Industrial Expansion
Warwick, RI 13,568 sq. ft.
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The Architecture of Industrial Scalability
The primary challenge for this project centered on the seamless technical integration of a massive new warehouse volume with an active 15,025 SF facility. GDS led the comprehensive design and life safety coordination, navigating complex Rhode Island Building Codes (IBC 2018) to deliver a unified 29,293 GSF campus optimized for specialized material storage.
The design intervention focused on a "Functional Flow & Safety" strategy:
Warehouse & Logistics Optimization: We engineered a sprawling open-warehouse program featuring new high-utility loading bays and specialized storage zones for fluoropolymer materials. The layout was designed to handle high-volume shipping and receiving while maintaining a maximum egress travel distance of just ~95 feet.
Fire Safety & Occupancy Integration: A critical technical component involved managing the transition between S-1 (Storage) and B (Business) use groups. We utilized the existing 2-hour rated CMU wall as a strategic fire barrier, satisfying separation requirements without the need for redundant structural interventions.
Employee-Centric Program: Moving beyond simple storage, the addition incorporates a new break room, modern restrooms, and specialized changing/shower areas. This ensures the facility supports the daily wellness and logistical needs of the workforce.
Technical Performance & Compliance: The permit sets detail a high-performance building envelope adhering to IECC 2018 standards, including R-30 roof insulation and specialized R-10 slab edge protection. Every detail – from the high-lo drinking fountain placement to the precision-planned fire alarm pull stations – was reviewed to ensure a safe, energy-efficient, and code-compliant industrial build.
The result is a landmark Warwick expansion that proves industrial architecture can be as much about employee experience as it is about logistical efficiency.
