Hasta La Ideas

An exposed concrete structure adds a sense of rhythm to Mallcom Factory, a PPE factory designed by Indian practice Iksoi Studio.

Built on the site of an old textile mill in Ahmedabad, the garment-stitching factory was designed for personal protective equipment (PPE) company Mallcom and features a steel and concrete structure.

A rigid concrete grid decorates the building’s exterior walls and interior spaces, expressing its functionality.

“On the outside the factory wears its toughness with pride,” studio founder Dhawal Mistry told Dezeen.

“Within the unyielding fortress, we aimed to design a place of solace and wonder, where light and architecture coalesce in a mesmerising display of softness and strength.”

Driven by functionality, Iksoi Studio left the materials and structural elements exposed and unfinished across the factory’s exterior and interior, aiming to create an efficient facility that celebrates raw materials.

“The use of simple and robust materials, such as steel and concrete, create a sense of honesty and authenticity,” said the studio. “As such, the design prioritises functionality, creating a space that is efficient, safe, and conducive to the production process.”

Comprised of concrete beams and columns, the structure was divided into four structurally independent areas that wrap around a central atrium, where a skylight covered with a steel frame lets light into the spaces below.

“Each volume is structurally independent, resulting in shorter spans and simpler structure,” said the studio. “Skylights running along the roof mark the circulation spaces on the floor and act as roof monitors, allowing hot air to escape through them.”

Administration spaces feature on the ground floor of Mallcom Factory, along with production facilities such as fabric cutting areas and storage spaces for raw materials and finished goods.

Most of the factory’s work areas are located on the upper level, including stitching and finishing lines as well as areas for product packaging and staff training.

Throughout the interior, rooms and corridors are punctuated by a series of concrete columns. A polished concrete floor extends through the factory’s interior.

Around the atrium, the gaps between the columns have been left open, with metal railings stretching across the openings to create balconies that overlook the level below. In other places, the gaps have been filled with concrete walls.

“Neat geometry is a constant aspect maintained throughout the structure, influencing both its aesthetic qualities and structural integrity,” said the studio.

“The repetition of the columns and beams helps create a sense of rhythm, order and symmetry, evoking feelings of calmness and tranquility.”

Other factories recently featured on Dezeen include a Canadian mass timber factory clad in cedar battens and a colourful factory built within the skeleton of a Pittsburgh steel mill.

The photography is by Atik Bheda.

The post Iksoi Studio celebrates functionality with exposed concrete grid in Indian factory appeared first on Dezeen.