architectural brief

Problem Statement : an extraterritorial building for the garment factory

opportunity : infrastructure between weak and strong nation
(availability of raw material, cheap labor, service infrastructure)

constraint : building on water that marks a political border
(between Thailand and Burma)

investigation : legislations with regard to building codes
(international and national land ownership)


Background

what organization does : the outsourcing of the production of garments

how old organization is : established in border areas since 2002 sanctions

what organization's market is : budget clothing stores in the US and EU

how organization fits into the industry sector :  manufacturing / secondary

Project

goals : a spatially efficient factory that bridges two economies

target group : workers fleeing economic sanctions and political instability

budget : extremely minimal

time : commence building after rainy season 2010

Design Examples

garment factories in Bangladesh

maquiladoras in Mexico

Spatial Dictionary

storage room : raw material enters from water or road infrastructure

preparation room : material is cut and prepared for assembly

sowing room : different parts of the garment are assembled

ironing room : garment is cleaned and straightened for presentation purpose

checking room : garment is assessed on quality of sowing and ironing

packaging room : garment is packaged and exits through road infrastructure

Parameters

population : 200 workers

site area : bridge over 120 meters (breadth of river) x 12 m

height : no higher than 5 m for stability

floor load : high load in some area due to machinery and storage

wall protection : necessary ventilation and lighting

ceiling acoustics : not specified but ventilation is important

Services

power : sowing and ironing machinery

lighting : natural as much as possible (cost of AC)

ventilations : natural as much as possible (cost of AC)

water supply : drinking water employees and cooling machinery

water drainage : for toilets unless they are dry

communications : for administrative/office purposes

noise levels : not specified (loud machines and loud highway)

access needs : product flows and personnel flows

security needs : security for workers and product

furniture : seating for workers and machinery

fire safety : fire escape for workers and resistant materials for products