Faster, Safer, Greener: MMC at Manchester Science Park

As part of our work on Greenheys – the UK’s first 100% electric, net zero carbon lab space – Dalkia has delivered a landmark example of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) with the manufacture and installation of the building’s main service risers.

Located at Manchester Science Park and set to complete in 2026, Bruntwood SciTech’s Greenheys development will provide 131,000 sq ft of cutting-edge lab and office space for diagnostics, genomics, biotech and precision medicine – including the future home of UK Biobank.

To support this high-specification environment, our team used MMC techniques to transform what is typically a 26-week, high-risk riser installation into a fully prefabricated solution delivered in just four days on site. The approach removed thousands of hours of site activity per riser, improved safety by eliminating work at height, and created significant programme and carbon savings.

Collaboration was central to success. By involving the full supply chain from the outset and using advanced digital modelling, our in-house BIM team coordinated a seamless design-to-install process. All works were verified through Dalkia’s ‘Golden Thread’ methodology, ensuring transparency and quality at every stage.

This approach not only delivered outstanding technical results, but also embodied our commitment to innovation, safety, and sustainable engineering.

Read more about the Greenheys project here.