PROJECT
What makes the project unique is that it is an extension of an existing large distribution centre, resulting in the 5th-longest DC in the world, and that the new build section was fast-tracked while ordinary Woolworths operations continued in the legacy part of the building.
Key statistics
According to Project Architect Stephen Atkinson, a Director of R & L Architects, the extended building is one of the continent’ s largest single structures. In gross leasable area( GLA), it is second only to the DC of a well-known consumer retail group based in Centurion. It is 120m wide and stretches just short of 1.1km in length.“ The existing warehouse was about 80 000m ² prior, and we’ ve now expanded to a total of ± 140 000m ², equaling 19 full-size rugby fields under one roof!” says Atkinson. The net result is that by length, the DC numbers among the top five continuous buildings on Earth – just behind Tesla’ s Giga Texas and Volkswagen’ s Wolfsburg plant. And globally, it likely ranks within the top 10-20 by total single-roof area.
Project overview
• The Steel Awards 2025 judges took note of the client brief to create the most economical and robust warehousing facility that could facilitate the distribution of a whole range of goods from receiving them to being transported onto retail store shelving – using structural steel and cladding.
• Atkinson notes that the architectural vision was to create a high-performance logistics facility that could adapt to future needs.
• The main warehouse structure comprises full-height reinforced concrete columns, spaced at 8.55m centre-to-centre along the eave ends, and between 5-7.5m at the gable ends to accommodate varying structural demands. Each 8.55m truss frame functions as a large portal frame, designed to resist lateral forces through its outer faces. Internally, girders support the trusses and contribute to lateral stability along the building ' s longitudinal axis.
“ This warehouse extension adjoins an existing structure, so we designed and installed separation joints to isolate the new portion. To maintain structural compatibility, the new section employs a bracing system. The system is both vertical and horizontal and mirrors the existing warehouse. This approach ensures effective structural independence while preserving overall integrity. Meanwhile, the smaller buildings on the site utilise a hybrid structural system,” he explains.
www. tobuild. co. za | autumn 2026 21