Whether you are an avid shopper or just traveling around town, examples of retail engineering projects are everywhere you look!  Retail engineers help construct retail outlets, shopping centers, and other commercial space dedicated to the retail customer.

Retail engineering projects can range from a single, standalone store to an entire shopping center or even mixed developments that include both housing and retail.

How retail space is created

Retail engineering relies on a unique combination of engineering skills and competencies to successfully put a project together. Those include all of those used in a commercial project but more tightly focused on the retail environment.

Most projects begin with a detailed planning review which takes all of the clients’ considerations into account. Planning addresses the client’s goals, objectives and restrictions and coordinates those with land restrictions, zoning considerations and items like required parking. A detailed engineering plan is then developed.

After the engineering plan is developed, the next step usually involves surveying which is a necessary step for establishing boundaries, heights, grades and other important measurement information.

Other considerations

Depending on the type of projects there may be many different types of factors to consider.  For instance, on larger projects road design may be important as sometimes roads must be adjusted to accommodate traffic flow and to insure proper access and egress from the retail facility.  Changes in roadways almost always have to be approved and coordinated with local authorities.

In all cases attention must be paid to governmental requirements including zoning, permitting, and traffic concerns. In heavy traffic areas like Washington, DC or Northern Virginia, attending to all required paperwork, zoning, permitting and regulations can be difficult and demanding for retail facilities.

Firms like the Engineering Groupe have the experience and expertise to complete difficult retail engineering projects even around demanding area like Washington and urbanized Virginia. Hiring an experienced firm with the skill sets needed is the only sound option for retail engineering.