Modular Offices
Create high-quality office space with our bespoke modular office buildings. Built using multiple converted shipping containers, they can be configured to suit everything from small offices to large multi-room buildings for commercial, industrial and construction sites.
How Modular Office Buildings Work
Modular office buildings are created by joining two or more converted shipping containers together to form a larger, purpose-built workspace.
Each module is manufactured and fitted out before delivery, then transported to your site and assembled into a complete office building. This allows projects to be completed much faster than traditional construction while still providing a durable, comfortable and fully functional workspace.
You can customise your modular office with features including:
- Insulation for year-round comfort
- Heating and air conditioning
- Full electrical installation and LED lighting
- Open-plan offices, private offices and meeting rooms
- Kitchen and welfare facilities
- Toilets and washrooms
- Windows, personnel doors and security shutters
- Additional modules as your business grows
Why Choose a Modular Office Building From Universal Containers
With over 40 years of experience, Universal Containers designs and builds bespoke modular office buildings that provide the space, flexibility and durability businesses need. Every project is tailored to your requirements and delivered throughout the UK.
Over 40 years of container expertise
Fully bespoke designs
Durable & long-lasting
Everything handled in-house
Should You Choose a Site Office or a Modular Office Building?
Both site offices and modular office buildings provide practical workspace solutions, but they’re designed for different applications. A single-container site office is ideal when you need a compact, portable office that can be delivered and relocated with ease. A modular office building combines multiple shipping containers to create a larger, more permanent workspace with greater flexibility for growing businesses and larger teams.
If you’re looking for a simple office for a construction site or temporary project, a shipping container site office may be the best option. For additional office space, multiple rooms or a long-term headquarters, a modular office building offers far greater scope for customisation and future expansion.
| Site Office | Modular Office Building | |
|---|---|---|
| Best suited for… | Construction sites, temporary offices and smaller teams | Permanent offices, growing businesses and larger workforces |
| Building size | Single converted shipping container | Two or more containers joined together |
| Internal layout | One open workspace with optional partitions | Open-plan offices, private offices, meeting rooms, kitchens and welfare facilities |
| Expansion | Limited | Easily expanded by adding additional modules |
| Installation | Quick delivery and installation | Fast off-site construction with on-site assembly |
| Mobility | Easy to relocate between sites | Can be relocated but typically intended for longer-term use |
| Typical applications | Site offices, project offices and temporary workspaces | Head offices, business premises, education, industrial and commercial facilities |
Looking for a compact office instead?
Browse our Shipping Container Offices for portable, single-container office solutions ideal for construction sites and temporary projects.
View Container OfficesFrequently Asked Questions
What is a modular office building?
A modular office building is a larger office created by joining two or more converted shipping containers together. Unlike a single-container office, modular buildings provide significantly more floor space and can be configured with multiple rooms, open-plan offices, meeting rooms, kitchens and welfare facilities.
What are the advantages of a modular office building?
Modular office buildings offer a faster alternative to traditional construction while providing flexible layouts and room for future expansion. They can be customised to suit your business, installed with minimal site disruption and expanded later by adding additional modules if your workspace requirements change.
Can modular office buildings be customised?
Yes. Every modular office building is designed to suit your requirements. We can incorporate features such as insulation, electrics, heating, air conditioning, kitchens, toilets, meeting rooms, welfare facilities, security shutters and bespoke internal layouts.
Can modular office buildings have more than one floor?
Yes. Multiple shipping containers can be stacked to create two or even three-storey office buildings, allowing you to maximise floor space without increasing the building’s footprint.
How long does it take to install a modular office building?
Installation times vary depending on the size and complexity of the project. Because much of the construction and fit-out is completed before delivery, on-site installation is typically much quicker than traditional building methods. We’ll provide an estimated lead time as part of your quotation.
Are modular office buildings suitable for permanent use?
Yes. Modular office buildings are designed for both temporary and permanent applications. Constructed from durable steel shipping containers and fitted with insulation, heating and electrical systems, they provide comfortable workspaces that can be used all year round.
What’s the difference between a modular office building and a site office?
A site office is typically a single converted shipping container designed for temporary use on construction sites. A modular office building combines multiple containers to create a larger workspace with greater flexibility, making it better suited to growing businesses, commercial premises and long-term office accommodation.
How much does a modular office building cost?
The cost depends on the size of the building, the number of container modules, the internal layout and the level of fit-out required. As every project is bespoke, we’ll provide a tailored quotation based on your specific requirements
Can modular office buildings be relocated?
Usually yes. Although modular office buildings are often installed for long-term use, they can often be dismantled, transported and reassembled at another location if required. The ease of relocation depends on the size and configuration of the building.
Our containers in action
See some of the ways our amazing customers are using their containers.
Case StudiesBlackpool Zoo has rehomed a group of rescued Sulcata tortoises, several of them seized by UK customs from smugglers, in a converted 16ft shipping container on its Kidepo Trail.
Case StudiesUniversal Containers was commissioned to design and build a bespoke container gym for Salford City FC, providing players with a dedicated on-site training space.
Case StudiesDespite restricted site access, we delivered a fully insulated, light-filled container office with carefully planned glazing, heating and electrics. The finished space provides a practical, year-round working environment suited for everyday use.
Case StudiesWe built a fully functional compact coffee shop from a shipping container with doors for customer access, a roller shutter for security, a serving hatch, and a small kitchen area complete with water heater and sink.
Case StudiesIn the pursuit of enhancing their museum and workshop facility, the Locomotive Society sought a creative solution to provide a welcoming space for their members, while adhering to the historical aesthetic of their railway centric environment.
Case StudiesUniversal Containers embarked on an exciting project to enhance a garden centre’s retail experience by supplying and customising two shipping container cabins. The goal was to seamlessly link these cabins on-site and transform them into a vibrant and functional gift shop.
Case StudiesA restaurant had been operating successfully for several years. However, due to increasing demand and limited space within the restaurant premises, the owners decided to expand their operations by introducing an outdoor catering unit.
Case StudiesThe local rugby club had been using a small, outdated ticket booth that no longer met their needs. The club’s management sought a more efficient and visually appealing solution that could accommodate their growing fan base.
Case StudiesThe client, an Industrial Chemical Storage Company specialising in chemical production and storage, faced the challenge of storing hazardous chemicals on their premises while adhering to stringent health and safety regulations.
ShippingUniversal Containers take pride in continually pushing the boundaries in product development within the shipping container industry.
These 2 large 32x10ft cabins were built for a British transport company. They requested a large space to act as a welfare facility for drivers and staff in the peak district. Due to the customer’s specific requirements, one unit was not large enough so we suggested 2 units, however floor space was an issue on-siteContinue reading “32ft × 10ft Stacked Cabins”
OfficesThis particular office unit was completed for a North-West-based container hire company.
Custom Built Atex Coshh store for storing gas bottles. This unit was custom built with corrugated steel panels 20ft long x 10ft wide. It had a fully ventilated floor from galvanised steel mesh, as well as 4 aluminium louver vents in the walls. We also fitted galvanised box section racks with chains on to holdContinue reading “20×10 Gas Bottle Store”
Corrugated steel cabin 32ft x 10ft with adjustable jacklegs anti vandal steel personnel door and anti-vandal aluminium sliding windows in steel shutters. Painted externally in non-corrosive container paint in a vibrant red. Internally with walls where lined in a cost-effective melamine faced chipboard and fully insulated throughout in Rockwool. The floor had hard wearing vinylContinue reading “Corrugated 32×10 Office / Store room”
Standard shipping container transformed into a bespoke storage unit. With multiple purposes across many industries. For example, self-storage companies or engineering companies for members of staff to lock tools away when not in use. The unit was split evenly into 8 small rooms approximately 5ftx4ft each by steel partition walls for security. Each room withContinue reading “20ft Multi-Bay Unit”
10ft container conversion for an off-grid company custom built to house a very large generator. The customer wanted a unit with multiple apertures and louver vents to allow for ventilation, they wanted all openings to have cover hoods to help stop water coming in. The Universal CAD team had a meeting with the client toContinue reading “10ft Generator Housing Container”
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