Like the manufacturing marketplace itself, development within the light industrial sector is highly competitive and cost-sensitive. To achieve the right balance of functionality and economy it is essential that each element of a building’s design contributes to its overall efficiency. Optimising industrial systems design requires a detailed understanding of the manufacturing process and the supply chain.
Buro Happold’s engineers work closely with architects, owners, suppliers and other professionals to provide co-ordinated, multi-disciplinary solutions which deliver performance and value at lowest capital cost. Our extensive experience in this sector covers a wide range of industries, including food processing, electronics, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, cars, cosmetics and distribution.
We recognise that good design must fully support the purpose of the building, and this is especially true of industrial plants where access and infrastructure are vital to efficient operation. Whether the construction is a factory or a warehouse, industrial projects require efficient traffic operation – transport planning is critical in avoiding delivery/collection delays and congestion around the facility.
Our flexible solutions provide a framework for success from the earliest design stage. Although industrial units are relatively light buildings, they usually have floor loading criteria of 50kN/m2 or more and are often built on soft, low-lying ground. Buro Happold’s ground engineers evaluate the most efficient and cost-effective way of providing load bearing capacity while advising on any land remediation needed.
Often containing heavy machinery and large access doors, industrial units present a variety of design challenges relating to energy consumption, fire safety, lighting, emission extraction and climate regulation. We evaluate design options for meeting sustainability targets, such as low energy heating, natural ventilation systems and heat loss prevention. Our fire engineers advise on how to maximise available space without compromising worker safety.
Structural costs are significant in the overall cost of the development, so we thoroughly analyse materials and methods to assess where improvements and savings can be made. Economy, speed of construction and fast delivery to market can make the difference between success or failure on an industrial project. Our rigorous, scientific approach – based on engineering best practice and teamwork – is well suited to meeting these vital commercial objectives.
