Commissioned by Ashford Borough Council, Fortis House redefines what’s possible in public housing delivery. Built by Zed Pods on a flood-prone, underused car park in just 13 months, this digitally led, modular scheme brings together zero-carbon performance, social value, and smart urban regeneration.

Speed and Precision on a Complex Site
Set in Flood Zone 3A, Fortis House features 23 high-quality modular homes elevated on a steel podium. Volumetric MMC (PMV 80%) allowed offsite construction to run alongside groundwork, slashing the build time in half compared to traditional methods.

Digitally Enabled Delivery
As the UK’s first local authority scheme to fully adopt BIM Level 3 (ISO 19650-compliant), Fortis House integrates a Golden Thread of Information from design to handover. Over 2,000 hours of training empowered 36 SMEs to engage in digital construction – a breakthrough for local supply chains.

Lasting Social and Environmental Impact
Fortis House goes beyond housing. Fourteen day-release prisoners contributed to construction, earning NVQs, Living Wage pay, and achieving a near-zero reoffending rate. With -3.07 kgCO₂/m² as-built emissions and 1,231 tonnes of CO₂ saved annually, it’s a beacon of climate resilience. Using HM Treasury’s Green Book, the scheme delivered £29.3m in net social value and a 4.95 Benefit/Cost ratio.

Innovative, inclusive, and environmentally sound, Fortis House sets a new national standard for what socially rented homes can and should be.


Social Media channels: LinkedIn: ZED PODS Ltd, Ashford Bourough Council

Credited Organisations: Dragon Heart Homes, AIMIS (BIM Consultant), DHA Planning, Renelec Groundworks Limited