Completed in August 2020, SMR provided Architectural Services for the two million sqft Automated Distribution Centre for our Client Operator in Durham. The state-of-the-art facility has created up to 1200 permanent jobs to support the local economy.

Containing 1.7m sqft of warehouse space over four floors, and over 300k sqft of Office and ancillary space, it becomes one of the largest distribution centres in the UK. The ground floor alone is the equivalent area of seven premier league football pitches. The facility provides 58 dock doors, as well as four van docks and two-level access doors. The envelope protects complex automation and robotic sortation is built away from institutional norms to deliver a specific unit ‘fit for purpose’ designed from the inside out. Sustainability was considered from the outset of the design, and the building has recently achieved the BREEAM ‘Very Good’ accreditation.

The scheme was successfully delivered by ISG Retail Ltd on programme despite the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.