In recent years, pressure on land availability and rising costs have driven companies to seek ways to optimize their investments. The stakes are high, and builders are innovating to gain more height while maintaining the cost-efficiency of their operations.
While technical solutions are well known, analyzing the specific requirements of each type of goods and each client’s needs makes it possible to find tailor-made answers for gaining the clear height needed for operations—at an acceptable cost. This is where Co Design&Build truly proves its value: by co-constructing the project with our clients and all partners, we collectively make decisions on how best to balance the need for increased storage with budget constraints.
There are, however, numerous constraints that limit what’s possible—sprinkler systems, for instance, which become significantly more expensive when aiming to exceed 13.70 meters below the roof deck. To comply with current regulations (APSAD or NFPA) and keep pace with technical developments in the field of fire protection, it’s essential to adapt and select the optimal ratio.
The roof load—particularly when installing photovoltaic power plants—also requires appropriate structural sizing. The type of structure, whether wood or concrete, greatly impacts not only cost, but also bulk, and the availability of space for utility networks. A balance must be struck between reducing the number of columns and increasing height, between functionality and aesthetics.
The choice of a rainwater drainage system is often strategic in the pursuit of height: avoiding under-slab piping and opting instead for a system of valleys that channel water to the façade (which often affects storage height); a siphonic system, ideal for gaining height (but with maintenance implications); or a more traditional gravity-based system (which takes up more space)—all these options are carefully evaluated by our teams.
In OpenBox’s two recent projects, the issue of clear height was at the core of the discussions: in one case, to manage atypical pallets on a ground +4 level, we opted for a wood structure and were able to achieve 10.50 meters of clear height with a 29-meter span, and 12.20 meters under the roof deck, all at a cost that was satisfactory for both parties. This project also includes a photovoltaic power plant, adding an additional roof load of 25kg/m².
In the case of the Barjane project in Louvres, with a concrete structure, 12.20 meters of clear height were achieved (storage on ground +5) for a 24-meter span and a roof deck height of 13.70 meters. This represents an additional storage level, providing 20% more storage capacity across the entire building.
The development of picking logistics on a mezzanine (heavily driven by E-commerce) is also another key motivation for seeking greater clear height in projects.
The expertise of OpenBox is constantly challenged by our clients' needs: it is with them that we innovate on a daily basis.
