DB3 Industrial, Logistics & Distribution

DB3 Industrial, Logistics & Distribution Project Experience

About DB3

Founded in 1883, DB3 Group is an award-winning, dynamic practice consisting of DB3 Architecture & Design, DB3 Building Services Engineering, DB3 Net Zero, DB3 Professional Services, and Formation 3D. DB3 Group has seven studios across the UK including in Leeds, London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Cardiff and Aberystwyth, so we are never too far away from your project. Renowned for our quality design and technical delivery, we have long standing relationships with some of the biggest global brands across private and public market sectors.

From architectural vision to the completed build, we provide multi-disciplinary expertise aimed at meeting the diverse needs of our client base. We embrace the latest technology, including Building Information Modelling (BIM), to assist in our process and operations for design, visualisation, design team co-ordination and more.

We maintain a focus on not only delivering the project on time, with exceptional quality and within cost, but also in ensuring long term value is designed into facilities to ensure that they are easy and safe to operate, sustainable, minimise energy use and are cost effective to maintain.

Our dedicated team of experienced Architects, Project Managers, Building Services Engineers, Interior Designers and Surveyors provide a quality service regardless of project value, size or complexity, to deliver the best for our clients. Working collaboratively, we aspire to make this an enjoyable process and build relationships which result in us returning to work for the same clients on future projects.

SECTORS

ƒ Commercial

ƒ Conservation & Heritage

ƒ Education

ƒ Energy & Waste

ƒ Healthcare

ƒ Hospitality

ƒ Industrial & Manufacturing

ƒ Retail

ƒ Residential

ƒ Science & Labs

ƒ Sports & Leisure

EXPERTISE

ƒ Architecture

ƒ

Passivhaus Design

ƒ Urban Design

ƒ Visualisation

ƒ

Principal Designer

ƒ NEC Supervisor

ƒ Building Services Engineering

Glasgow

Leeds

Manchester

Birmingham

Aberystwyth

Cardiff

London

Unlocking Efficiency and Powering Logistics

DB3 offers a wealth of Architectural and MultiDisciplinary Design Lead expertise within the Logistics and Distribution sector. We design and manage projects for product suppliers and logistics operators.

Our knowledge is gained through experience successfully designing and delivering projects for globally renowned brands: Nestlé, Coca-Cola, Oatly, Saint-Gobain, Celotex and British Gypsum.

We have a deep understanding of the requirements of all stakeholders including investors, developers, contractors and end users. Our expert team has built an excellent reputation within the sector through approaching every project on an individual basis, understanding the constraints and opportunities of the site and delivering a solution to suit our clients’ needs.

AIREDALE INTERNATIONAL AIR CONDITIONING Production, Office & R&D Facility

Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire

Completion Date: 2017

Expertise Area: Manufacturing & R&D

Following an extensive fire at their existing premises, DB3 was approached by Airedale International Air Conditioning to act as Lead Consultant providing Project Management, Architectural, Structural and Building Services Engineering.

Their business was relocated into a number of temporary premises in Leeds to maintain their production facilities and DB3 assisted them with negotiations with the insurer to establish the options for replacing the facility on site.

Various options were considered and costed by our professional team resulting in a decision agreed with insurers to demolish the existing facility and to design and construct a new 23,000m² production building, incorporating Research and Development facilities and offices.

Our client was re-located and fully operational in temporary premises some 12 weeks following the initial fire, and work commenced in procuring

separate contracts for asbestos removal and demolition of existing buildings, together with design options for re-building the new facility which would include the re-location of the client’s plant and equipment from the temporary facilities. The scheme, which utilises Revit and Building Information Modelling (BIM), was submitted for planning and approved in 3 months.

With the agreement of the insurer and client, a two stage Design and Build procurement route was adopted, with the design for the main building and production facility being taken to Stage D, and the Research and Development to Stage E.

A main contractor was appointed following Stage 1 to work with the client and his professional team throughout Stage 2 to agree the Employer’s requirements and contract sum, and following a successful negotiation work commenced on site for a 15 month construction period.

MALCOLM GROUP

Distribution, Storage & Logistics Centres

Location: Scotland

Expertise Area: Logistics & Distribution

DB3’s Glasgow team work extensively with Malcolm Group and have supported them on Distribution, Storage & Logistics Centre over a significant period of time. We act as Design Team Lead and offer Client Liaison on projects across the Malcolm Group portfolio.

A recent project example is the work at Linwood. The project includes a 10,000m2 storage facility,

storing bottled alcohol. The proposed storage facility is sited and designed to be integrated to an adjacent functioning facility.

The design and detailing were achieved avoiding disruption on live working environment during construction works, whilst providing integrated infrastructure for immediate and future operational growth.

New ASRS Facility

Location: Sidcup, near London

Completion date: 2017

Expertise Areas: Manufacturing & Distribution

DB3 was appointed to deliver a new automated warehouse facility within the existing Coca Cola site at Sidcup. The new automated facility houses around 26,000 pallets and has a fully integrated clad rack system and MHE linking into the dispatch area and existing production lines. The scheme includes a 40m high ASRS building, new distribution building and a link warehouse to the main production halls. A new gatehouse and completely re-designed goods yard and access, alongside flood elevation works, also form part of the work. The project has been carefully designed to incorporate the requirements for logistics and functionality.

DB3 dealt with the full planning applications to Bexley Council and London City Council,

requiring complex negotiations and coordination of all supporting information during a public consultation. Visuals and clear concise information were required from the outset. A high degree of process integration was required to ensure the MHE works across all levels and is fully accessible. The link warehouse contains MHE multi-level change towers to allow feeds from differing lines directly into the ASRS which contains seven fully automated cranes. This links to the distribution warehouse and feeds directly to the loading docks for rear loading and side loading as required. Due to its complexity and advanced engineering, viewing galleries have also been incorporated. DB3 played a key role in evaluating tenders and MHE queries to ensure deliverability of the project.

Distribution Centres

Location: UK-wide

Completion date: Ongoing

Expertise Areas: Manufacturing & Distribution

DB3 have worked as architects for Coca Cola’s UK distribution facilities for over 20 years. We provide a range of services that aim to optimise the functionality, efficiency, and aesthetic appeal of these facilities.

Collaborating closely with Coca Cola’s logistics team, helps us prioritise their specific requirements and operations. This includes insights into the volume and nature of the products being distributed, storage needs, material handling systems, and traffic flow patterns. By understanding the unique demands of Coca Cola’s distribution network, we can design facilities that are tailor-made to meet their specific needs and operational processes.

We focus on creating efficient spaces that optimise storage capacity, streamline movement

of goods, and promote smooth workflow. This includes allocating areas for storage, loading and unloading zones, processing areas, office spaces, and staff facilities. Our goals is to design a layout that minimises congestion, enables efficient movement of products during distribution, to enhance operational productivity & reduce costs.

Throughout the process, we adhere to industry standards, local regulations, and sustainability principles. We ensure compliance with building codes, health and safety regulations, and environmental requirements. Designing sustainable features, including energy-efficient lighting systems, water management strategies, and waste reduction measures.

DB3 collaborates with contractors and suppliers to ensure seamless execution.

INTEGRATED FOOD PROJECTS

Oatly’s First UK Factory

Location: Peterborough, Cambridgeshire

Completion date: due 2023

Expertise Area: Manufacturing & Distribution

DB3 provide architecture and principal designer services as well as front of house M&E service for Oatly’s first oat drink factory in Peterborough.

Sustainability is at the heart of the planning process and this project is part of the wider initiative from Oatly to build factories fit for the future, with efficient use of resources and minimal negative impact on the planet.

The new factory will be able to produce 300 million litres of oat drink per year at launch, with the capacity to grow to 450 million litres, which will make it one of the largest plant-based dairy factories in the world.

MATCHES FASHION Distribution Centre

Location: Park Royal, London

Completion date: 2021

Expertise Area: Distribution

DB3 undertook a programme of works with Matches Fashion to create a new distribution centre and welfare building along with works to the existing buildings including fit-out of a warehouse and refurbishment of the offices.

Working from RIBA Stages 0-6, Phases 1-3 were completed over a 4-year period, allowing for additional alterations to be made as improvements were identified.

The scheme consisted of a full refurbishment of the existing 165,000sqft warehouse, complete with the installation of a new internal two storey mezzanine facility bringing the warehouse to 257,000sqft, full refurbishment of the existing 54,000sqft multi-storey office building and

construction of new welfare facilities to accommodate 300+ staff members complete with associated site works.

Services within the warehouse included; Full new LV/IT, lighting/emergency lighting, fire detection, distribution, new air handling units (AHUs) and roof mounted extract fans.

A full new commercial sprinkler installation to FM standards was installed within the warehouse and the offices, which included: Full new LV/ IT, lighting/emergency lighting, fire detection, distribution, new ventilation units (MVHR), LTHW heating, domestic services and comfort cooling.

Phases 2&3 also included works to the site, offices, gatehouse and warehouse.

Dark Store Distribution

Location: UK-wide

Expertise Area: Distribution

DB3 have worked with a number of retailers on their distribution and logistic projects. with online shopping becoming increasingly popular, we have worked with ASDA and Morrisons on some Dark Store Distribution Centres (DSDC).

DSDCs, are specialised warehouses that have been designed to service online retail orders exclusively. The term “dark store” is used because they differ from standard brick and mortar retail stores in that they do not feature aisles, shelves, or product displays of any kind. Instead, DSDCs are designed with customer fulfillment in mind and contain tightly packed shelves and product racks that store items until they are ready to be picked and packed for shipping.

One advantage of DSDCs is that can be strategically placed closer to customer populations, allowing for shorter delivery times, a critical factor in terms of improving customer satisfaction and loyalty. The highly automated process, with robots and conveyor belts working in unison to pick and pack items, reduces labour costs and increases productivity.

DSDCs have the ability to carry a larger and more diverse inventory than traditional retail stores. Because space is not a concern, they can stock a wide range of items, including bulkier and heavier products that would be difficult to store in a traditional retail location.

INVER HOUSE DISTILLERIES Bonded Warehouse Facility

Location: Scotland

Expertise Area: Warehouse & Distribution

DB3 acted as Architect to support Inver House Distillers (IHD) in building 16 bonded warehouses and supporting infrastructure in phases across the site, to provide disgorging and blending facilities and a bottling plant.

Established in 1964, IHD began in the Lanarkshire town of Airdrie, building the Moffat whisky complex, located on the site of the derelict Moffat Mills paper mill, the complex included a malt whisky distillery called Glen Flagler, and a grain distillery known as Garnheath.

Two years later in 1966, a large bottling plant was opened on the Airdrie site, which also housed Moffat maltings, at one time, the largest maltings in Europe.

Following a number of acquisitions and disposals, and corresponding expansions and reductions of operations, as well as transfers of ownership, Whisky distilling returned to the site in 1989. To avoid confusion with the nearby Knockando distillery, the management team that purchased and expanded the operations, re-branded the whisky anCnoc after the local hill.

The site masterplan sought to continue the development of IHD, building on their history and sustainable business development.

Ancillary activity and structures included a gatehouse, office accommodation, barrel-storage, storage tanks, vehicle parking and staff/visitor parking.

The development comprises of

ƒ 16 bonded warehouses each being 32m in length x 28m in width x 12m in height, designed solely to accommodate the storage of whisky in barrels

ƒ Disgorging plant and associated external tank farm, where the whisky barrels are emptied (disgorged), with the contents being sent to the bottling plant for bottling and despatch, and the empty barrels being refilled and put back into the bonds for maturation

ƒ A bottling / cased goods plant with associated office and staff welfare accommodation

ƒ Staff and visitor car parking that will provide ultimately 92 car spaces

ƒ Internal service, access and fire access roadways with associated drainage infrastructure

ƒ Security gatehouse, security gateway and weighbridge

ƒ Extensive site investigations and ecological surveys to ensure proposals protect and enhance the natural environment.

ƒ Associated landscaping

ƒ Tree Loss Mitigation - In recognition of tree loss within site boundary, Landscape Architects were commissioned to prepare a tree planting strategy on adjacent site owned by IHD

ƒ SuDS (Sustainable Drainage Systems) to facilitate natural drainage, infiltration, attenuation and passive treatment

WALKERS

Distribution Centre

Location: Peterlee, County Durham

Expertise: Distribution

High-bay Warehouse at Walkers Snack Foods (Distribution) Ltd. This project allowed the business to optimise its supply chain and increase the local storage capacity within its logistics network. The phased investment proposal was for a new automated storage warehouse built to the rear of the existing distribution centre followed by a new first floor office extension over the existing warehouse offices providing training rooms, meeting rooms and IT rooms.

The building is required to hold an increasing production volume and growing variety of product ranges. This is a highly automated warehouse with a capability to hold a further 9,500 pallets of product ready for sorting, order picking and delivery to our customers.

This initiative reduces inefficient vehicle movements between our existing Distribution Centres and the periodic requirement for off site third party storage and the associated intermediate vehicle movements.

Several options were considered to make this significant investment either at Peterlee, at one of their other sites or even at a new location, but after careful analysis they proposed to expand the Peterlee Regional Distribution Centre site.

Detailed consultation and planning carefully developed our proposal that created a state of the art logistics facility, taking full advantage of modern technology and operating methods to minimise the environmental impact both locally and nationally.

Celotex Production Facility

Location: Eggborough, North Yorkshire

Completion Date: 2017

Expertise Area: Manufacturing & Distribution

£20m new production facility for Celotex, the UK’s largest supplier of PIR insulation boards. The facility is located next to Saint-Gobain’s glass manufacturing facility in Eggborough. The project incorporated 190,000sqft of offices, production and warehousing with ancillary areas.

The building is a high eaves, single storey construction with a duo pitch roof on a portal frame. The substructure was a deep pad solution with a fibre reinforced slab. The roof, walls and high-level cooling towers were clad including rapid roll doors to loading bays. The single storey offices are fully fitted out for administration, meeting rooms, production support and workshops with ancillary areas. Production facilities & high bay storage incorporated sprinkler protection system.

The factory’s frame comprising over 600 tonnes of steelwork is an asymmetric propped portal approximately 144m wide by 149m long, and is 13m high to the apex. Attached to the main frame is the canopy structure, which is a 72m wide twin span portal and projects 17m.

The civils design solution for access roads and hard standing minimised both construction and running costs. Reduced level excavations were undertaken as an enabling work package incorporating incoming services works and site access provisions.

The project was successfully delivered to a tight budget and programme, and the prestigious production facility in East Yorkshire created numerous jobs in the local area.

Architecture and much more

As a multi-disciplinary consultancy, our expertise extends beyond architecture, meaning our clients can pick and choose key areas or combine a number of our service skill sets and project

management skills when selecting our single point service offer. DB3 Group offers the following six individual business units.

DB3 Architecture & Design

Providing RIBA Chartered sustainable architecture, urban design and masterplanning, with supporting services including BIM, visualisation and interior design. DB3’s architectural team comprises 35+ architects, supported by a strong team of 50+ technologists and architectural assistants with the capacity to resource projects across all sectors.

DB3 Building Services Engineering

Offering CIBSE Chartered Mechanical and Electrical Engineering to all sectors. The team have particular experience in the leisure sector, having delivered numerous wet and dry leisure facilities across the UK. The team are CIBSE Low Carbon Energy Assessors and offer Thermal Modelling (DSM).

Formation 3D (F3D)

Drone operated aerial surveys, photography and videography by DB3’s in-house CAA qualified drone operators. A low risk, time efficient alternative for building inspections and land surveys. F3D also offers highly accurate 3D data capture & mapping of existing structures using point cloud, RTK and PPK technology, turning into 3D digital models for construction, design & facilities management projects.

DB3 Net Zero

Drawing on the experience of our in-house mechanical & electrical engineers, architects, energy assessors, Passivhaus designers and sustainability experts. Our suite of Net Zero consultancy services is broken down into six categories which cover topics around whole life cycle. These categories include; Carbon, Efficiency, Passivhaus, Wellbeing, Performance & Compliance.

DB3 Professional Services

The team deliver building surveying, retail project management, principal designer, contract administration and NEC supervisor roles, across the UK. Working alongside DB3’s architectural and M&E teams, these roles can be incorporated into a multi-disciplinary offering or procured as an independent service.

Home & Maker

A sister company to DB3 Architecture & Design, Home and Maker provides RIBA chartered online architectural services to domestic residential customers. Drawing on DB3’s many years of home design and construction experience, Home & Maker focuses on designing great homes at an affordable price.

Accreditations

AJ100 Company

RIBA Chartered Practice

Certified Passivhaus Designers

CIAT Registered Practice

CIBSE Directory of Practices & Firms

CIBSE Low Carbon Energy Assessors

ISO9001:2015 Quality Management System

ISO14001:2015 Environmental Management System

Altius Approved Elite Vendor

H&S SSIP Accredited, through Eurosafe and Alcumus

Constructionline Gold Member

Achilles RISQS Accredited

Cyber Essentials Plus

Awards

DB3 Group: Shortlisted - UKREiiF Awards 2023 ‘Consultant of the Year’ & ‘People & Skills Torchbearer’; Shortlisted - COMBA 2023

‘Architecture Practice & Business Development Professional’; Shortlisted - Grafters Awards 2023

‘Architecture Practice’; Winner – COMBA & COBBA

2022 ‘Architect of the Year’; 2021 Digital Enterprise Top 100; Winner – Insider Property Awards 2018

‘Architectural Practice of the Year’ & ‘Design Excellence’; Shortlisted – BD Awards 2017 ‘Sports & Leisure Architect of the Year’; RICS Design Through Innovation Award 2017; Insider Property Industry Awards 2015 ‘Highly Commended Architectural Firm of the Year’

Llys Cadwyn Regeneration: Winner – Cardiff Property Awards 2021 and Ystadau Cymru 2021

Award for ‘Creating Economic Growth’; Highly Commended – British Construction Industry Awards 2021; CLAW Project of the Year Awards 2021

Adidas Oxford Street: Gold Winner – London Design Awards 2020

Leeds College of Music: Winner – RIBA Regional Award 2015 ‘Small Project Award’; Shortlisted –Insider Property Industry Awards Yorkshire 2018

‘Regeneration Project of the Year’, Education Estates Awards 2018 ‘Refurbishment Project’, AJ Retrofit Awards 2018 ‘Further & Higher Education’; Constructing Excellence Yorkshire & Humber Awards 2018 ‘Building Project of the Year’

Chancery Lane Residential: Shortlisted – London Construction Awards 2018 ‘London Build Excellence’ & ‘Regeneration Project’

Airedale Air Conditioning: Winner – RICS 2017 Regional Award ‘Design through innovation’

Ysgol Craig Y Deryn School:

RTPI Wales Planning Award 2014

Kirkcaldy Leisure Centre: Commended – SCALA Awards 2014 ‘Civic Building of the Year’

Michael Woods Leisure Centre: Highly Commended – SCALA Awards 2014 ‘Civic Building of the Year’; Scottish Property Awards 2014 ‘Architectural Excellence’

MOMA Machynlleth Tannery Gallery: CPRW Awards 2014 ‘Special Award’

Marks & Spencer, Liverpool: Highly Commended –CIAT Award 2010 ‘Technical Excellence’

PAN Emirates, Dubai: Shortlisted – Retail Interiors Awards 2010 ‘Best International Interior’

Threeways School, Bath: BCSE Awards 2009 ‘Inspiring Design for Special Schools’

ASDA Stores Supplier Awards:

2009 ‘Best Consultant’ & ‘Best EDLC (Every Day Low Cost) Initiative’

University of Huddersfield, Creative Art Building: Bronze Awards – RIBA White Rose Award 2009; Commendation – CIAT Award 2009; Shortlisted –RICS Pro Yorkshire Awards 2009

University of Huddersfield, Milton Centre: Winner – Insider Yorkshire Renaissance Awards 2006 ‘Best Restoration Project’

Aberdovey Yacht Club: Winner – Snowdonia National Park Awards 1992 ‘Good Design in the Countryside Award’

St Giles Business Park for the DBRW: Winner – Prince of Wales Design Awards 1990 ‘Good Design Awards’

Llwydcoed Crematorium: Commendation – RIBA Awards 1968

Various

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS): 2017, 2011, 2010

Green Apple Awards: 2015, 2013, 2010, 2009, 2008, LABC Building Excellence Awards: 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008

LABC Design Excellence Awards: 2013, 2012, 2009, 2008, 2003, 2002

Leicestershire & Rutland Craftsmanship Awards: 2013, 2012, 2009, 2008, 2003, 2002

Civic Trust Awards: 2012, 2007, 2006, 1993, 1990

BREEAM Awards: 2008, 2007

Montgomeryshire Design Awards: 1997, 1994