THE SANAND FACTORY OF THE STUDIO SAAR IN AHMEDABAD, INDIA

4.1 THE CASE STUDY OF THE SANAND FACTORY OF THE STUDIO SAAR IN AHMEDABAD, INDIA

Sanand Factory, designed by Studio Saar in Gujarat, India, examines how a Factory may go beyond being environmentally sustainable to also being happier and more confident for its employees. On the location of a former lakebed, the new factory is being constructed. It has a seasonal Lake with varying depths depending on the season. Secure Meters, an electronics manufacturer that works in the automobile industry, also commissioned the facility.

4.1.1 THE MODERN INDUSTRIAL FACTORY

4.1.2 REIMAGNING FACTORY ARCHITECTURE

Secure Sanand was built in stages by Jonny Buckland and Ananya Singhal, architects and founding directors of Studio Saar, to allow manufacturing to begin in fewer than nine months. The architects sketched out the concept by developing an ambitious design that aim to establish an inclusive atmosphere for workers that promotes communication and collaboration while breaking down silos and combating the intense sense of hierarchy that is commonly prevalent in manufacturing workplaces.

4.1.3 INCORPORATING GREENERY AND WATER HARVESTING INTO THE SCHEME

In Gujarat, a primary function industrial facility for electronics company secure meters has a unique architectural identity that combines ecological design with resident wellbeing.

While global design sensibilities have long since moved away from the starkness and absolute effectiveness related manufacturing architecture and structures, now taking into account factors such as employee well-being and even recreation, an electronics manufacturing facility in an industrial town in Gujarat triumphs by purely taking account a a number of humanistic factors in addition to those. It is normal for an overwhelming size of operations and a fairly rigorous sense of a function over aesthetic to take over the design process in developments like these, imparting a minimalistic, utilitarian look from the start. Secure Sanand, on the other hand, and admirably so, straddles the line between embodying a historical version of a formerly cruel building and inducing few provisions for its occupants along the war, adjusting to a different adverse Indian setting and climate. Secure Sanand carves its own path by veering away from a normal industrial identity, even if unwittingly, and focused instead on trying to break down scale without sacrificing function.

Figure 11 The Structure also houses massive halls that can be repurposed to fit other purposes (by Ankit Jain)

According to the design team of Indian architecture firm at studio Saar, the site’s master plan includes separate zones for manufacturing, staff recreation, and visitors, “breaking down silos and addressing the strong sense of hierarchy frequently prevalent in manufacturing work spaces”. The primary manufacturing facility, service bay, canteen and entertainment centre, and reception building are among the plants-built structures. While the production facility and utility bay are primarily functional, with several hints to a strong artistic sensibility of the industrial, the canteen and reception buildings leave more room for architectural expression, both in terms of form and spatiality.

The facility’s design and planning concepts also prioritise employee wellbeing, reflecting on the clients’ strong views and philosophy on the subject, with the same attention paid to operations.

The facility is built on a 25-acre site that has been repurposed and designated for industrial development.