Giedrius Valantinas has managed some of our most important projects so far, including the standard setting Via Vika in Oslo. And his 5 year journey at Staticus has completely changed the way he looks at the world. This is mostly the result of working with so many different partners across Europe, and being part of an open and friendly international team. For Giedrius, the pleasure of constantly meeting and working with new people is only matched by the reward of seeing the physical results of your efforts hanging on an amazing new building.
What was it like when you first started at Staticus? And how do you take care of new colleagues that join your team?
I joined Staticus 5 years ago and it was a big change from the work I had done before. I found it really interesting to work in an international company. The first country I got to work in was the UK, in London – less than a year after I started working at Staticus there were some issues on site so I had to go into “fire fighting” mode (though I prefer to be a “water fighter”).
I also noticed when I started how friendly everybody in the company was. This atmosphere obviously helps with new employees too. My approach with new hires is to try to understand as much about their background as possible, especially their country and culture – trying to think the way they might think and remembering that they don’t know anyone yet. I always try to be as open as possible and to assist as much as I can.
What is the single best thing about working at Staticus?
The attention to quality, and the attention to the environment.
And by the environment, I mean the natural environment but also the working environment, including health and safety. I like the fact that, even though we are a successful business, it is not all about the money. There are other factors that matter as well. Ultimately, it is the final result that matters, the quality, and impact of the physical buildings we work on, not just making a profit.
What new perspectives have you gained while working at Staticus?
Overall, my perspective and the way I look at the world has changed dramatically since I started at Staticus. The person I am today is a different person from the person I was 5 years ago.
So far I have worked in 3 different countries outside of Lithuania (the country I come from) – Norway, Sweden, and the UK. And in each country – even in each company – I can see how the same things are approached differently. This could be how they approach project management, site management, or health and safety – there are always new ways of seeing a topic.
What new skills and competencies have you learned while working at Staticus?
Well, I have definitely refined my project management skills. And one important lesson I have learned is that a façade is much more than just glass and profiles – these are very complex objects.
What makes Staticus a unique place to work?
First of all, Staticus’ international position makes it unique, especially here in Lithuania. We have offices across Europe and we work in many different markets. So working here, you get to work with colleagues from other countries. Plus, our international status means we can have the vision to be a company that actively helps to fight climate change with the façades we build.
I also think our level of professionalism and the way employees are treated sets us apart, even in the international market.
What do you find most interesting in your work at Staticus?
The most interesting side of my work is bringing a team together and then, at the end of it all, seeing a façade hanging on a real building. It’s great that after all the hard work, you can see a physical result.
Which project are you most proud of?
The Via Vika project in Oslo is the one I am most proud of. It is by far the most complex project we have completed so far as a company. And it has so many interesting features as a building. It is the first building in Northern Europe to feature a closed cavity façade, and the skylight on the building was also a really interesting and challenging feature.
Tell us a bit about your life outside of work.
I am a nature person. I love being outdoors, and I’m interested in a lot of different outdoor sports and activities like orienteering and skiing, both cross-country and alpine. I play football as well. I recently became a dad, so the family is a huge part of my life too.