RADIX Screw Piles Support Prefab Modular Chalets
RADIX supplied and installed foundation screw piles for new energy efficient modular chalets at the Double Dykes site in Perth, part of a £6.5 million regeneration project by Perth & Kinross Council. The fast, low-impact foundation system supports structures designed for rapid deployment and long-term resilience. Installed with precision, the screw piles were specified to elevate the chalets above ground level, providing a robust solution in an area close to the river that is susceptible to flooding.
Client:
Ogilvie Construction
Location:
Double Dykes, Perth, Scotland
Project:
20 Modular Homes
Sector:
Bespoke / Custom Modular
OVERVIEW
Supporting Modern Modular Homes with Rapid, Low-Disruption Foundations
As part of a major refurbishment of the Double Dykes residential site for Perth & Kinross Council, RADIX was contracted to deliver ground screw foundations to support a series of new energy-efficient chalets. Working with Ogilvie Construction, the project was delivered in three phases, requiring minimal disruption to existing residents.
Each chalet was precision-positioned on modular foundations using RADIX screw piles, with installation of phase one taking place during winter and fully coordinated to allow swift return of residents within 9–10 weeks. The lightweight, modular design combined with our no-dig solution allowed the project to proceed despite tight timelines and ecological sensitivity due to proximity to the River Almond and local wildlife protections.
SOLUTION
Foundations Installed to Fit Around Lives, Not Disrupt Them
Using two 8-tonne tracked machines, RADIX installed screw piles to support the modular chalets across the site. The piles were embedded beneath shallow aesthetic concrete skims—just 20mm thick—providing a clean finish while bearing no structural load. Unlike traditional foundations, screw piles required no excavation, no setting time, and no heavy-duty equipment access, making them ideal for rapid delivery in a logistically constrained and ecologically sensitive site.
This method allowed Ogilvie to efficiently drop modular units into position with minimal disturbance, delivering high-speed results and offering a clean, reusable substructure base for any future infrastructure or redevelopment needs.
“Using ground screws is a first for us, but after how smoothly this project is going, it’s something we’ll definitely consider in the future.”
SUSTAINABILITY
Reducing Carbon, Protecting the Land, and Supporting a Net-Zero Future
The decision to use ground screws in place of traditional concrete foundations delivered substantial environmental gains. While a thin concrete skim was used for aesthetic and practical housekeeping reasons, the screw pile system eliminated the need for approximately 91 cubic metres of concrete.
This contributed to a carbon footprint reduction of between 15 and 17 tonnes of CO₂e – equivalent to planting over 800 trees. The benefits extend beyond carbon savings, including soil preservation, water retention, and full foundation re-usability. This aligned perfectly with the development’s wider sustainability strategy, which included energy-efficient heating and hot water systems, solar panels, and a long-term goal of net-zero housing performance for residents.
