Phoenixville PA Self Storage
Phoenixville, Pennsylvania · Independent
New construction of a six-story self-storage building on a difficult site requires problem-solving skills at a new level.
new-constructioncomplex-siteparking-challengesfire-rating-engineering
Highlights
- • Given existing site plan and design concept with community approval - no latitude to depart from scheme
- • Four-month deadline to create permit-ready construction documents
- • Irregular site shape affecting building footprint with complex parking requirements
- • First level utilized as garage due to lack of on-site parking (24 total spaces required, only 6 street spaces available)
- • Structural columns, roadway access, beam spans, and parking layout were interrelated like 'solving a Chinese puzzle'
- • Building height limited to 61 feet maximum - met requirements within one inch by manipulating floor heights and roof slope
- • Cost-saving brick veneer over insulated metal panels instead of all-brick exterior
- • Engineered fire ratings strategically - three-hour rated garage and two levels above, with fourth level slab as three-hour podium allowing non-rated construction above
- • Eliminated need for spray fireproofing and column wrapping on upper three floors
Zoning & Context
Irregularly shaped site with strict height limitations (61 feet maximum) and parking requirements (24 spaces total with only 6 available on street).
Approvals Timeline
- • Site Analysis + Engineering Coordination -> 6 weeks
- • Structural Design + Parking Solution -> 8 weeks
- • Permit Set + Fire Rating Engineering -> 10 weeks
Lessons Learned
- • Structural, parking, and circulation elements are completely interrelated on complex sites
- • Height restrictions require precise floor-to-floor coordination and roof slope manipulation
- • Strategic fire rating engineering can significantly reduce construction costs
- • Brick veneer over metal panels provides desired aesthetics at lower cost than solid masonry