Four Key Principles of Modern Warehouse Design

As companies strive to optimise their supply chain operations, the demand for spacious, well-designed steel warehouses continues to grow. Businesses are seeking building solutions that can accommodate increasing customer demands, improve operational efficiency, and help them stay competitive in a fast-paced market.

Planning any new NZ industrial build requires a sound understanding of design principles, so what are the best practices for warehouse design? Below, we explore our top principles for modern warehouse design to help you maximise your building’s safety, efficiency, and growth potential. 

1. Space & Layout Utilisation

Maximising interior space is a primary consideration in modern warehouse design. Businesses are demanding larger, more spacious structures that can sufficiently hold workers, forklifts, and other machinery. Of course, these buildings must also have storage capacity for various goods, inventory, and equipment related to the business.

At Coresteel, our innovative structural systems have been pivotal in ensuring optimal interior space in all our warehouse designs. We co-developed DonoBeam with BlueScope Steel in 2015. This tapered metal box beam delivers broader spans than traditional structures while ensuring structural integrity. With no centre poles or braces, we can create expansive, unobstructed space for all your warehouse operations.

Our warehouse designs allow for the seamless movement of people and machinery, empowering businesses to enhance their operational productivity. This extra space reduces the chances of collisions, accidents, and congestion in your building.

2. Adaptability & Flexibility

At Coresteel, we understand that your business needs are ever-changing. That’s why flexibility is vital in modern warehouse design. As companies expand their product lines or customer reach, they require additional storage capacity. An adaptable warehouse design enables easy expansion. This flexibility helps businesses meet growing demands without costly facility relocations or major disruptions to operations.

Businesses regularly turn to Coresteel when they experience significant growth. Our flexible designs enable easy reconfiguration and expansion, allowing us to accommodate various business demands. Coresteel’s Commercial Manager, Simon Archer, explains this process.

“A client may have a warehouse currently, for example, that’s too small. So we’ll sit down and understand what those needs are from business in terms of what the projected growth is, how much more storage space they need, what they need to operate efficiently in terms of layouts, space offices, building height, and so on.”

Using our structural systems and prefabricated building methods, Coresteel will then bring this vision to life.

3. Building Safety

With any new industrial build, safety should always be a priority. Here are a few basic safety principles to follow when designing your warehouse.

• Clear Zoning: Designate lanes for vehicles, workers, and material handling equipment to prevent accidents. Mark aisles, walkways, and loading zones with appropriate signage and floor markings.
• Proper Layout: Ensure sufficient space for moving workers, machinery, and materials. Avoid overcrowding and provide clear pathways for workers, visitors, and vehicles.
• Floor and Surface Considerations: Use non-slip flooring materials to reduce the risk of slips, trips, and falls. Repair damaged floors promptly and keep surfaces clean and clear of debris or spills.
• Fire Safety: Incorporate fire-resistant materials in the warehouse construction and install fire detection and suppression systems. Place fire extinguishers in easily accessible locations and mark them.
• Ventilation & Air Quality: Ensure proper ventilation to maintain air quality and minimise exposure to harmful fumes, dust, or airborne particles. Install exhaust systems for areas with potential air contaminants.

At Coresteel, we follow all safety practices to ensure your building is safe and durable. We use high-quality materials and state-of-the-art equipment that comply with industry standards. Using reliable and durable materials such as steel can ensure our buildings’ structural integrity and longevity. Our patented portal system, DonoBeam, can withstand even the harshest environmental conditions, keeping your building safe for many years.

4. Sustainable Practices

Sustainability has become a key focus in modern warehouse design. Any business striving to future-proof its building should adopt sustainable building practices. There are a few ways you can do this.

Embracing sustainability begins at the first stages of the design and build process. The materials you select to construct your warehouse will greatly affect your environmental impact. Coresteel chooses hard-wearing steel for all commercial and industrial builds. This robust material is well known for its unparalleled strength and durability. Moreover, DonoBeam’s steel-saving design allows us to make significant carbon savings throughout the construction process.

Once construction is complete, you can continue to embrace sustainability by incorporating green practices into your daily warehouse operations. These practices may include eco-friendly packaging materials, recycling programs, and sustainability awareness throughout the business.

Create an Efficient, Safe, and Sustainable Warehouse Design with Coresteel

With many years of experience in the commercial and industrial building industry, Coresteel has the expertise to deliver a warehouse design that meets your business’s growing needs. We can tailor your warehouse to your exact requirements. Talk to us today to discuss a plan for your project.