Canadian grocer METRO recently completed a new 600,000 sq. ft. automated fresh and frozen food distribution centre in Terrebonne, outside of Montreal.
The project presented a high level of complexity given the presence of cold and frozen storage rooms with exceptional height (112 feet), and the multifunctional nature of the facility which integrates a three-level administrative block complete with a commercial kitchen, a multipurpose cafeteria, a gym and yoga room, various meeting rooms, and a day-care centre.
As prime consultant, GKC Architecture & Design focused on stakeholder collaboration to achieve project objectives efficiently, understanding that bringing together around the table architects, consultants, engineers, interior designers and other professionals is necessary to ensure that they all speak the same language and work cohesively and effectively.
This collaborative approach facilitated the progress and contributed to the project's success, as the following examples illustrate:
GKC organised weekly coordination meetings between the engineers, the structural steel fabricator and supplier, and the general contractor for four months. The purpose was to ensure the coordination of contract documents and smooth execution of the work, including ordering the steel columns for the frozen warehouse six months in advance.
Driven by Divco, the general contractor, some 30 subcontractors and suppliers collaborated early on, setting and pursuing common goals rather than working in silos, ultimately improving project efficiency and the quality of the end result.
The visual coherence between the interior and exterior results from a collaborative effort between the interior designers Imperatori Design and the architect. By showing flexibility and openness to architectural imperatives, they contributed to the remarkable design quality of the industrial building.
In addition to the client, more than fifteen consultants and professionals contributed to this major project's success, raising the quality standards of industrial architecture in terms of efficiency, safety, aesthetics and user well-being.
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