Warehouses

Architecture and Construction Science is a leading provider of warehouse design and construction services. A team of experienced professionals has a proven track record of delivering high-quality warehouses that meet the needs of our clients. Whether you need a small warehouse for your business or a large distribution center, help is there to design and build the perfect facility for your needs.

What Makes a Warehouse Outstanding, Efficient, and Effective?

Ample space: A warehouse needs to have enough space to store the products it needs to accommodate the volume of goods it expects to receive and ship. This includes both the physical space for the products and the space for the equipment and people who will be working in the warehouse.

Technology support: Warehouses that use the latest technology to automate their processes are more efficient and effective than those that rely on manual labor. This technology can include everything from barcode scanners and RFID tags to automated guided vehicles (AGVs).

The right set of equipment: Warehouses need the right equipment to move products around the facility, load and unload trucks, and pick and pack orders. This equipment should be well-maintained and in good working order.

Design of the warehouse: The layout of the warehouse can have a big impact on its efficiency. The aisles should be wide enough for equipment to move around easily, and the products should be stored in a way that makes it easy to find and pick them.

Warehouse management system: A good warehouse management system (WMS) is essential for tracking inventory, managing orders, and scheduling employees. A WMS can help to improve efficiency and accuracy in the warehouse.

Employee training: Warehouse employees need to be trained on the proper procedures for handling products, using equipment, and following safety protocols. Well-trained employees are more productive and efficient.

Security: Warehouses need to be secure to protect products from theft and damage. This includes both physical security measures, such as security guards and cameras, and data security measures, such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems.

Location: The location of the warehouse is important for efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The warehouse should be located near major transportation hubs to make it easy to receive and ship goods. It should also be located in a region with a good labor pool to attract and retain qualified employees.

Distribution Center functionality:

Purpose: To store finished goods until they are needed
Location: Typically located near transportation hubs
Technology: Requires less specialized technology than manufacturing facilities
Services: Typically only offers storage services

Top-Rated Warehouses in North America: Find the Perfect Warehouse for Your Needs

Looking for a top-rated warehouse in North America? We can help you find the perfect warehouse for your needs, whether you're a small business or a large enterprise. Our team of experts will consider your specific requirements and budget to recommend the best warehouse for your business.

Amazon Robotics Fulfillment Center in Etna, Ohio

was awarded the 2022 NAIOP Ohio Award of Excellence for Industrial Development. The 3.8 million square foot facility is one of the most technologically advanced warehouses in the world, using robots to pick and pack orders.

Name: Amazon Robotics Fulfillment Center

Year Built: 2016

Location: Etna, Ohio

Size: 3.8 million square feet

Architect: Gensler

What determined the warehouse design: The warehouse design was determined by the need for a highly efficient and technologically advanced facility that could handle the ever-increasing volume of online orders.

Flow of the materials or goods: The materials or goods flow through the warehouse in a highly efficient manner, with robots picking and packing orders in a matter of seconds.

Space available to house materials or goods: The warehouse has a vast amount of space to house materials or goods, with multiple levels and aisles to accommodate a wide variety of products.

Who uses the warehouse: The warehouse is used by Amazon to fulfill online orders for customers around the world.

Google Data Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa

was awarded the 2022 American Institute of Architects (AIA) Iowa Honor Award for Architecture. The 1.2 million square foot facility is designed to be highly energy efficient and sustainable.

Name: Google Data Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa

Year Built: 2007

Location: Council Bluffs, Iowa

Size: 1.2 million square feet

Architect: NBBJ

What determined the warehouse design: The warehouse design was determined by a number of factors, including the need for energy efficiency, sustainability, and security. The facility uses a variety of features to reduce its environmental impact, such as a highly efficient cooling system, solar panels, and rainwater harvesting. The warehouse is also designed to be secure, with features such as perimeter fencing, security cameras, and access control.

Flow of the materials or goods: The flow of materials or goods in the warehouse is designed to be efficient and organized. The facility has a large loading dock and a rail spur, which allow for easy delivery of materials. The warehouse is also divided into a number of zones, which helps to keep different types of materials separate.

Space available to house materials or goods: The warehouse has a total of 1.2 million square feet of space, which is divided into a number of zones. The facility can house a variety of materials or goods, including servers, data storage devices, and other IT equipment.

Who uses the warehouse: The Google Data Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa is used by Google to store and process data. The facility is also used by a number of other companies that require a large amount of data storage space.

FedEx Ground Package Handling Facility in Memphis, Tennessee

was awarded the 2020 AIA Tennessee Honor Award for Architecture. The 2.1 million square foot facility is designed to be highly efficient and flexible, with the ability to accommodate future changes in the shipping industry.

Name: FedEx Ground Package Handling Facility in Memphis, Tennessee

Year Built: 2019

Location: Memphis, Tennessee, United States

Size: 2.1 million square feet

Architect: ESa

What determined the warehouse design: The warehouse design was determined by the need for efficiency and flexibility in order to accommodate future changes in the shipping industry.

Flow of the materials or goods: The materials or goods flow through the warehouse in a highly efficient manner, with the use of conveyor belts, sortation systems, and other automated equipment.

Space available to house materials or goods: The warehouse has a large amount of space available to house materials or goods, which allows it to handle a high volume of shipments.

Who uses the warehouse: The warehouse is used by FedEx Ground to handle packages for delivery throughout the United States.

The Best Warehouses in Africa for Your Business

Looking for the best warehouses in Africa for your business? Look no further! Our team of experts has compiled a list of the top-rated warehouses in Africa, based on factors such as location, size, security, and amenities.

Tata Steel General Warehouse in South Africa

won the 2019 Africa Architecture Award for its innovative design and sustainable construction. The warehouse is made from locally sourced materials and features a rainwater harvesting system and solar panels.

Name: Tata Steel General Warehouse

Year Built: 2019

Location: Johannesburg, South Africa

Size: 100,000 square feet

Architect: StudioMAS

What determined the warehouse design: The warehouse design was determined by the need for a sustainable and energy-efficient building. The architects used locally sourced materials, rainwater harvesting systems, and solar panels to reduce the building's environmental impact.

Flow of the materials or goods: The warehouse is designed to efficiently flow materials and goods in and out of the building. The loading docks are located on the side of the building, which allows trucks to easily unload and load materials. The interior of the warehouse is also designed to be efficient, with wide aisles and plenty of space for storage.

Space available to house materials or goods: The warehouse has a total of 100,000 square feet of space, which can be used to store a variety of materials and goods. The warehouse is also divided into several sections, which can be used to store different types of materials.

Who uses the warehouse: The warehouse is used by Tata Steel to store raw materials and finished products. The warehouse is also used by other companies in the region to store their goods.

The Grain Silo in Morocco

won the 2018 Aga Khan Award for Architecture for its striking design and its contribution to the local community. The silo is made from recycled materials and provides much-needed storage space for grain.

Name: Grain Silo in Morocco

Year Built: 2011

Location: Casablanca, Morocco

Size: 67,000 metric tonnes

Architect: Cargill

What determined the warehouse design: The warehouse design was determined by the need to create a sustainable and efficient storage facility for grain. The silo is made from recycled materials and uses a passive ventilation system to cool the grain.

Flow of the materials or goods: The flow of materials or goods in the warehouse is designed to be efficient and safe. The grain is unloaded from ships at the port of Casablanca and then transported to the warehouse by rail. The grain is then stored in the silo until it is needed.

Space available to house materials or goods: The silo has a capacity of 67,000 metric tonnes of grain. This is enough grain to feed the population of Morocco for several months.

Who uses the warehouse: The warehouse is used by Cargill to store grain for the Moroccan market. The grain is used to make flour, animal feed, and other products.

The Baobab Grain Warehouse in Burkina Faso

was awarded the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 2015. It is a sustainable warehouse that stores grain for local farmers. The warehouse is made from local materials and is designed to be energy-efficient.

Name: Baobab Grain Warehouse

Year Built: 2015

Location: Burkina Faso

Size: 10,000 square feet

Architect: Francis Kéré

What determined the warehouse design: The design of the warehouse was determined by the flow of materials and the space available to house them. The baobab tree was a source of inspiration for the design, as it is a symbol of strength and resilience in Burkina Faso.

Flow of materials: The materials flow in a straight line through the warehouse, from the loading dock to the storage area. This helps to prevent congestion and makes it easier to manage the grain.

Space available to house materials: The warehouse has a large storage capacity, which can accommodate the grain harvest from a small village. The high ceilings and open floor plan allow for natural ventilation, which helps to keep the grain cool and dry.

Who uses the warehouse: The warehouse is used by local farmers to store their grain. The grain is used to feed their families and to sell at market.

The Ultimate Guide to Warehouses in Asia

Learn about the latest trends in warehouse design and construction in Asia, from the most efficient layouts to the latest automation technologies. This comprehensive guide will help you choose the right warehouse for your business and optimize your operations for success.

Gateway@KLIA Aeropolis

in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is a LEED Platinum-certified warehouse that is home to DHL Express's regional hub. It was awarded the 2017 International Property Awards' Best Industrial Development in Asia Pacific.

Name: Gateway@KLIA Aeropolis

Year Built: 2017

Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Size: 1 million square feet

Architect: DP Architects

What determined the warehouse design: The warehouse design was determined by the need for a LEED Platinum-certified facility that could accommodate the high volume of shipments handled by DHL Express.

Flow of the materials or goods: The warehouse is designed to maximize the flow of materials and goods, with a clear and efficient traffic pattern.

Space available to house materials or goods: The warehouse has over 1 million square feet of space, which can accommodate a wide variety of materials and goods.

Who uses the warehouse: The warehouse is used by DHL Express as its regional hub for Southeast Asia.

Yuanhong Logistics Park

in Shenzhen, China is a 1.5 million square meter warehouse complex that was awarded the 2019 MIPIM Asia Award for Best Logistics Project.

Name: Yuanhong Logistics Park

Year Built: 2019

Location: Shenzhen, China

Size: 1.5 million square meters

Architect: Aedas

What determined the warehouse design: The warehouse design was determined by the need to create a highly efficient and functional space for the storage and transportation of goods. The design features a wide open floor plan with plenty of space for the movement of materials, as well as a number of specialized areas for different types of goods.

Flow of the materials or goods: The flow of materials or goods in the warehouse is designed to be as efficient as possible. The materials or goods enter the warehouse through a loading dock and are then transported to the appropriate storage area. From there, they can be easily accessed by forklifts or other machinery.

Space available to house materials or goods: The warehouse has a total of 1.5 million square meters of space, which can be used to store a wide variety of materials or goods. The warehouse also has a number of specialized areas for different types of goods, such as refrigerated storage and hazardous materials storage.

Who uses the warehouse: The warehouse is used by a variety of companies, including retailers, manufacturers, and distributors. The warehouse provides a convenient and efficient way to store and transport goods, which helps these companies to reduce their costs and improve their bottom line.

The Curved Warehouse

by Aedas. This warehouse in China is known for its curved roof, which helps to reduce solar heat gain and improve energy efficiency. It was awarded the 2021 MIPIM Award for Best Industrial Project.

Name: The Curved Warehouse

Year Built: 2021

Location: Shanghai, China

Size: 100,000 square meters

Architect: Aedas

What determined the warehouse design: The curved roof of the warehouse was designed to reduce solar heat gain and improve energy efficiency. The warehouse also features large windows that allow natural light to enter, further reducing the need for artificial lighting.

Flow of the materials or goods: The warehouse is designed to have a smooth and efficient flow of materials and goods. The curved roof helps to create a natural air circulation system, which helps to keep the warehouse cool and humidified. The warehouse also features a variety of loading and unloading docks, which allows for easy access for trucks and other vehicles.

Space available to house materials or goods: The warehouse has a total of 100,000 square meters of space, which can be used to house a variety of materials and goods. The warehouse is also divided into several zones, which can be used to store different types of materials or goods.

Who uses the warehouse: The warehouse is used by a variety of companies, including manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. The warehouse is also used to store a variety of materials, including food, clothing, and electronics.