The North American cannabis industry is bigger than it’s ever been, and that means there’s a growing demand for buildings designed specifically for cannabis cultivation and processing. These cannabis facilities are purpose-built to meet the unique needs of the cannabis plant, from controlled humidity and temperature to ample airflow and high-tech security systems.
Properly designing a cannabis facility is incredibly important to the success of your business. But designating a building as a cannabis facility isn’t as simple as slapping a new coat of paint on an old warehouse. These structures must be specifically engineered to support the growing operations within in relation to climate control, water & waste management, processing and extraction activities, and odor control systems.
Whether you are trying to meet the requirements of a local cannabis code, those of your state, or working within the guidelines of your own business, it is essential that your facility design and construction be done properly.
So what exactly does proper cannabis facility architectural design entail? Let’s dive in for an in-depth understanding of architectural design.
What Is Cannabis Facility Architectural Design?
Cannabis facility architectural design is the process of designing buildings and spaces for cannabis production. Architects who specialize in this type of design need to be familiar with the specific needs of cannabis growers, as well as the regulations that govern their operations. They also need to be able to create spaces that are functional, efficient, and safe.
When it comes to cannabis facility design, there are a few things to keep in mind. For starters, the layout of the facility should be designed in a way that allows for easy workflow and maximum efficiency, especially taking the plant’s growth cycle and post-harvest processing activities into consideration when designing room layouts. As cannabis is transferred from seedling/clone stage, to veg, and on to flower, the proximity and access from room to room should make functional sense.
The cultivation spaces should be designed to allow for adequate lighting and airflow. It should also be sized appropriately to meet your requirements for plants per square foot while also taking into consideration space for aisleways and irrigation and climate control systems.
When designing a cannabis facility, architects must take into account the needs of the growers, processors, and retailers who will be using the space, as well as the regulatory requirements of the jurisdiction in which the facility will be located.
If you’re designing a new facility from scratch, it’s best to engage with an experienced cannabis facility architect. This is someone who has already served as an architect on projects specifically within the cannabis industry, helping them ensure all aspects of cannabis facility architectural design are taken into account.
To learn more about the role that architectural design plays in your grow facility, check out our free guide published in Cannabis Business Times.
What Services Does Surna Offer?
Surna Cultivation Technologies is a full-service indoor ag company that offers a wide range of products and services for indoor farms. Our team of experts has a deep understanding of both the legal landscape and the needs of the cannabis industry, and we are here to help our clients succeed.
At Surna, we are proud to have a team of experienced architects and MEP engineers who are experts in cannabis. Having served indoor cannabis growers for over 15 years, we have seen it all.Â
From the planning to execution to commissioning, we will be with you offering expertise, top-notch technology, and reliable service for your projects.
How Did Surna Get Started in Cannabis Facility and Architectural Design?
When Surna was founded in 2006, no one could have predicted what the cannabis industry was really poised to do. Husband and wife co-founders Brandy and Stephen Keen took a risk to pursue a business that would help cannabis cultivators grow more efficiently, inspired by cannabis’ medicinal effect on Stephen’s epilepsy.
As the industry continued to grow, we added a mechanical engineering department and continued to build our product and services offering from there. This was the beginning of our migration from an equipment manufacturer to provide a whole solution, including architecture and floor planning.
It has always been our goal to be an educational resource for the industry, so we would lay out all the options with an honest assessment of the pros and cons of any approach. We continued to expand our product lines to offer our clients more and more options to fit their specific needs and to continuously improve energy efficiencies and operability.
What Kind of Design Services Does Surna Offer for Cannabis Cultivation Facilities?
Today we are a full-scale facility design firm, manufacturer, and provider of HVAC equipment, and implementer of all components. We provide architectural services, MEP drawings, support permitting, and coordinate with other design disciplines as needed. We ensure that our client gets the best possible price for the mechanical equipment called out on drawings by leveraging our own manufacturing power along with our buying power with other manufacturers.
We drive down the cost of controls by deeply understanding the intent of the mechanical design—resulting in less design time, no waste, and faster implementation of systems to improve our clients’ time to market. We can monitor and review the performance of our clients’ climate systems, ensuring that performance is optimized and clients are informed if something needs attention.Â
We work closely with the construction trades onsite to make sure that installation is done correctly and corners aren’t cut. And we have a boots-on-the-ground team that starts everything up, ensuring that it’s working as designed. And if it’s not, we figure out why, and we make sure it gets corrected.Â
Surna is committed to providing first-class services and products to this evolving industry.Â
What Are Some of the Benefits of Working With Surna on Your Next Project?
Our direct experience with so many cultivation facilities, and the coordination requirements between engineering trades, put us in a unique position to be able to provide significant value to our clients this way. And with that being said, we’re able to offer a wide range of services for our clients which are beneficial for their growth.
A Comprehensive Approach
Surna offers a full range of services, from concept development to construction coordination support, so you can be confident that your project is in good hands from start to finish.
Commitment to Quality and Track Record of Success
Surna is dedicated to building high-quality cultivation facilities that meet the specific needs of our clients. This commitment to quality ensures that your facility will be able to meet your expectations for years to come.
With over 15 years of experience in the cannabis industry, Surna has a proven track record of successful projects. This experience gives them the knowledge to handle any challenges that may arise during your project.
How to Get in Touch With Surna
In over 15 years of business, we’ve been involved in nearly a thousand cultivation projects, including hundreds of commercial-scale cultivation facilities across the U.S. and Canada.Â
We offer our cannabis-specific expertise in architectural design, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) engineering design, HVAC systems, and controls & automation for controlled environment agriculture, and beyond.
Are you looking for a collaborative partner in cannabis facility design? Contact us today to get connected with an expert.
