50 years of change in the construction industry: a sociologist’s analysis
GSE is celebrating 50 years of projects, people, values and buildings… A lot of buildings! From the first factories to today’s datacentres, from all-concrete structures to low-carbon materials, from XXL warehouses to multistorey facilities, GSE’s projects have reflected and supported the trends in commercial real estate.
To mark this anniversary, Sébastien Bauvet, who holds a PhD in sociology from the School for Advanced Studies in Social Sciences (EHESS) in Paris and is an associate researcher at the Institute for Research on Education (IREDU) of Université Bourgogne Europe, has analysed the connections between the construction of commercial buildings and human activities. Looking back over GSE’s half-century of projects, he examined the evolution of construction and associated technologies, placing people and their lives at the heart of the conversation.
Supporting a sector in its rapid transformation
From the days of the first logistics warehouses – the driving force behind e-commerce – to the current proliferation of datacentres in the face of skyrocketing demand for digital services, buildings reflect contemporary consumption patterns. Although the activities under their roofs may be different, both types of building illustrate an evolution in needs and uses, the ‘invisibilisation’ of human society through digital technology, as well as the internationalisation of flows of data and goods.
The construction of logistics hubs and datacentres – a manifestation of this logistical and digital revolution – is bringing about lasting changes to the landscape and the environment. It is also impacting human relationships, including through the choice of locations within catchment areas, the transformation of professions & activities and the challenges of biodiversity & sustainable development.
Sébastien Bauvet explains: “A facility can be regarded as an ecosystem where people occupy a central role over time and in space – whether in terms of accessibility, movement on the site, or its ergonomic & physical conditions. Decisions on performance criteria should focus more on how people use these spaces – as well as on their aesthetic impact at the local level.”
Bringing together industry, people and the ecosystem
The effect of industrial buildings on regional economies and communities is often underestimated. “Civil engineering must comply with an ever-increasing number of technical and environmental standards and – of course – obey the rule of cost-effectiveness. But, as a consequence, we have people who end up forgetting that industrial constructions are subject to social, symbolic and political perceptions.”
Designed to be functional rather than aesthetic, factories are both economic powerhouses and drivers of social integration – and not just in terms of jobs. They are part of a network of infrastructures and services, help to shape a local environment and affect comfort & quality of life across their entire communities.
Beyond production capacity and economics, the challenges of reindustrialisation are deeply rooted in communities and individuals. Behind every factory lies a social dynamic. “Reindustrialisation therefore brings into play local dynamics that go far beyond mere productive activity,” explains Sébastien Bauvet.
Identifying opportunities, offering solutions
In line with their central role in the economic, social and environmental trends of the 21st century, the study suggests that construction companies adopt a responsible, forward-looking approach. They should facilitate collaboration between all stakeholders – companies, institutions, NGOs and citizens. Incorporating environmental, human and social considerations into project design – such as local cultural specificities and attitudes towards work – will make a site better adapted to societal change, capitalise on positive externalities and contribute to the sustainability of the entire ecosystem – beyond purely financial and regulatory aspects.
When designing a building, there should not be a contradiction between business performance and social & environmental goals. What is needed is a balance between the various forms of performance – economic, regional, environmental and social. In this respect, the general contractor model, by bringing together various areas of expertise under a single responsibility, provides a more favourable framework for making decisions regarding the trade-offs. Initiatives implemented by GSE – such as the use of bio-based materials, the regeneration of brownfield sites and the construction of multistorey buildings – are a concrete and innovative illustration of this.
Sébastien Bauvet’s analysis provides insight for rethinking the buildings of tomorrow with a view to energy efficiency and sustainable innovation. He also invites us to view buildings as living environments rather than mere functional tools – and true sources of pride for those who enter them regularly. This sociological perspective broadens our vision of construction by placing people back at the heart of the matter.
