Williams Scotsman and Skanska USA Building Inc., have joined together to provide new sustainable modular offices to construction sites across the nation.
While sustainable business practices have been top of mind for the construction industry for several years, modular space has often been overlooked when it comes to green design. The sustainable units will provide Skanska with an additional tool for lowering the environmental impact of construction.
“Our new sustainable line demonstrates job site innovation and may afford project teams the opportunity to obtain additional innovation and design points, making a higher level of LEED certification achievable,” said Michele Cunningham, VP of marketing and business development for Williams Scotsman.
The companies signed a strategic supplier agreement that affords Skanska’s U.S. operation the opportunity to lease or purchase one of three sustainable mobile office models developed by Williams Scotsman. The sustainable line is comprised of refurbished offices from Williams Scotsman’s existing fleet for the light and mid-green models, complemented by newly constructed units for the dark green option. Williams Scotsman recently supplied light green units to Skanska and its subcontractors on a project site for a technology company. Skanska also sourced mid-green units for jobsites at Virginia Tech University and a large detention center project.
“Improving the sustainability of the temporary space on our jobsites is an important part of Skanska’s overall commitment to green building,” said Elizabeth Heider, SVP of sustainability for Skanska. “The collaboration with Williams Scotsman resulted in an innovative and flexible product portfolio that enables us to reduce our impact regardless of project scope or scale. Together, we were able to prove that we can work green while we build green.”
The three-pronged portfolio provides flexibility for jobsites with different requirements: The light green unit utilizes an existing mobile office retrofitted to include eco-minded elements, such as energy efficient light bulbs, motion sensors, weather stripping, caulk, and programmable thermostats, among others.
The mid-green unit, is based on the same structural framework but includes energy-efficient HVAC units, eco-minded finishes, and other system enhancements.
The dark green concept, includes all the light and mid-green options as well as an eco-minded interior and exterior design and framework. Composting systems and self-sustaining renewable resource systems maximize energy efficiency in the units.
Williams Scotsman collaborated with Hord Coplan Macht, a Baltimore-based architectural design firm to create the sustainable units.
Read more about Williams Scotman's new sustainable product line and BD+C's article on the company's green modular units.
Read more about Skanska’s green building initiatives.