Accurativ Factory

A new image through architectural design

The design brief called for a new image to a chemical manufacturing facility which consists of a few main spaces: warehouse area for production and storage, chemical laboratory, administration and offices area, meeting rooms, cafeteria, and lounge area. Being a chemical company with more than 20 years of experience in the chemicals for the latex-related industries, the clients decided to look for an architect to design this new facility to strengthen their brand identity. They desire to create a different environment that can achieve two main objectives: i) to generate a comfortable and welcoming environment for potential customers especially the ones from overseas, ii) to create a conducive environment for the employees. To accomplish that, the architect and the clients went on an interesting journey of design exploration together, brainstorming ways to break away the typical impression of a manufacturing facility that could be dull and characterless due to its functional and utilitarian nature.

Courtyard as the heart of the building

This new manufacturing facility of Accurativ (M) Sdn. Bhd. is situated in an industrial zone with no interesting views around that region. Similar streetscapes with typical factories or warehouse façades, repeating noises of machinery, minimal and inaccessible landscape formed the “neighborhood” scenery of the site. The surrounding environment appears to be uninteresting to visitors and uninspiring to the workers. In light of that, a common architectural design element in tropical buildings yet unconventional to industrial buildings - courtyard design, was introduced to counter the issues observed.

In terms of spatial planning, the courtyard also acts as a transition space between the office area and the warehouse area, making it an interesting journey as one moves from one space to another. The beauty of this greenery is even being captured and magnified at the entrance lobby, through framing the view using full height glazing at entrance lobby. At a glance, it appeared to be the picture of a beautiful garden, creating a warm and welcoming feeling to the visitors the moment they enter the building.

Sustainable design strategies

Sustainability is another emphasis of this building design. Green spaces, solar responsive building orientation, natural daylighting, and natural ventilation are the few passive design strategies adopted to create a sustainable manufacturing facility. The office block with the cafeteria area was designed to face south to allow maximum glazing and windows for natural daylight, yet minimize heat gain. For the warehouse façade that faces east and west, only a few recessed and tall windows were provided to allow deep natural daylight. Layered roof with skylights design was also incorporated to achieve the same intention. Besides that, the roof was designed to induce stack effect ventilation which improves the thermal comfort of the interior. The central courtyard on the ground floor and balcony garden on the first floor also contributed to the passive cooling of the overall building.

A new perception of the industrial building

This new manufacturing facility of Accurativ (M) Sdn. Bhd. challenges the common perception of an industrial building that often appears to be too functional and uninspiring in design. It proves that a generic manufacturing facility can too be designed as a distinctive architecture when the relationship between the building program, the users, and the environment is well examined. In short, this is an industrial architecture that responds to the climate and environment, while offering a physical environment that is conducive to its users.