Chapter 8

Celebrate, resist, move forward: a year to remember.

We began 2020 with a clear idea: we wanted to broaden our creative horizons and take on new challenges. We had been designing our own catalogue of houses for some time, always thinking about what we could build efficiently and with the highest quality. But this time we wanted something different: to open our doors to other architecture and design studios, so that they could contribute their vision and challenge us. This is how the inHAUS By collection was born, a series of homes designed by big names such as Fran Silvestre, Yonoh Estudio and Mario Ruiz. The idea was clear: to let others design without limits and for us to take on the challenge of bringing their ideas to life.

Before officially presenting this collection, we organised a launch event that was undoubtedly one of those parties that leave a lasting impression. And the truth is that the occasion deserved it, for many reasons. In fact, it was a celebration that we had been planning for a long time. On the one hand, we had not yet inaugurated our new factory, and those who know us well know that we never miss an opportunity for a good celebration. On the other hand, we wanted to share a very special milestone with everyone: the presentation of our new house catalogue. A catalogue that was born in 2017 with 70 models and which finally reached our favourite number: 111 catalogue homes. A catalogue that also incorporated an important new feature: the organisation of all the models according to five major architectural styles — five ways of understanding the aesthetics of a home — which helped us to better convey our way of designing and building. We took advantage of this idea to turn the event’s catering into a complete experience: we distributed different food and drink stations throughout the hall, and each station represented one of those five styles, both in its setting and in the food on offer. It was an original and fun way to make our work tangible and connect with attendees through design… and taste!

And, as if that weren’t enough, we also unveiled the inHAUS By collaboration that day. It was very special to bring together so many architecture and design professionals to see the proposals that some of the industry’s leading figures had entrusted to us. They came with models, infographics, plans, ideas… and a great desire to share. Together, we set up a real exhibition inside the factory, which for a few hours became a gallery, a forum for debate, a catwalk and, of course, a dance floor. The event also attracted the interest of the specialised press, who came to cover the launch and learn more about this new step we were taking as a brand.

Because yes, we are in the business of houses… but we are also particularly good at throwing parties. And we enjoyed that day like never before: surrounded by colleagues, friends, collaborators, putting faces to many names and strengthening the personal relationships that we value so much. It was a complete success. And, fortunately, we celebrated just in time, because when we had everything ready to officially launch the inHAUS By collection in March… the pandemic hit.

The pandemic put us to the test, as it did everyone else. At first, uncertainty reigned and many projects were put on hold. Those were difficult months, but we soon realised that the situation also brought new opportunities. Many people, rethinking their way of life, began to seek a different lifestyle, more connected to nature and in single-family homes outside the big cities. This caused interest in our modular homes to skyrocket, and we saw a notable increase in requests and interest in our projects. 

We also took advantage of this time to do something that had been on my wish list for a while: standardising our processes. We created manuals for each department, documenting every step and ensuring that all processes were clear and organised. This allowed us to improve our efficiency and have more precise control over each stage. We also decided to implement an ERP system that would cover the entire company process, from initial contact with the customer, through project development, to production control, invoicing, costs and quality. It was a big challenge, but when we saw the results, we realised how much it had helped us to make better decisions and maintain precise control over all our processes. 

This year also brought us great joy with the recognition of the Offsite Awards, an international award that filled us with pride as it was direct recognition from the industrialised construction sector. It was proof that our work and dedication were being valued internationally and within our own industry. 

In retrospect, 2020 was not only the year in which we had to adapt to an uncertain context, it was also the year in which, with effort, we took a decisive step towards consolidating our model. I’m not going to lie to you, it was hard, very hard. It was a year of tension, uncertainty, long nights and difficult decisions. The staff suffered, my brother and I too. There were moments of doubt, exhaustion, and constant readjustments. But we were able to persevere. Or rather, we did everything we could to turn adversity into momentum. And although it was not a straight path, we ended the year with a deep conviction: we were more prepared than ever for whatever might come. We had strengthened our foundations without losing what was most important: our essence. To continue innovating, building with excellence, and setting the course for industrialisation in residential architecture.