Alberta's agriculture industry is an anchor of the province's economy. With farms in Alberta reporting $22.2 billion in farm operating revenues in 2020, this is still on the upward trend four years on. Additionally, it’s worth noting that as of 2020, oilseed and grain farms made up the largest share of farm revenues.
Indeed, the ample sunshine and rich soil have meant fertile ground and rich crops for decades, if not centuries of agribusiness in Alberta.
As the industry grows and evolves, so too must the infrastructure that supports it – centuries-old farming families and agribusiness experts aren’t using equipment that was around way back when! No, they’ve upgraded and changed with the dynamic landscape of agriculture.
Enter design-build construction – a streamlined, efficient approach to building that consistently meets the unique needs of agricultural projects in Alberta.
Understanding Design-Build Construction
The design-build construction method is a project delivery system where a single entity – typically the design-build contractor – handles both the design and construction phases.
This contrasts with traditional methods that separate these phases and involve multiple contracts and companies – something that can get a bit confusing and require more involvement from you, the project owner.
With the design-build approach, our clients enjoy streamlined communication and a much better and clearer collaborative experience. Additionally, because the design-build process is so much more efficient, projects generally tend to see faster, on-budget completion times.
When it comes to agricultural projects like renovations, upgrades, and new builds, design-build in Alberta has increasingly gained traction due to the adaptable and effective nature of this project process.
How Design-Build Supports Our Agricultural Partners
Agricultural projects generally have tight schedules and turnaround requirements to avoid disrupting daily operations and upcoming planting and harvest seasons.
In the majority of cases, a design-build approach will accelerate a project timeline, which ensures that facilities are ready for use when needed most. This efficiency helps minimize downtime and maintain productivity.
Design-build also allows for high levels of customization and flexibility – this is absolutely essential for farmers and agribusiness partners looking to scale and meet the demands of the next few decades.
Because of the continuous collaboration between designers and builders, we have the ability to use the latest in construction techniques and materials to create durable and efficient agricultural structures.
Overcoming Challenges with Design-Build
Agricultural projects are often located in remote areas, which can pose obvious logistical challenges. The design-build approach can effectively temper any logistical risks by coordinating transportation and delivery of materials and equipment ahead of time.
It’s also important to note that within these specific projects, compliance with agricultural regulations and safety standards is critical. The design-build approach ensures that all legal requirements are identified and met well ahead of schedule and that the highest safety standards are maintained throughout the project.
Working With SWMW Is an Investment In Your Future
When we discuss preparing for the future, it’s more than just ensuring your buildings are built to last for years and ensuring they can store as much product as possible – future agricultural buildings will likely incorporate smart farming tech like automated systems, IoT devices, and data analytics to enhance productivity and efficiency.
Yet, when it comes to buildings, it’s important to be aware that long-lasting building materials tend to lean towards modular and prefabricated materials. These building methods and materials offer fast turnaround times and lots of flexibility with function and form.
At SWMW, we do everything we can to make our building projects as sustainable as possible. This can look like separating waste materials so that metal and plastic scrap material is disposed of properly, which reduces the amount of construction debris headed to the landfill.
We know that sustainability will continue to be an important component of construction, with future design-build projects focusing on renewable energy sources, water conservation, and eco-friendly building practices.
Chat with the SWMW team today!
Through our experience with design-build in Alberta, we’re here to help our agricultural clients and partners with their unique requirements, so that they can greet this booming sector with room to scale!
Consider the SWMW team for an unmatched customer experience and efficient and timely project execution. Get in touch with the Southwest and Midwest Design & Construction team – and we’ll help bring your project to life.
Use our handy online quote request tool or fill out our convenient contact form and a member of our team will be in touch as soon as possible!