Cannabis Facility Architectural Design Company Provides Tips For New Growers

Boulder, Colorado -

Surna (www.surna.com) has been a long-standing player in the cannabis industry, with years of experience in controlled environment agriculture and cannabis facility infrastructure. With a turnkey solution provider, Surna designs systems that optimize resource conservation to increase yields and decrease the costs of cultivation. Their comprehensive offerings include HVACD systems specific to cannabis facilities, Automation (Lighting, Humidity, CO2 & Nutrient Dosing Control Systems), dehumidification, water Treatment & commercial reclamation engineering, and structural engineering.

In a recent article titled, “Building a grow facility: Tips from a grow room architectural designer,” Surna outlines some of the primary pitfalls many new cultivators run into as well as differentiating the differences between specific functions of facility design.

When starting out, growers may be confused about the exact service or services they need. Often, growers just getting started with commercial cannabis growing do not fully understand the difference between architectural engineering and civil engineering. This may be because they both have to do with the design and construction of buildings and other structures; however, each of these disciplines has different focuses. Architectural engineering is more focused on the aesthetic aspects of a structure, while civil engineering is more focused on ensuring that a structure is safe and able to withstand loads and stresses.

"Choosing an architect with previous indoor cultivation projects will help ensure your design plans suit the unique needs of cultivation," Surna commented. Surna continued by stating, "someone who is experienced in controlled environment agriculture will understand the flow of operations of an efficient facility and will be able to account for unique requirements like secure entryways, coordination with the engineering team, mechanical and irrigation rooms, and the rooms necessary for the various stages of the plant cycle."

The average startup cost for a cannabis cultivation facility can vary dramatically, depending on the size and scope of the operation. Generally speaking, however, start-up costs will include the cost of construction or renovation of the grow space, the purchase of necessary equipment and infrastructure, and the hiring of initial staff. Additionally, in some cases, state regulations may also mandate additional costs, such as security measures and licensing fees. For larger-scale operations, additional costs may include those associated with marketing and distribution.

Surna stresses the importance of setting up a cannabis grow "the right way." Having a thorough understanding of any applicable zoning laws and other rules as well as ensuring the operation is by regional rules and ordinances is vital. Surna commented, stating, "From geography to labor costs to design and technology selections, it’s difficult to pin down exactly what the costs will be until you start diving in." When new growers fail to recognize the full scope of costs, they may find themselves in financial trouble down the road.

Surna has worked with some of the largest and most well-known brands in the cannabis industry and has a wealth of experience to share. When asked about lessons learned, Surna noted that one of the most common mistakes they see new cultivators make is failing to invest in quality equipment. Cannabis cultivation is a capital-intensive industry, and cultivators who choose to skimp on equipment often find themselves struggling to produce a quality product.

Parties interested in learning more about Surna Cultivation technologies and their services are encouraged to reach out via their website or connect on their social platforms, such as Facebook or Instagram.