ACS Logistics Hub

Uninterrupted movement

The logistics center is situated on a 27,000-square-meter plot, strategically positioned near the National Highway, Attiki Odos, and the center of Athens. Its location ensures the seamless and efficient transportation of shipments via the port of Piraeus, Athens International Airport, and the national road network. The building’s external form is directly shaped by its function, allowing the various uses and transitions within the building to be clearly “read” from the outside.

Functional Layout

The urban planning parameters of the area allowed for the development of a ground-level sorting hub with a minimum area of 10,000 m². This space was designed to offer maximum flexibility for loading and unloading -a core operational requirement for the company- as well as a large underground parking facility. All primary operations have been consolidated into a single building.

With a total built area of 33,000 m², the facility is organized across three levels. The basement houses a spacious parking area with a capacity for 242 vehicles and infrastructure for electric vehicle charging, functioning as a fully integrated extension of the ground floor, where the main sorting center is located. Adjacent to the main entrance is the customer service area, where the company’s new corporate identity for its retail network was implemented for the first time. On the upper level, the building hosts administrative and staff offices, meeting and presentation rooms with a capacity of 250 people, as well as dining facilities for employees.

Design Philosophy

The project’s primary objective was to create a modern and highly functional sorting hub capable of meeting the company’s growing needs. The uninterrupted and efficient flow of goods within the facility was paramount, especially given the presence of large-scale sorting machinery and the high number of loading and unloading docks along the building’s perimeter. These requirements became the core around which the design process was structured. The facility follows a clear rectangular footprint of 120mx 82m. Within this framework, a system of conveyor belts distributes shipments to and from the perimeter docks. The innovative steel structural system enables reduced column dimensions, allowing for larger open spans, which enhance the building’s flexibility and operational efficiency.

Sustainability Approach & Lighting

Energy efficiency and environmental performance were key design drivers, resulting in a Net-Zero Energy Building certified in the A+ category. Photovoltaic panels with a capacity of 1MW have been installed on the building’s roof, significantly offsetting the annual electricity consumption. The building also allows for independent operation of each functional unit, optimizing energy consumption based on usage patterns. All machinery and equipment were selected based on their energy efficiency and performance.

Natural daylighting is maximized through the use of light tubes in all office areas and selected common spaces. High-efficiency LED lighting, controlled by occupancy and motion sensors, provides artificial illumination in common areas and the parking garage. In addition, a comprehensive monitoring system was installed to oversee critical energy consumption points, allowing for continuous optimization of the building’s energy performance.

During the construction phase, significant archaeological findings were uncovered. Two major artifacts have been preserved and are now on display within the basement, while, in collaboration with the archaeological service, additional methods are being explored to showcase smaller ceramic findings discovered on-site.