OpenBox Co Design&Build signed a partnership agreement on March 30, 2021, to offer its clients Astron parking solutions.
By building multi-story parking structures, the PSLV (Publicly Ventilated Parking Structures), better known as silo parking, allows for the freeing up of buildable space—an invaluable value proposition in a context of land scarcity.
Bertrand Chabanne, what is your objective with this partnership?
B.C – We wanted to offer new solutions to our industrial, logistics, shipper, distributor, and investor clients. We know that land is now a rare and precious resource. In the past, it was less expensive and, more importantly, less difficult to develop or acquire. We didn’t ask as many questions about the parking attached to a building: it was always expansive, at ground level. Today, buildable land is becoming scarce. Furthermore, environmental issues push us to find new ways to utilize land in a sustainable way. This is a challenge we all want to address—clients and builders alike.
The PSLV silo parking is a solution to optimize surface areas, whether for new developments or existing sites, for passenger cars or commercial vehicles: by building parking structures upwards, we optimize the available land. On existing sites, we can reclaim part of the expansive parking area and dedicate it to another function, such as an extension of buildings, for example.
This partnership with ASTRON, specialists in next-generation above-ground parking, allows us to offer in-depth expertise on a very specific product: ASTRON’s parking solutions are well thought out, with efficient and simple traffic management... They integrate seamlessly into our sites, whether for industrial buildings, offices, or logistics platforms.
With a goal of zero land artificialization, we know the future lies in the densification of surfaces. In the logistics sector, which we know well, the same logic is taking place: multi-story buildings and automation allow us to produce more with less land.
Why did you choose ASTRON?
B.C – When we started looking closely at the parking issue for our clients, I naturally turned to ASTRON. A collaboration with them was a no-brainer because I started my career at ASTRON Buildings. Working with companies I trust and respect adds even more value and security for OpenBox’s clients.
Furthermore, our two companies share the same vision: the power of partnership for the benefit of the client. With Co Design&Build, collaboration is at the heart of OpenBox’s strategy in our relationships with clients and suppliers. ASTRON distributes its construction solutions through a network of partners across Europe. Both our companies are betting on partnership for growth.
How does it work in practice?
B.C – ASTRON is a manufacturer that designs and produces a construction system that we distribute to our client segment. OpenBox remains the primary point of contact for the client for the entire project. We guide them through the specification definition, taking the entire project into account. OpenBox is solely responsible for the client’s result obligations. However, we collaborate with ASTRON from the outset for the design and pricing study of a custom parking solution that precisely matches the user’s needs (location, dimensions, features, etc.).
The construction system is then designed in detail and manufactured at ASTRON’s factories, ready for assembly on-site. Assembly is carried out by ASTRON-certified installers. Beyond the structure, OpenBox is also responsible for all aspects, including roads and utilities, heavy works, electrical installations, and finishes.
As with all its operations, OpenBox commits to price, deadlines, and service, and as part of its Co Design&Build offering, ensures transparency, collaboration, and the sharing of savings.
Is parking a solution for the future?
B.C – Yes, because its use is changing and adapting. It supports major trends related to changes in mobility. The parking of tomorrow will be a hub that allows for vehicle sharing, recharging, order deliveries, and multimodal transfer points with bikes, public transport, etc.
We are already supporting local authorities in the planning of shared projects for various companies in first-ring business parks.
Moreover, ASTRON’s parking solutions have the advantage of being reversible: in the future, a parking structure can be transformed into offices, a showroom, or a production unit to support the growth of a business. In this sense, it is truly a solution for the future.
Colin Olszak, what are the particularities of your PSLV parking offer?
C.O – The Silo parking is currently clearly the most economical solution for companies compared to underground parking or parking under a building on stilts. Beyond this financial aspect, ASTRON has wanted to bring added value to its parking solutions for companies: they are no longer just spaces to park, but are now spaces to live because they include a number of services for employees: park under cover, store your bike, recharge your electric vehicle, but also pick up a parcel, practice car-sharing… Many services can be considered to add value to this space.
Our parking structures are modular to meet the flexibility needs of our clients: who can predict how work, mobility, or parking needs will evolve in the future? With our solutions, we can easily transform the parking structure to adapt to the company's growth. And why not use it for temporary events? The rooftop is perfect for that!
We also focus on the user comfort of our parking structures: brightness, early planning of pedestrian and vehicle routes for greater safety, green facades, and pillar-free design for easier parking. Each project is unique and designed with the client.
It can even reflect the company’s brand by incorporating the company’s colors.
How is the Astron parking product eco-friendly?
C.O – Because the design of our parking structures is less energy-consuming. The steel used for the structure of our parking is made of 70% recycled steel. In some cases, we can even reach up to 90% recycled steel. Furthermore, from the design phase, we consider minimizing the impact on greenhouse gas emissions by optimizing material usage. Less material, less transportation – that’s what we aim for.
What does this partnership with OpenBox bring you?
C.O – This partnership is obviously an entry point into the industrial world, particularly logistics, a market segment that OpenBox knows well. Beyond this marketing strategy, we share a long-term vision: we want to work on the reversibility of building surfaces and uses, with a sustainable approach for the client.
