BIOBUILDS Modular
Passive Office
By Andreea M.
Photography & Render by BIOBUILDS
August 14, 2024
When the leadership at VB Assoc. took a hard look at their office, they saw a space that was draining both morale and profits. Stale air left employees yawning by midday, and artificial low light left everyone exhausted by day’s end.
Worse still, an increasing number of sick days hinted at a deeper health concern. Yet traditional construction meant months of renovation, noise, and disruptions that would push everyone to remote work—or worse, risk losing clients.
When the leadership at VB Assoc. took a hard look at their office, they saw a space that was draining both morale and profits. Stale air left employees yawning by midday, and artificial low light left everyone exhausted by day’s end. Worse still, an increasing number of sick days hinted at a deeper health concern. Yet traditional construction meant months of renovation, noise, and disruptions that would push everyone to remote work—or worse, risk losing clients.
That’s when they discovered Biobuilds Modular. At first, the concept seemed almost too ideal: factory-finished modules that could be assembled on-site within days, and a design philosophy aligned with the highest building standards (Passive House). VB Assoc. worried it might be yet another “quick fix” that overpromised and underdelivered. But faced with growing losses in productivity, they decided to try.
Within weeks, a convoy of modules arrived, each precision-built to fit together like puzzle pieces. In a couple of hours, workers guided all of them into place. The scene was surreal—no chaotic demolition, minimal dust, and none of the usual ear-splitting noise. Team members could still manage their daily responsibilities without stepping around construction debris.
Stepping into the new office for the first time, employees noticed a profound difference: the air felt clean, clear, and free of chemical odors. Instead of stale circulation, an advanced MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery) system delivers continuously filtered airflow. In side-by-side tests, this new setup kept CO₂ levels below 600 ppm on busy afternoons, down from the 1,200+ ppm they often saw in the old space. By removing up to 99% of dust and allergens—and filtering out lingering VOCs—VB Assoc. effectively eliminated that mid-afternoon slump. Teams now reported sharper focus, fewer headaches, and a surge in spontaneous collaboration.
The transformation went beyond air quality. Massive triple-glazed windows invited generous sunlight, creating a naturally lit, comfortable environment without the energy penalty. Meanwhile, the hum of city traffic and random sirens faded to a murmur behind robust insulation. Meetings became more engaging simply because no one was battling background noise. By the end of the first quarter in the new space, HR noted a dip in sick days and a marked boost in overall job satisfaction.
All the while, VB Assoc.’s leadership saw operational costs drop—dramatically lower heating and cooling expenses, fewer overhead surprises, and measurable gains in productivity. For a business used to analyzing every line item, those monthly savings were far from trivial.
CO₂ levels reduced from ~1,200 ppm to ~400 ppm
Increase in employee satisfaction based on internal surveys: +23%
Reduced costs: ~90% lower monthly heating/cooling expenses
On-site assembly time: 3 days
Looking back, the team at VB Assoc. would say the modular approach wasn’t just about convenience or even cutting-edge design; it was about embracing a healthier, more human-centered way of working. Instead of stalling their business for half a year, they managed a swift transformation that revitalized both their workspace and their people. And for a company once plagued by stuffy halls and dwindling morale, that’s a change worth celebrating every time they gather in the comfort of their new Passive office.
