KA218
rooms were shown to be around 10% cheaper on day one, with savings rising to 60% in high-cost cities such as London, Paris and New York. Once change is introduced, the cost
differential increases significantly: • Minor layout changes deliver average savings of 41% across all analysed markets • Major reconfigurations push savings beyond 90%, reaching 150% in premium locations • End-of-lease reinstatement costs for traditional meeting rooms are more than three times higher than modular alternatives The report highlights that meeting rooms
are often treated as permanent elements within buildings that are otherwise expected to accommodate frequent change – creating unnecessary cost, waste and operational disruption. Implications for building owners and operators For estates and facilities teams, the findings point to a growing disconnect between static fit-out approaches and the realities of shorter leases, hybrid working and portfolio churn. “The decision between traditional and modular construction should be viewed as a strategic one,” said Szymon Rychlik, CEO of Mute. “When whole-life cost
and embodied carbon are considered, adaptable room systems can significantly reduce financial risk and environmental impact across global estates.” Industry response The findings were discussed at a panel event hosted by Mute in Clerkenwell, chaired by David Taylor, Editor of New London Architecture Quarterly. Panel members included sustainability, design and delivery specialists from BDG architecture + design and Wates Fit Out. The panel agreed that while modular meeting rooms are not suitable for every scenario, they are increasingly effective when deployed as part of a hybrid strategy combining permanent construction for bespoke spaces with modular solutions where adaptability, speed and circularity are priorities. Practical constraints were also discussed, with panellists noting that successful deployment depends on early coordination with building services, particularly sprinkler systems and air distribution strategies. Supporting lower-carbon fit-out strategies From a sustainability perspective, the study concludes that modular meeting rooms support circular construction principles, reducing demolition waste and retaining embodied carbon across multiple projects. As regulatory and corporate pressure
increases to reduce whole-life carbon in buildings, the report suggests that adaptable interior systems may play a growing role in helping owners and occupiers meet both financial and environmental performance targets.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51
