Dealership to distribution center
This project transformed an auto dealership into a fully functioning fulfillment center and office space.
Key Partners
- HPA Architecture
- Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety
- Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
Confidential
CONTRACT VALUE
20 Weeks
SCHEDULE
365,000
SQUARE FEET
2020
YEAR COMPLETED
80,000
GALLON STORMTECH DRAINAGE SYSTEM
This distribution center facilitates the operations that allow online orders to be delivered to customers in an organized and timely fashion.
Client Goals
The HITT project team demolished the interior space of an existing car dealership and repositioned the space into a fully functioning distribution center. This confidential e-commerce client uses this new space to receive, process, and fulfill online customer orders.
Design Vision
This space does not mirror the design of your typical distribution center with dark and cold tones. HPA Architecture transformed the space into a welcoming and colorful environment to enhance the employee experience. Throughout the space there are pops of bright colors and graphics that not only appeal to the eye, but make the warehouse organized and easy to navigate.
Construction Focus
This project was executed by a true dream team—collaboration was key in taking action to achieve project success. As one of the first large and complex repositioning projects for HITT’s Los Angeles-based team, multiple superintendents and operations team members came together to finish the project on-time, building meaningful relationships along the way.
Automatic High-speed Doors
The team installed seven new high-speed doors that automatically open and close as trucks enter and exit the building. This required extensive quality and safety testing to ensure the door locations provided ample space for truck turn radius.
High Methane Zone
This facility is located in a high-methane zone, requiring underground utilities to be installed using special safety procedures. The team utilized trenches to protect the construction team members from exposure to harmful gases.
New City Transformer
The HITT team collaborated with the LA Department of Building and Safety and the LA Department of Water and Power to install a new city transformer to run the facility, requiring extensive coordination with the community as local power shutdowns were needed during install.
This project exemplified our commitment to the client, their vision, and their schedule. Not only did HITT deliver the project on-time, but we remained flexible and transparent when changes and challenges arose throughout the project.
Unique Challenges, Smart Solutions
Ambitious projects require carefully constructed solutions
Challenge #1
Necessary permits were delayed due to the pandemic.
Solution
The HITT team expressed the urgency and importance of getting the project started as soon as possible to the city inspectors, which resulted in the city allowing us to begin construction before the permit was issued, saving valuable time.
Challenge #2
The project was under construction during peak wildfire season in Northern California.
Solution
There were extremely high winds during California’s wildfire season in the midst of construction. The HITT team used extra sandbags and pile drove poles into the ground for temporary fencing to avoid flying debris that could cause injury or damage.
Challenge #3
The project is located in a part of the city that has experienced construction site break-ins and vandalism.
Solution
To provide high security, we arranged for overnight security during the duration of the project, as well as Barton Integration motion detected cameras that would notify the proper personnel, if needed.
Challenge #4
There were many trade workers on the site in the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Solution
HITT employed three full-time cleaners to ensure all surfaces, bathrooms, and working areas were sanitized throughout construction. Site Metrics, a program that tracks team members on-site, was deployed so that if there was a positive COVID-19 case, the team could identify who may have been in close contact with that person and take the proper measures to prevent an outbreak.
The Process
The Fulfillment Process
From the conveyor belt to the delivery truck, this is how e-commerce customers’ orders transition from the web to their mailbox.
Entry check-in station where employees have their temperature taken for COVID-19 safety precautions and swipe their security badge for access inside the facility. Entry check-in station where employees have their temperature taken for COVID-19 safety precautions and swipe their security badge for access inside the facility.
Packages are unloaded from the truck and places on the conveyer belt to be sorted by zip code.
The packages are sorted and stored by zip code and ready to be picked up for delivery.
The packages are loaded onto the delivery trucks to leave the site through the automatic high-speed doors for final delivery to the customer.
Results
Behind the Scenes
The people behind the package
This socially-distanced kitchen allows team members to safely relax and dine.
The locker room provides team members a secure place to store their belongings throughout the workday.
Colorful motivational graphics are painted throughout the facility.
This space features a classroom where team members can attend hands-on training sessions.
Key Team Members
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