Southern Glazers

Summarize the project's program, features and achievements?

The newly constructed Wine and Spirits distribution warehouse is a state-of-the-art facility designed to support high-volume logistics and streamlined operations. The program includes expansive temperature-controlled storage areas, high-clearance racking systems, and advanced inventory management technology to ensure product integrity and efficient distribution. The building also features dedicated loading docks and administrative offices. This distribution center is almost wrapping up and hitting its completion date in 2025!

What obstacles were overcome related to the schedule, budget, program, specification, site, etc. on this project?

Constructing the Wine and Spirits distribution warehouse presented several notable challenges. One of the more technical obstacles involved the installation of thermal breaks around windows and doors, which required careful detailing to maintain energy efficiency without compromising structural integrity. Similarly, coordinating the dock door jambs and ensuring proper insulation at joint interfaces proved complex due to tight tolerances and performance requirements. Additionally, the site’s proximity to protected wetlands demanded a carefully coordinated erection plan, including limited equipment access and strict environmental compliance measures, which added complexity to both scheduling and logistics throughout the build.

Please communicate any engineering complexities or unique features of the panel design for this project?

The Insulated panels added much engineering complexity. These panels required a multi-layered assembly, consisting of an exterior concrete wythe, a rigid insulation core, and an interior structural wythe, all bonded together to function as a single, high-performance unit. Ensuring the alignment and structural integrity of these layers during casting and erection was a significant challenge. The placement of insulation and embedded connectors had to be exact to maintain both the load-bearing capacity and the building’s thermal performance, without introducing thermal bridging. This portion of the project demanded careful coordination between the structural engineering team, panel fabricators, and field crews to successfully meet the stringent design and energy requirements of the facility.