British Airways Cargo appointed Atkins as the multidisciplinary design consultant for the expansion of their cargo hub at Heathrow.

Atkins automated and mechanised every possible cargo process and storage/retrieval function, enabling more than 60% reduction in direct labour, saving money and building volumes, while high-bay storage halved the building footprint. The Atkins' design team ensured the automated building, measuring 300m long, 105m wide and 35m high, also makes a striking architectural statement.

An interesting feature of the design has been the cladding. The cladding panels incorporate ‘stealth technology’ and a saw tooth profile on the north elevation which reduces the radar image of the building.

• Architecture
• Building services engineering
• Civil engineering
• Geotechnical engineering

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