• Explore National Storage Dubbo in 3D.
  • Looking up at National Storage Dubbo front exterior facade with
  • Interior of an 8×3m storage unit
  • A 7m wide interior driveway with Aztec Yellow roller doors on each side and jarrah building structure above.
  • A 5.5m wide interior driveway with Aztec Yellow roller doors on each side and jarrah building structure above.
  • The interior of a 5.5×3m storage unit with an interior driveway on the left.
  • The interior of a 5×3m storage unit with a jarrah column running through the unit cover and down the left-hand side of the partition wall.
  • A woman raising the Aztec Yellow roller door to a storage unit.
  • The interior corridor of National Storage Dubbo flanked on either side by Aztec Yellow roller doors.
  • A 1.5m wide interior corridor of National Storage Dubbo.
  • The gloss ceiling of a storage corridor cut around the existing jarrah wood column at National Storage Dubbo.

Storco Systems: Self storage fit out, building renovation

Developer: MAAS Group

Client: National Storage

National Storage Dubbo South, Dubbo NSW

Location

National Storage Dubbo South is a unique single level self storage facility built inside a repurposed WW2-era igloo. The structure is one of four igloos on the site of the former RAAF Stores, all of which were heritage-listed in 2004.

The site enjoys a prime location. Dubbo city sits at the intersection of three arterial roads that serve regional NSW: the Mitchell, Golden, and Newell Highways. The facility is one turn from the adjacent Mitchell Highway that links Orange, Dubbo, and Narromine.

The facility is one of many across NSW commissioned by seasoned developer MAAS Group.

Building structure

National Storage Dubbo South has a large 7,115m² building footprint. The building is made of corrugated iron sheet cladding enclosing a jarrah timber structure. A substantial amount of this 80-year-old structure can still be seen from the facility’s interior as the hardwood columns rise to meet the exposed arched trusses.

The exterior signage has a khaki design to both match the aesthetic of the structure and be evocative of the building’s original purpose.

The building sports a pair of large roller doors on each side that provide access to the driveways that run around the interior perimeter of the facility. These driveways are 5.5m wide along one side and 7m wide along the other. This ensures ample turning room for vehicles navigating the interior and provides drive-up access to over 58% of the storage units.

Self storage fit out

The single level facility has 266 storage units and an average net lettable area of 62%. The majority of the units are 3×3m, however, it also sports units as small as 2.5×1.5m and as large as 8×6m. These larger units are primarily along the facility’s exterior walls to allow vehicle and bulky goods storage.

The storage fit out is comprised of Gloss White V5000 corridor walls and Aztec Yellow roller and swing doors. A row of hardwood timber buffer rail and rounded aluminium corners protect the corridor walls from impacts during move-ins.

The lofty arched trusses and surrounding local flora make the facility an attractive spot for birds. The storage units and corridors all have sealed unit covers to minimise the risk of birds accessing the units. The storage units use Safeguard Seal for the unit covering and the storage corridors utilise Gloss Ceilings that, in addition to protecting against avian visitors, help reflect interior lights.

Evidence of the building’s original structure can be seen throughout the storage fit out. Many units and corridors have cut-outs to accommodate the thick hardwood columns that make up the building structure. Although it was painstaking work to get the steel sheet flush against the timber, the result is a unique design that seamlessly blends 80-year-old wartime construction practices and contemporary manufacturing and fit out aesthetics.

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