Admiral Moving Service

Tontitown, AR

From the beginning, the project had a dual building program of warehouse (nearly 90%) and an office/driver’s lounge component (10%).  The team quickly moved to take advantage of the efficiencies of a Pre-Engineered Metal Building (PEMB) for the entire structure.  The design resulted in a PEMB solution encompassing the warehouse and office components into a simple single-slope form all living under one continuous roof.  Because of the higher volume of space created by the predominant warehouse needs, the office component was realized as a double height space stacking components and occupying only a single structural bay.

The warehouse portion of the project has minimal fenestration with only a long narrow strip of translucent panels along one side to allow daylight into the high end of the space.  The reduction of fenestration reduces heat gain therefore reducing the load on the warehouse.  The skin for the entire building is comprised of metal panels that meet the parameters for “cool roof” technology.  The white roof panels and light gray wall panels reflect the majority of the sun’s heat, while the energy-code compliant insulation sheds the remaining heat. For these reasons we were able to bypass air-conditioning for the entire warehouse and provide only minimal heating for the winter season.  The office portion of the facility (one structural bay of 11) faces north with moderate fenestration providing daylight for all users.  This portion is treated more conventionally with a standard split system for both heating and cooling.

Tontitown, especially along highway 412, is a bustling commercial corridor.  The client owns a long narrow strip of land with minimal frontage along the highway.  Working alongside the DBIA team, the owner quickly determined that developing the backside of the property for his moving and storage company and leaving the street frontage for a future commercial development made more sense for the long-term potential of this area of the city.  The property was subdivided into two plats, leaving the front half open for a more community-friendly endeavor.  Street improvements were made along the highway frontage including a heavy-duty entry apron and drive for moving trucks, continuation of sidewalks that coincide with the city’s masterplan, and landscaping to buffer the entry drive from a future development.