Step by Step Guide to Modular Storage (Ironteeth)

With this guide you'll learn how to create an efficient storage layout using a module that can be vertically stacked to an indefinite height and combined horizontally to form large structures.

Introduction - Why modular storage matters

Contrary to belief, the best way to minimize the impact that storage has on your real estate is not to create very tall and awful-looking towers of warehouses, but rather to arrange your storage buildings over a large area in a way that allows for other things to be placed on top. This is where modular storage becomes relevant: having a design that can be stacked vertically and also chained to form large structures will make your life that much easier if you're looking for efficient storage solutions.

Creating the Thing, Step by Step

This section will illustrate, step by step, how to create a chainable, stackable module and how to compose multiple copies of it to form large structures. Finally, I'll show you an easy way to deliver power to all the buildings placed on the top floor.

1. The Base Module

   The base unit is 2 storeys in height and has the size of four Industrial Piles, plus the paths around it.
   
   • The image below shows how to ceate the first storey: 3 Industrial Piles forming a letter "L", each of them facing in a different direction. In the last spot fit in a Medium Warehouse and a Small Warehouse and then fill the remaining gap with 2 platforms; create "roadbumps" on each side using stairs and platforms, away from the entrances of the buildings
     

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   • Procede with the upper storey: place 3 piles on top of the others so that they are connected to the road; again, place a warehouse and a small warehouse in the remaining spot; then connect a staircase to the path and add a platform, as shown below:
     

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   • The base module is now finished.
   
   
   

2. The Mirrored Module

   In order to chain the modules with one another, you will need to alternate between a regular version and a mirrored version.
   To create the mirrored module follow the same steps as before, but everything will have to be mirrored across the axis highlighted in the image below:
   

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   To have staircases more spread out you can also have the warehouses+staircase part be placed always in the same corner, as shown below. This is equivalent to a mirroring+90° rotation.
   

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3. Creating Large Structures

   
   
   • To stack vertically: build double platforms on top of the paths, then add storeys by repeating the same steps you already know (with some slight variations on the warehouse corners, due to the presence of stairs)
     

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     The module can be stacked on itself an indefinite amount of times
     

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   • To chain horizontally: Alternate between the Regular and the Mirrored version, both within lines and within columns, as shown below.
     

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     You can replace any number of Industrial Piles with Large Warehouses, Hydroponic Gardens, Bot Parts Factories or Large Barracks
     
     
     In order to deliver power and transmit it vertically, either through Bot Parts Factories or housing, you will need to make a small adjustment at the base to accomodate a power shaft
     

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4. Placing things on top and connecting them with power shafts

   In this last section of this chapter we will see how to arrange buildings on the top floor and deliver power to them.
   
   • Start by filling with platforms and double platforms, as appropriate
     

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   • Add paths, forming squares that outline the modules
     

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   • Now, to use space with the most efficiency while also adding tanks to the top layer, you can follow the steps shown below: 1. Delete part of the path and create “roadbumps” (stair+platform+stair) at each side of a road junction, near a staircase; 2. Place double platforms above the stairs, then normal platforms so that you have an area of 2x2 or 3x3 (vary the size according to your needs); 3. You can add the tanks now.
     Then, you can repeat the same at every road junction that is close to a staircase
     

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   • With this layout, transferring power along a column (the vertical direction in the images) is made really easy by running power shafts underneath the tanks. To propagate power from column to column you will only need a single power shaft between each column, and this is achieved by creating a roadbump with a power shaft underneath, just make sure that you’re not blocking the entrance of any building. Here I tried to highlight the power network. The big square is where the top layer receives power from a bot part factory placed underneath.
     

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   • If you want you can also add medical beds under the tanks
     

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   • In the image below I show the end result in its entirety. Of course, this is just an example and you can place whichever buildings you prefer in the way you prefer.
     

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   If you were able to follow up to this point, congratulations, you've done it! Your industrial abomination is now complete!

Some ideas post Update 6

Update 6 offers cheaper and more versatile platforms and adds overhangs to the game; these two things allow for an even more efficient use of space. The first and most obvious thing that can be done is to elevate the entire structure above the ground, leaving just a few points of access while the rest can be fields, forested areas or other buildings.

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You can also use overhangs combined with 3x3 platforms to place large water tanks along the perimeter, it's very easy to do:

• Place 3-long overhangs as you see here
  

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• Add 3x3 metal platforms
  

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• And finally place the tanks
  

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Conclusion

If I made some grammatical or linguistic blunders throughout this guide, please notify me in the comments right below, but also forgive me, English is not my native language. Also, let me know in case one or more of the steps are not clear enough and I will try to fix that too.
See ya!

[Phoenix09]

How to build a hive city.

[Twister]

That's how humans did it and look where they are now ...

[dmedmond]

Did not know you could do that

[Kobey]

what exactly does it do and how many beavers does it take to do it?

[Saransen]

I using it, but for now i found it difficult to mix with lodges

[<Gun4Higher>]

thats one heck of an idustrial complex

[Tatala]

really find this useful, thanks