Designing sustainable, employee-centric warehouses – ADC

Holly Lewis explored the evolving role of industrial spaces in urban development, particularly in London, with an emphasis on innovative design and mixed-use integration. She discussed the challenge of balancing industrial employment spaces with housing, a growing issue as urban areas densify. To address this, architects are rethinking standards like floor-to-ceiling heights and creating podiums that house logistics facilities at the ground level, with smaller industrial units above. This novel approach, while uncommon in London, argued Lewis, is gaining traction.

Public sector support from the Greater London Authority (GLA) and the mayor’s office has been crucial, with projects in areas such as Black Horse Road and Waltham Forest serving as examples. These developments integrate industrial workspaces with creative studios, public realm improvements, and social spaces. Initiatives like removing public parking for seating areas, adding greenery, and activating industrial zones on weekends with breweries and wineries help foster community engagement. Lewis highlighted the need for continued architectural innovation and policy alignment to transform industrial spaces into vibrant, mixed-use urban neighbourhoods.

Chris Wallis focused on the technical and regulatory challenges of integrating photovoltaic (PV) systems into industrial buildings. One major issue, highlighted Wallis, is the flexibility of PV installations, where developers often adjust the amount of PV based on the building’s end use. Wallis also highlighted concerns about roof warranties and the potential risks posed by third-party PV installations, particularly regarding fire safety. Certifications from insurers like the Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB) and Factory Mutual (FM) address these risks, ensuring both fire performance and structural safety.

Wallis also emphasised the importance of meeting fire performance standards like EN 13501-5, which governs external fire spread, and noted that for high-value industries such as pharmaceuticals, FM approval is typically required. Kingspan Insulated Panels provides solutions to these challenges, offering low embodied carbon panels and integrated FM 4478-approved PV systems. The company also offers comprehensive warranties that cover thermal and fire performance, supported by their installer training programs. Wallis concluded by showcasing Kingspan’s fire product selector tool, which helps developers choose compliant products based on specific criteria and local regulations.

Hugo Braddick presented ‘Industria’: a multi-level industrial building designed to maximise efficiency, sustainability, and community integration. The building features a green wall system with planted troughs and metal trellises on each level, promoting natural light, ventilation, and biodiversity. This design helps connect workers with nature, a rarity in industrial settings, and contributes to the building’s sustainable credentials.

The ground floor incorporates shopfront windows, creating a welcoming space for businesses that serve both manufacturing and retail functions. Vehicle movement is internalised, with HGV deliveries confined to the ground floor and upper floors accessible by ramps for smaller vehicles. The building’s exterior, featuring a checker-patterned metal wall system, uses durable materials like precast concrete and metal composite panels, giving it both strength and visual appeal. Shared amenities, including a public café and business hub, foster a sense of community, while the upper floors offer breakout spaces for relaxation and socialisation.

Ben Hancock, discussed the importance of acoustic treatments in improving industrial workplaces. Noise control, he noted, is a critical issue in these environments, with excessive noise negatively impacting productivity, worker satisfaction, and even safety. Hancock cited a study, “Silence the Noise,” which found that poor acoustic design leads to increased stress and job resignations, yet few workplaces implement effective noise reduction measures.

Oscar Acoustics has developed a range of spray-applied acoustic finishes, demonstrated in their new facility, which serves as both a headquarters and a showcase for their products. The facility integrates acoustic treatments like SonaSpray finishes to create a quieter and more comfortable working environment, enhancing productivity while maintaining aesthetic appeal. The building has also achieved an A+ EPC rating for energy efficiency and earned recognition for its use of sustainable materials. Hancock’s presentation underscored the need for acoustic innovation in industrial settings and Oscar Acoustics’ commitment to improving workplace environments through sustainable practices.

Finally, Mike Teague discussed emerging trends in multi-level logistics buildings in urban settings, which allow for more efficient use of space while meeting the growing demand for industrial operations in densely populated areas. Teague put forward the various light industrial typologies that are popular in the market and described how each serve a particular purpose based on the activities taking place within and the scale of the operation. A key factor here was heavy goods vehicular access, which has differing constraints mostly based on warehouse size.

Teague also touched on his practice’s involvement in advanced manufacturing projects for companies like KLA and Oxford Instruments, as well as their work in life sciences. He outlined how the firm’s design approach starts with institutional standards and evolves based on client needs, with detailed area schedules helping inform commercial decisions. With this in mind, Teague emphasised the importance of feasibility studies and collaboration with consultants to ensure successful project delivery.