Case Study

IKEA Bang Yai

Maximizing Parking Capacity with Long-Span Hollow Core Slabs

Project Type

Retail & Commercial Development

Location

Bang Yai, Nonthaburi, Thailand

Structural System

Prestressed Hollow Core Slabs

Span

16.0 metres

Slab Thickness

400 mm

Project Overview

Located adjacent to Central WestGate in Nonthaburi, IKEA Bang Yai was developed as the world's first IKEA store fully integrated with a shopping centre. Covering more than 60,000 square metres, it was also the largest IKEA store in Southeast Asia at the time of construction.

The development required a highly efficient structural solution capable of supporting large retail floor areas while maximizing parking capacity for thousands of daily visitors.

Rather than following the original structural concept, the project team sought an alternative that would improve both construction efficiency and long-term operational performance.

The Challenge

Like many large retail developments, parking efficiency was one of the project's most important design objectives.

Traditional structural systems required:

More intermediate beams
More internal columns
Reduced parking flexibility
Longer construction schedules
Greater coordination during construction

Every additional column reduces parking efficiency by limiting vehicle circulation and decreasing usable parking layouts.

The challenge was to create larger unobstructed parking areas while maintaining structural performance and accelerating construction.

The VCON Solution

VCON proposed replacing the original bridge girder floor system with 400 mm prestressed hollow core slabs spanning 16 metres.

The long-span capability significantly reduced the number of intermediate beams and supporting columns throughout the parking structure.

The result was a structural system that provided:

Longer clear spans
Fewer internal columns
Improved parking layouts
Greater architectural flexibility
Faster installation
Reduced structural weight

By optimizing the floor system, the project achieved greater functional efficiency without compromising structural performance.

Engineering Benefits

More Parking Spaces

The 16-metre span allowed larger column spacing, creating more efficient parking layouts.

Benefits included:

Increased parking capacity
Easier vehicle circulation
Improved driver visibility
Greater flexibility for future parking layouts

For retail developments, maximizing parking capacity directly improves customer convenience and commercial value.

Reduced Structural Depth

Using prestressed hollow core slabs eliminated many intermediate beams.

This simplified the structural framing while providing:

Cleaner soffits
Better MEP coordination
Reduced structural congestion
Greater flexibility for building services

Accelerated Construction

Because the hollow core slabs were manufactured off-site while other construction activities continued, installation progressed rapidly once the supporting structure was complete.

Replacing the original bridge girder solution with VCON's hollow core system helped reduce the structural construction programme from approximately one year to only three months, significantly accelerating project delivery.

Material Efficiency

The hollow core design reduced concrete consumption compared with equivalent solid concrete systems while maintaining the required structural capacity.

Benefits included:

Reduced dead load
Lower material consumption
Improved transportation efficiency
Faster installation
Lower embodied carbon

Why Long Spans Matter for Parking Structures

Parking structures benefit from long-span floor systems because they maximize usable floor area.

Longer spans allow designers to:

Reduce internal columns
Improve traffic flow
Increase parking efficiency
Simplify wayfinding
Improve flexibility for future modifications

These operational advantages often provide long-term value that extends well beyond the structural cost of the building.

VCON's One-Stop Precast Solution

The success of IKEA Bang Yai demonstrates the value of integrating engineering, manufacturing, logistics, and installation under one organization.

For this project, VCON provided a complete precast solution that supported every stage of project delivery, including:

Structural engineering support
Shop drawing coordination
Precision manufacturing
Transportation planning
On-site installation

By combining these services, VCON helped simplify project coordination, reduce construction risks, and accelerate completion.

Project Highlights

Item	Detail
Project	IKEA Bang Yai
Location	Nonthaburi, Thailand
Building Type	Retail & Shopping Centre
Floor Area	60,000+ m²
Structural System	Prestressed Hollow Core Slabs
Slab Thickness	400 mm
Maximum Span	16.0 metres
Primary Benefit	Reduced beams and columns
Result	Increased parking efficiency
Construction Benefit	Structural programme reduced from approximately 1 year to 3 months

Looking Beyond the Structure

For retail developments, structural design influences far more than building stability. It affects parking capacity, customer experience, construction schedules, and long-term operational efficiency.

By replacing the original bridge girder concept with long-span prestressed hollow core slabs, VCON delivered a structural solution that optimized both construction and building performance.

Today, the IKEA Bang Yai project stands as an example of how innovative precast engineering can create tangible value—not only through faster construction, but also by maximizing usable space and enhancing the functionality of one of Southeast Asia's largest retail developments.

Start Your Project

Prestressed hollow core slabs have become one of the most efficient structural floor systems available for modern construction. Their ability to combine speed, structural performance, fire resistance, acoustic comfort, and sustainability makes them an ideal choice for projects where quality and schedule certainty are essential.

Whether you're planning a residential tower, commercial development, manufacturing facility, logistics center, warehouse, or data center, VCON's engineering team can help you develop the most efficient precast solution for your project.

Contact VCON to learn how our integrated design, manufacturing, transportation, and installation services can support your next development.