Post by Yazmin El Ashrafi

It’s fair to say that the design of logistics facilities has changed considerably in recent years, particularly as technological advances influence the industry and the way it uses its buildings. Exploring these changes, delegates at the CILT International Centenary Convention will be taken on a journey through the evolution of logistics design by Stephen George + Partners’ James Nicholls and Marcus Madden-Smith. This illuminating session, in the convention’s Innovation & Technology Stream, will consider the evolution of ‘the shed’ and how it is revolutionising logistics architecture.

As Architects and Masterplanners at the forefront of design and construction in the industrial and logistics property sector, Stephen George + Partners (SGP) has experienced first-hand the evolution and, to some extent, revolution in how we send and receive products. From the simple box, to the last mile micro-hub, to thought leadership about the future of logistics, James and Marcus will be discussing where we’ve come from, where we are now and where the sector is headed.

Says James: “It’s interesting to consider how the typical logistics building has developed over the last 25 years. Building fabric has advanced technologically, the building structure remains much the same, albeit reshaped in size and proportion, and service areas have grown to accommodate larger vehicles. However, the ‘industry standard’ building now faces more challenges than ever to adapt to technological advancement, multi-modal accessibility, social pressure and hierarchy; so much so, that a standard typology could be argued to be disappearing.”

James and Marcus will discuss how architecture is responding to these changes and outline the practice’s own vision for the logistics facility of the future, a customised design that will embrace the plethora of emerging technologies.

Continues Marcus: “Our vision responds not only to technological advancement, but also the increasing challenges facing the environment. As demand escalates, we believe that logistics facilities should form an intrinsic part of a wider framework, consisting of mixed-use, multi-occupancy, multi-level developments considered and delivered as essential infrastructure serviced by multi-modes of transport. A logistics park for the future; a destination.”

And beyond that? As serious investment continues to be ploughed into the exploration of mining and manufacturing in space, could the future of industrial and logistics lie off-world? It’s an intriguing thought and something James and Marcus will explore further during ‘The Architecture of Logistics’ on Tuesday 18 June at 11:10am.

The CILT International Centenary Convention is being held between 16-18 June 2019 at The Midland Hotel, Manchester.

James and Marcus will be speaking in a session entitled ‘The Architecture of Logistics’ at 11:10am Tuesday 18 June in the Innovation & Technology Stream located in the Stanley Room. Further information about the event can be found here: https://ciltuk.org.uk/Events/National-Events/CILT-Convention