC and its Creo 3D software. It is now using this to build homes from scratch.
Regarded as the industry standard, leading aerospace, defence and automotive manufacturers are typical Creo clients.
Moving away from the traditional architectural design programmes three years ago marked a radical step for Warehome, but one that has paid off as the business looks to turnover more than £1million for the first time this year and expand its team of four.
Innovative low-energy building solutions, known as Passivhaus, are its forte, “for residential and commercial clients looking for a property with a difference – homes in tight spaces and rural statement projects. We can go from concept and design to completion”, explains owner Joe Stuart.
A sustainable design graduate, he began the business in 2012 after giving up on rising house prices and building his own home instead on a plot of land costing £73,000.
“We get involved in much greater detail than most architects, we tailor the process to suit individual clients. We are their designer, their voice, their guide and sounding board.
“That is what led to the switch to Creo and leveraging the power of their parametric modelling software,” says Stuart who was introduced to the tech by PTC’s partner, product developer Inneo Solutions which helped embed it.
While it has been a big learning curve, there have been notable rewards regarding the speed to complete projects – five times faster – and control over drawings, Stuart explains.
“You have to drill down to the finer detail so you can add the nuts and bolts into what you show the client, driven by their wants and needs.
“We can do this virtually prior to getting to site, measuring and positioning in the real world within a fraction of a millimetre. This allows certainty, removes any ambiguity or incorrect interpretation by contractors – preventions that can save a lot of money.
“We can overcome the constraints of being a small practice and complete on time and on budget projects like the installation of a parkour and free running course in Abu Dhabi.”
“Creo is already a staple design platform for automotive, aerospace, defence, nuclear and renewables, all sectors that expect the most exacting performance and critical safety,” says Elliot Clarke, UK regional director of Hampshire-based PTC.
“We are thrilled that we are now seeing its collaborative power, accuracy and control utilised in the architectural space and contributing to Warehome’s pursuit of Passivhaus design.”
“The other interesting development is how we were able to work with what was still a start-up at the time and come up with a licensing model that was cost-effective and gave the practice the opportunity to grow into the software,” adds Inneo Solutions’ Marius Stols.
With seven live schemes on the go, clients span from London to the Midlands and Isle of Man drawn by how Warehome challenges convention with sustainable techniques.
As well as thermal energy sourcing there is the materials side with the use of sustainable wood such as versatile Glulam – glued wood laminates that can be stronger than steel, and CLT, cross-laminated timber.
“Every aspect counts down carbon saving design details such as which way the windows face,” adds Stuart who will soon be looking for an angel investor sharing the same values and with lifestyle sector expertise to bolster expansion into the wider property development market.
“We have just only just scratched the surface of what we are capable of with Creo,” he declares. “There is plenty more to come for clients. We create spaces people never want to leave.”
