In 2007 we were appointed to design a new storage facility in a disused parking lot of an industrial site in Retreat. Despite the neglected nature of the site it was situated in a very convenient location – on the outskirts of Retreat yet very visible from the M3. The storage building could therefore service Tokai, Retreat, Constantia and Diep River.
Stor-Age, the client, had very particular requirements for their building in terms of loading bays, security and the storage sizes and specifications. All units are in increments of 3sq.m, and the corridors are a ratio of the size of units on that floor. A certain percentage of efficiency was also a very important requirement so as to attract an acceptable return on the building for the developer.
The other element that influenced the massing of the storage facility was that of vehicle turning circles – as we had to ensure that certain cars and trucks could turn round the building. Structurally the column spacing had to accommodate this and be at its most efficient to help with costs.
Marketing is a major feature of a storage building, and this building brand is red. Wayfinding is also extremely important as visitors to the building must be made ot feel safe, secure and orientated.