DESIGN - a distribution center
Although a distribution center is essentially a slab, four walls, a ceiling, and a parking lot, one should not discount the importance of the design for a distribution center. A qualified architect or design build firm with extensive experience in distribution centers can provide major cost and operational efficiency ideas as well as construction specification detail that will eliminate costly mistakes.
Poor design can lead to inadequacies in vapor barriers beneath the slab, compaction of subbase, paving and slab, water pressure for fire suppression systems, finish of warehouse floor, quality of dock doors and dock equipment along with many other costly misses.
Quality design provides for a thoughtful layout of the site and the building with construction detail and specifications that align with the intended use and allow for sustainability for that use in a cost effective manner with regard to minimizing future maintenance costs and energy.
The distribution center should be designed from the inside out, within reason. The type of stacking or racking should be determined along with the quantity of each storage method.
When developing a racking plan, it is typically easier to start with a typical racking plan and adapt form there. Obtaining advice from a material handling design company will surface new ideas, innovative concepts, control costs and link racking with material handling equipment.
Upon completion of the ideal product layout, the building can then be designed around the product. An architect will generate full construction plans that can be bid by multiple contractors. There are many items to consider in selecting an architect or a design build firm. A design build company will provide an in-house architectural within the construction company. There are several differences between separating design and construction and combining into a design build scenario. The attached architectural budgeting cost schedule can help in forcasting architectural or design costs.
