Modular office building
Growing urbanisation, demographic changes, digitalisation,… only a few of the major characteristics impacting our way of life in the globalised world. We live faster and more connected than ever before. What is more, we are facing environmental, educational and ethical challenges, comparable to few instants in the known history. The need to adapt to changes is reflected in societal and personal processes, which also impact the working procedures in companies and in societies at large. Fast-faced rhythms of live, the need to balance work and personal life, as well as demands of employers for more flexibility and availability demand new working modes and high quality solution working spaces. It is inevitable that this will lead to the gradual changes of the working spaces and procedures, as we have known them since the beginning of the modern era with its focus on industrialised processes.
New ways of life impact how we work and where we work
The workforce in industrialised societies is changing and undergoing big breakthroughs. On the one side, there’s the ageing population, which still needs to be kept active due to longer living age. On the other side, we have an increased need for high quality expertize, which often needs to be ensured through importing of knowledge of other parts of the world. The working times are not fixed anymore, and there's increased demand for project-based working, especially among millennials. This age group is also drawn by personal challenges and can not be locked to one space by promises of a secure job. In this way the new ways of living and working direct the need for space and working environment. Trends from the US high quality and high added value industries show that there’s a growing need for modular office building space. The examples of tech giants have shown that the working space needs to be not only modular but also user-centred. This can be achieved through flexible working times, flat hierarchies, teleworking and modular office workstations. Especially working spaces that are modular and can be easily adapted to changes in size and location of the workforce are a high quality solution for any employer looking for flexibility.
Working spaces that evolve with time and space
If sitting at a desk for 8 hours a day way the standard 50 years ago, the working modes have become much more varied with time. Constant availability and digital links are increasingly changing the need to be physically present “in the office” today. Nevertheless, certain types of working procedures and tasks need to be implemented and meetings need to be held for purposes of unity and management. This is where modular office buildings can really provide an environment which will adapt to the changes as the working procedures evolve. The standards of their construction are comparable to the traditional building types, with the added value of modularity, energy-efficiency and high quality materials used for their production. The spaces can be adapted easily and used either for bigger open-space options or host modular office workstations for individual or team work.
Increased flexibility results in cost- efficiency
Not only are demands of the workforce on employers higher in terms of working time and working conditions flexibility. We are also facing a challenge of keeping cost balances in terms ensuring the optimal rate of efficiency while respecting environmental, technological and safety standards. All of these requirements, together with the need to realize management goals, often lead to additional pressures. This is where high quality solutions can make an enormous difference and mark the agile actors in contrast to the non-adaptable ones. Choosing a working space, which is in line with technological advances and innovative, while still meeting all health and safety standards and remaining fire safe, is a challenge that can be met. Another layer of cost-effectiveness is added by using energy-efficient high quality materials. Natural materials are always a preference to be used, due to their pleasant impact on the working atmosphere and positive health effects. The general tendencies of designing living, working and residential spaces go in the direction of bringing in more nature, adding green elements, plants and opening up the limits between the regulated and the natural space. In this way we join the best of the two worlds, and the big barriers between the working and the private lives are blurred, which is also reflected in space. Nevertheless, research shows that working in a pleasant and naturally-designed working spaces can increase efficiency and bring a higher satisfaction at work, even when there's a higher level of demands. In this way society makes a step forward by using the newest technological and research trends in order to adapt the working procedures, in line with environmental standards. A new compromise is created between the stakeholders in society, which is a way forward in implementing new working modes through spaces.
