Asda, Didcot

McLaren have recently completed their first Ambient Distribution Centre for ASDA in Didcot, Oxfordshire.Initially awarded the base build project, Mclaren successfully secured the fit out works through two stagetendering, to deliver the overall project in thirty two weeks.

The new distribution centre comprises of more than 410,000 sq ft of warehouse space, and an office areacomprising of 29,000 sq ft. The new centre is dedicated to the storage of dried goods, such as tinned foods,and will be served by a state-of-the-art recycling area. This development replaces the Asda warehouse atSouthmead Industrial Estate, on the outskirts of Oxford. The Southmead warehouse current employs fourhundred staff, each position will be relocated to Didcot, and four hundred  new jobs  will be created as a resultof the move to larger, more advanced premises.

The development is based on a double-height warehouse space, with a ridge height of 13.5m broken up byracking. A two-storey office hub is contained within the envelope of the building, directly alongside the warehousespace.  The warehouse interior comprises of a ground bearing concrete floor slab, and individual rooms in theoffice which are divided using either metal stud partitions or 'cold box' construction. The offices are fitted withtimber doors & double glazed windows & house facilities including restaurant, office facilities & gymnasium.

The scheme required extensive co-ordination of ASDA directly procured contractors integral to the buildprocess, which were subsequently managed by McLaren Construction. In alliance to ASDA's own strategyMcLaren's sustainability was key to this project & included cut & fill exercise resulting in no arising beingtransported off site, energy wall paneling to heat & cool the offices.