Words: Helena Morgan

Located at its million square metre facility in Mayfield, Newcastle, Modulate’s relocatable two-storey office complex for InfraBuild is designed for 25 years’ service life and with convenient portability in mind. The 225-square-metre multipurpose office development is drenched in natural light and provides Infrabuild recycling staff with a comfortable and calming workspace. 

Steel’s untapped potential for material circularity 

Infrabuild is Australia’s only fully vertically integrated steel manufacturer specialising in scrap metal recycling, steel manufacturing and downstream distribution. Steel can be harnessed for maximum material circularity and recycled, melted down and transformed into new steel products.

The titan in sustainable steel operates 26 recycling centres in Australia and a handful of centres in Poland and the United States. InfraBuild diverts scrap steel from landfill by giving it a new life as recycled steel products through electric arc furnaces.

Container-based infrastructure comes with longevity 

InfraBuild Recycling’s national project operations manager David Bowden says the team was inspired by Modulate’s commitment to pursue sustainable design solutions with the new multipurpose office space.

The portable office space has an expected lifespan of up to 25 years before recycling and demonstrates the possibilities and potentials of relocatable container-based building technologies.

The office complex has efficient water management through rainwater conservation and adept climate control systems. Additionally, the entire structure can be disassembled and relocated safely.

Comfort, convenience and sustainability requirements addressed 

“We believe the very tough but comfortable relocatable steel building shows what can be achieved within the scope of well-designed container-based steel buildings,” Bowden says. 

Modulate prides itself on remaining adaptive and nimble to the needs of multiple sectors such as mining, energy, infrastructure, construction, government projects, defence, and water and power utilities.

InfraBuild’s new office building comprises eight six-metre by six-metre by 3.5-metre shipping containers and two 12-metre by 2-metre shipping containers that fulfil the design brief of a functional and aesthetically pleasing two-storey office complex.

The complex delivers on key sustainability requirements such as efficient water management through rainwater conservation and adept climate control systems. Additionally, the entire structure can be disassembled and relocated seamlessly and safely.

InfraBuild Recycling staff will delight in other features and amenities such as integrated plumbing services, three external air conditioning units, customisable container widths for space utilisation and a generously stocked kitchen.

Steel modules can deliver thoughtful and compelling design 

Bowden says the functionality and durability of the new portable workspace highlight the rewards of designing with steel modules. 

“It shows what intelligent design can achieve with steel modules,” he says. “This new structure is more versatile, comfortable and stronger than the old portable it replaces.”

Bowden applauds Modulate’s design choice to “build strength” into the structure and arm the building against external knocks and bumps. 

“It can comfortably accommodate crews with all their gear without having to worry too much about damage,” he says. “Even if the exterior of the building got a bump from site machinery, it is built to take the knocks without spilling insulation or fracturing services.”

This article originally appeared on FM.