Professional design of industrial halls and facilities is a complex and highly specialised process, so it is extremely important to choose the right architect and construction office to deliver the design to the highest standard. What is the design of industrial facilities all about? What are the indicators of a good design? What do I need to consider when designing a hall? Here are the key points, ranging from explanations of the basics to recommendations on best practices and requirements!

What does the industrial design involve?

Hall design focuses, among other things, on three important aspects. These are primarily:

  • Cost optimisation – the investor’s objective is for the funds invested in building a workplace to pay off quickly and for the project itself to become profitable.
  • The right choice of materials – when designing industrial halls the right choice of construction materials is crucial – high quality materials will ensure the durability and stability of the structure.
  • Optimising the use of space – the last but equally important point is to maximise the use of available space – this is dealt with by an architect experienced in designing industrial buildings.

Contractors working for the industrial sector recommend solutions, based on their portfolio of completed projects, which their architects and engineers adapt to the specific site. Having a look at, for example, a finished reference design of a commercial building can be fundamental in detailing the investor’s vision.

How to design an industrial facility well?

It is best to order the design of an industrial hall from a competent contractor that can provide positive customer feedback and a long track record in industrial construction. Experienced specialists know exactly which solutions work best at the moment. When consulting the investor on the design, it is worth raising such issues as fire safety, emergency exits or the degree of the building automation. Usually with this type of building you also need a sufficient number of driveways and parking spaces for delivery trucks and employees. Also keep in mind that industrial steel halls need separated staff and office areas, e.g. for logistics or accounting and company management.

Hall design – good practice

Design of steel halls or expanding existing facilities is a knowledge-intensive process which is why multidisciplinary teams of architects and experienced constructors work on it. In their work, they must pay attention to the customer’s requirements and economic considerations, as well as the applicable building standards. From the beginning of 2021, the Polish Building Standard has been replaced by Eurocodes, which are uniform building regulations designated by the European Community Commission. Here are some examples of these:

  • Eurocode 0-PN-EN 1990 – stipulates general principles defining the basis for structural design, its reliability and durability.
  • Eurocode 1-PN-EN 1991 – here you will find details on the impact on building structures.
  • Eurocode 3-PN-EN 1993 – a set of Eurocodes for the design of steel structures is included here. General guidelines and guidance for buildings as well as for bridges, silos or chimneys are provided.
  • Eurocode 7-PN-EN 1997 – is a set of standards covering geotechnical design and dealing with the methodology of ground investigations.

Hall design – what needs to be considered?

It is important to remember that the design of industrial halls is not only the creation of construction plans, but also the choice of technology and the right time for its completion. In case of buildings for the industrial sector, steel structures are the most common choice, but many investors also opt for mixed structures, combining reinforced concrete and steel elements. This is dictated among other things by fire safety requirements. Another issue is the preparation of a schedule for the implementation of the project and planning the logistics of material delivery. Commercecon is a partner that relies on the expertise of its competent team of experts, able to meet the expectations of even the most demanding investors.