Creating an Infrastructure for Scalable Storage Solutions

Our architectural designs increase capacity, prioritize scalability, allowing for high-density storage systems to expand as your needs grow. We’re committed to creating tailored solutions that offer the utmost flexibility and limitless potential.

Planning for Future High-Density Storage Systems

As your business or institution evolves, it is essential to plan ahead for future storage needs. Whether it’s to handle increasing demand, expanding collections at museums and libraries, or criminal evidence in law enforcement facilities, high-density mobile systems are an efficient way of optimizing existing space. However, be sure to factor in sufficient floor load capacity when renovating buildings if you want to maximize the potential of these high-density shelving units. Professionalism and foresight will ensure your current investments pay off down the line.

Compact shelving provides libraries with long-term capacity advantages over standard shelving, at a relatively minor extra cost. Structural requirements call for up to 300 pounds per square foot versus 150 for the latter, providing you with double, or even up to 2.5 times the overall storage capacity in the end.

By strategically planning ahead, our clients were able to realize cost savings, maximize efficiency, and optimize their space over long-term timeframes.

 Adding Capacity During Construction

As college campuses expand, their need for additional space becomes increasingly apparent.

College Library

At the time of its construction, this library was designed with the foresight to include compact shelving, even though it was not a necessity. Decade later, Spacesaver high-density mobile systems have enabled the library to double its volumes and provide an additional 200 seats for students as well as introducing a “smart” classroom.

COMPACT SHELVING ADDS MORE CAPACITY IN LESS SPACE

The project team partnered with the architect and Spacesaver to create a comprehensive solution that would meet their expectations.

A thorough assessment of existing assets was conducted, with much of the shelving in excellent condition since its initial installation in 2005. Although some shelving had been installed on high-density systems, the majority was stationary. The Spacesaver consultant provided an estimate of how much space could be saved if all shelves were placed on compact systems, thereby eliminating unnecessary aisle space and consolidating printed materials.

The library was designed to support the extra weight of compact shelving, resulting in substantial space savings. The architect explained that “By preparing for future growth at the time of design and construction, we were able to build capacity into the floor slabs for eventual compact shelving throughout the stack area of the building.’ He went on to note that ‘The structural requirement for this type of shelving is up to 300 pounds per square foot [in a library], versus 150 for standard shelving, so it was necessary that columns and floor slabs be stronger. This small cost increase gives you potential two-to-two-and-a-half times more capacity in the future.”

CANVASS THE CAMPUS

University environments are complex, incorporating a variety of resources from libraries and athletic centers to security teams and medical care. To accommodate this complexity, it’s essential that campus space is managed effectively – read on to find out more about our guidance and strategies.

The planning team determined that implementing compact shelving would be the most efficient way to create additional seating room and make room for technology-enabled classrooms. Spacesaver cantilever shelving was chosen in coordination with new shelving, meaning that not only could the shelves take up less space but they would also have an increase in storage capacity. This solution offered both students and collections extra opportunities while preserving the integrity of the environment.

A Library Built for Future Flexibility

Another University
The university library wanted the utmost in flexibility. The design team decided on static shelving, but requested that the architect build it to bear twice its intended weight load. In case of future necessities, these Spacesaver shelves can be shifted or equipped with high-density storage systems.

Spacesaver Storage Solutions is equipped to aid you with the development of your professional cannabis cultivation facility.

Expanding Upward in a Vertical Cannabis Grow

Medical Cannabis Growing Facility

The owner of a medical cannabis cultivation facility took full advantage of their 3,000 sq. ft. state-issued license by working with an architect and Spacesaver to build in vertical storage capacity from the get-go. This creative solution allowed them to maximize their space while planning ahead for the possibility of increased consumer demand – having two tiers ready from day one and reserving room on the third tier to add plants if needed.

When the CEO and architect began conceptualizing the facility’s design, their thoughts were focused on a simple fact: the state-issued cultivation license limited the grow area to 3,000 square feet. The challenge is to maximize the use of the space. They needed to use the square footage in the most efficient way possible. The solution was two-fold: first, the CEO wanted to use mobile benching to optimize the grow rooms’ square footage. Then he wanted to go vertical to maximize the volume. Growing on multiple tiers of mobile benching would allow the facility to quadruple its canopy area.

MOBILE VERTICAL GROW RACKS OPTIMIZE SPACE

The design team conducted an extensive search of multiple mobile vertical grow rack vendors and selected Spacesaver’s GROW Mobile Systems to outfit their cannabis cultivation facility. These 50-foot-long carriages boast 20-foot-tall widespan shelving, mounted on ActivRAC® Mobilized Storage System rails, providing the perfect space for LED lighting, ventilation systems, irrigation systems and even soil-filled pots with plants! By utilizing this system, they were able to make efficient use of their aisle space by eliminating wasted areas.

Once the design was perfected, our team began an intricate construction process. The sheer size of the Spacesaver systems posed a challenge; components had to be received and stored within the grow area before building could begin.  The owner noted that having Spacesaver on board early allowed for seamless integration with the contractor’s build plan. “We needed rails embedded in the floor when pouring concrete, plus we had to find ways to store materials during construction. Tricky but necessary – managing delivery stages was essential.’

Spacesaver was an invaluable asset throughout the process, providing their expertise right from the initial design conversations to installing the mobile vertical grow rack systems, training staff and ongoing maintenance.
Having Spacesaver on board at the beginning made all the difference – they proved one of our best decisions in terms of partners for this project,” the owner added. “Selecting your vendors is key to successful completion of any large-scale endeavor like this and having Spacesaver there was an immense help.”

Ramping Up Police Records Storage

Police Department
The police chief partnered with the architect and Spacesaver to devise an effective records area that can expand as needed. The installation crew from Spacesaver installed the full rail system even though only a few carriages were initially required. Additional shelving and carriages can be added at any time, while rail covers provide a safe, comfortable walkway in the meantime.

Increasing Archival Capacity Over Time

State Archives

The construction of this archival facility included the installation of rails in order to ensure future capacity growth. This proactive approach is not only cost effective, but also simpler than having to add them later on. As the collection continues to expand, Spacesaver will be providing additional carriages and shelving units accordingly.

HISTORIC CHALLENGES

For many years, the museum staff of several state entities at the state capital have worked tirelessly to optimally utilize their limited collections storage spaces. As these institutions are situated in historic downtown buildings, which are densely populated, they often resorted to overcrowded storage areas, offsite overflow facilities, and even the basement of a former department store as additional venues for storing objects. Unfortunately, none of these locations were tailored specifically for collections storage purposes and employees understandably worried that such conditions could be detrimental to preserving artifacts.

CHALLENGES:

With decades of budget constraints, the need for an advanced shared collections storage facility has become imperative. After three decades of planning and 10 years of design and construction efforts, a state-of-the-art preservation facility is now available to address insufficient temperature and humidity controls, overcrowded storage areas with no room to expand, aging plumbing systems, along with security concerns.

A STATE-OF-THE-ART SOLUTION

The new shared preservation facility is a remarkable feat of engineering and planning, the likes of which has never been seen in the state. It stores an impressive 500,000 artifacts and 200,000 books across nearly 200,000 square feet of collections storage space. The construction features cutting-edge climate control systems and security equipment tailor-made for this particular building, designed to ensure its contents remain safe and secure.

WORKTABLE

Archives staff with limited space require a multi-functional workspace. The perfect solution is this movable table, which offers ample room to lay out architectural plans and other documents while allowing the open area to be used for receipt and processing of materials. This innovative table includes flat file cabinets on one side, as well as 4-Post shelving on the other, making it a great addition to any professional archives’ environment. Moving the table couldn’t be easier; just turn the mechanical-assist handle along rails installed in the floor!

Contact us today for help with planning your capacity storage needs.