CEAMS CASE STUDY VECTOR HOMES

Vector Homes is a sustainable housing company based in Manchester, UK, focused on developing affordable, eco-friendly, and energy-efficient homes using advanced materials and innovative building methods. Founded with the mission to cut complexity, cost, and carbon, Vector Homes aims to create a scalable, standardized housing solution that addresses both the housing shortage and the climate crisis.

Challenge

The housing industry faces two major, interconnected challenges:

  • Housing Shortage – Rising demand for affordable housing is outpacing supply, driving up costs and limiting access to quality homes.

  • Environmental Impact – Traditional construction methods are resource-intensive and contribute significantly to carbon emissions.

Vector Homes recognized that tackling both issues required a fundamental shift in building materials and methods. Their goal was to develop a modular, energy-efficient housing system that reduces environmental impact while being cost-effective and easy to deploy.

Solution

Sustainable Building Process

Vector Homes designed a modular housing system using cutting-edge materials and streamlined construction methods to reduce costs, complexity, and carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to traditional construction.

Advanced Materials

Vector Homes integrates recycled steel and plastics into their building process, enhanced with graphene and other nanomaterials to improve:
Strength – Increased structural integrity
Fire Resistance – Improved safety standards
Soundproofing – Enhanced acoustic performance
Thermal Insulation – Greater energy efficiency and reduced heating costs

 

Strategic Partnership with CPI

Vector Homes sought to expand the use of post-consumer recycled plastics in their construction materials, particularly in thermal insulation foams and non-structural features. The challenge was to enhance the fire retardance and overall performance of these recycled plastics without compromising cost-effectiveness.

Approach

Vector Homes partnered with CPI to:

  • Develop optimized formulations for recycled polymers and proprietary material blends.

  • Design a comprehensive Design of Experiment (DoE) to evaluate the performance of different material compositions.

  • Assess key material properties such as fire resistance, thermal conductivity, and durability.

Outcome

The partnership with CPI enabled Vector Homes to:
Identify the most effective material formulations for fire retardance and insulation.
Improve the cost-performance ratio of recycled plastics.
Create a competitive advantage by becoming one of the first companies to offer sustainable, high-performance building materials.

Results

80% Reduction in carbon emissions compared to traditional construction.
Faster Construction – Modular design reduced building time and labour costs.
Enhanced Material Performance – Recycled plastics with improved fire resistance and insulation properties.
Market Differentiation – Positioned Vector Homes as an industry leader in sustainable housing solutions.

Conclusion

Vector Homes’ innovative approach to sustainable housing demonstrates how strategic partnerships and advanced materials can drive positive change in the housing sector. By combining cutting-edge graphene technology with recycled materials, Vector Homes is setting a new standard for eco-friendly, affordable housing — helping to address both the housing shortage and the climate crisis simultaneously.