As ecommerce drives demand for the construction of warehouses and distribution centers, architects are looking for ways to design Net Zero, energy efficient buildings that have architectural flair.
Insulated metal panels are an all-in-one building envelope solution that provide the sustainability, versatility and high performance architects are looking for in designing these “big box” buildings.
Warehouse and distribution center owners are increasingly interested in creating zero-carbon facilities. A 2022 survey conducted by Dodge Construction Network and LiftMaster found that over two-thirds of owners (68%) are interested in creating zero-carbon facilities and minimizing both energy use and operational waste in their facilities.
Making sustainable building material choices is key to creating Net Zero buildings. Kingspan insulated metal panels are designed to help architects lower embodied carbon in buildings. A building material made of partially recycled steel, these insulated metal panels are a perfect solution for reducing the carbon footprint of large-scale warehouses and distribution centers.
Delivering unmatched thermal efficiency and a full vapor and water barrier, Kingspan insulated metal panels are also an energy efficient cladding option that can help cut down on heating and cooling costs in these massive, big box buildings. The superior air and weather tightness of these panels eliminates heat loss or heat gain, ensuring the comfort of building occupants and protection of goods stored in warehouses and distribution centers.
As warehouses and distribution centers move closer to urban areas to keep pace with consumer demand for fast delivery, architects are looking for building materials that create aesthetic appeal and better integrate these buildings into their surroundings. Kingspan insulated metal panels offer architects and designers almost unlimited color/finish options that feature a wide range of panel profiles and textures. This versatility gives architects the ability to design warehouse and distribution centers to meet any brand and location aesthetic requirements.
A recent ecommerce distribution center build in Tracy, California shows how architects are using insulated metal panels to add visual flair and modern sensibility to a new generation of ultra-large retail distribution centers. Kingspan’s KS Series panels, used in some of the world’s largest e-commerce distribution centers, were selected for this project. Over 223,830 square feet of these insulated metal panels, about twice the area of a Manhattan city block, were used to construct the outer walls of the facility. These panels provided the aesthetic needed to make the facility stand out from the many other industrial buildings on the same road and offered custom colors that ensured the ecommerce company’s branding was front-and-center.
To design Net Zero, energy efficient buildings with architectural flair, architects and designers should look no further than Kingspan’s high performing, sustainable and versatile insulated metal panel product portfolio.