As society continues to evolve and demographics shift, predicting needs for social infrastructure has become increasingly challenging. Municipalities and other providers of social services face mounting pressure to plan for the needs of schools, day-care centres, and care homes, in the face of new industries, lifestyle changes, and other local events. The limitations of permanent buildings to adapt to changing demands have become increasingly apparent, and demolishing and rebuilding are neither sustainable nor efficient. This is why adaptable and flexible building solutions are becoming increasingly crucial to ensure that vital social functions can continue to operate effectively in an ever-changing society. 

Adapteo has developed modular solutions for smart schools and daycare centres to meet these needs. In Finland, Adapteo has been working with the country’s leading experts in the field, having designed modular school buildings that can be used for temporary, long-term, or permanent needs. The architect Joona Heikkilä at the architectural firm Uki Arkkitehdit was ultimately commissioned to design the new flexible buildings, with Reino Tapaninen and Raila Oksanen providing expertise and guidance throughout the process based on their experience of architecture for pedagogical learning. 

 

“In other markets, such as Germany and Denmark, there is a backlog of renovations of old school buildings built around Europe in the 70s that has now reached a breaking point where major renovations, and in some cases even demolition, are a must. In these cases, modular buildings that can be quickly established are a solution. But we also see a growing interest in using modular building technology for more long-term projects,” said Adapteo’s CEO, Johanna Persson. 

 

One of the core pillars of Adapteo’s sustainability strategy is to be an active partner in building inclusive societies. Currently, Adapteo provides 775 schools, 377 daycare centres, and 71 hospitals across Europe, offering a total of 1.4 million square meters of space for learning, care, and accommodation. By working closely with municipalities and other stakeholders, Adapteo is committed to building an adaptable infrastructure that can help societies thrive, even in the face of sudden needs and changes. 

Society must go through immense changes in the years to come. Our industry is no exception, and we intend to lead the way with a circular business model, and sustainable buildings as a solution for both society and the environment. Our ambition is to become one of the most sustainable companies in the industry and take lead in our field.