The History of Terrapin

Terrapin has been expanding the potential of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) since 1949. It started with the development of the prefabricated, aluminium framed bungalows that solved the problems of post war housing. The 'folding' building unit concept was evolved along with the associated requirements to produce such units in the factory on a flow-line basis. In the 1950s Terrapin developed the Mark 36, a factory manufactured structure that was a complete classroom building unit. This unit became the classroom of choice for schools during the ‘baby boom’ and, at the height of construction, a Mark 36 unit was leaving the Terrapin factory every 20 minutes.

In the 70s we combined the advantages of new construction technologies with the established strengths of traditional build by introducing a new steel framed, design and build technology. We went on to pioneer revolutionary innovations in design and energy efficiency and, in the 90s, launched a radical modular construction system with a rigid light steel frame for residential and key worker accommodation.

This new technology is at the leading edge of today’s building industry and is being applied by Terrapin in manufacturing the living accommodation modules for the Colchester garrison - at £2bn, the largest PFI project ever undertaken in the UK.

Terrapin has come a very long way in the last 60 years, and today we design, manufacture and construct single and multi-storey buildings in structural developments and complexes for almost any use.