Temporary and interim building types
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
While structures such as sheds and warehouses are often thought of as being permanent, there are a number of situations in which a shorter timeframe is required. Whether for a few weeks, months or even a year, a temporary structure may be appropriate instead.
There are a range of circumstances in which a short-term building may better suit project needs.
[edit] Construction site storage
When building a structure, it is important to have somewhere to store construction equipment at night time and on weekends. A temporary building with the following qualities may be suitable:
[edit] Emergency structures
Emergency structures may be necessary if a building has been damaged by fire, floods, storms, vandalism and so on. An interim structure can offer a suitable solution allowing business activities to continue at the same location while repairs are carried out.
[edit] Building expansion
Sometimes the home or office can become too cluttered. Whether belongings have piled up or there is a need to hire more staff, it can be important to find additional space quickly. Erecting a temporary building can be a suitable option as it provides nearby space to accommodate additional needs while a longer-term solution is sought.
These structures can serve a dual purpose, acting as a space for storage or staff while also providing room for builder’s equipment when they are working on new accommodation.
[edit] Events
Lastly, interim structures be used for events, whether for a hall to showcase a range of displays or a warehouse to store food, drinks and other essentials. Events might include; sports, carnivals, agricultural shows, expos, concerts and so on.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Kit house.
- Live event production.
- Modular buildings for education.
- Modular buildings.
- North Middlesex University Hospital Maternity Unit.
- Off-site prefabrication of buildings: A guide to connection choices.
- Prefabrication.
- Temporary.
- The history of fabric structures.
- The myths of modular construction.
- Types of building.
- WikiHouse.
--Smart-Space 03:22, 16 December 2014 (UTC)
Featured articles and news
Plumbing and heating for sustainability in new properties
Technical Engineer runs through changes in regulations, innovations in materials, and product systems.
Awareness of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
What CBAM is and what to do about it.
The new towns and strategic environmental assessments
12 locations of the New Towns Taskforce reduced to 7 within the new towns draft programme and open consultation.
Buildings that changed the future of architecture. Book review.
The Sustainability Pathfinder© Handbook
Built environment agency launches free Pathfinder© tool to help businesses progress sustainability strategies.
Government outcome to the late payment consultation, ECA reacts.
IHBC 2025 Gus Astley Student Award winners
Work on the role of hewing in UK historic conservation a win for Jack Parker of Oxford Brookes University.
Future Homes Building Standards and plug-in solar
Parts F and L amendments, the availability of solar panels and industry responses.
How later living housing can help solve the housing crisis
Unlocking homes, unlocking lives.
Preparing safety case reports for HRBs under the BSA
A new practical guide to preparing structural inputs for safety cases and safety case reports published by IStructE.
Male construction workers and prostate cancer
CIOB and Prostate Cancer UK encourage awareness of prostate cancer risks, and what to do about it.
The changed R&D tax landscape for Architects
Specialist gives a recap on tax changes for Research and Development, via the ACA newsletter.
Structured product data as a competitive advantage
NBS explain why accessible product data that works across digital systems is key.
Welsh retrofit workforce assessment
Welsh Government report confirms Wales faces major electrical skills shortage, warns ECA.
A now architectural practice looks back at its concept project for a sustainable oceanic settlement 25 years on.
Copyright and Artificial Intelligence
Government report and back track on copyright opt out for AI training but no clear preferred alternative as yet.
Embedding AI tools into architectural education
Beyond the render: LMU share how student led research is shaping the future of visualisation workflows.
Why document control still fails UK construction projects
A Chartered Quantity Surveyor explains what needs to change and how.
Inspiration for a new 2026 wave of Irish construction professionals.
New planning reforms and Warm Homes Bill
Take centre stage at UK Construction Week London.