Conceived within a recurring column-beam grid that defines its structural clarity and spatial rhythm, Mallcom Factory in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India may be elaborated to exemplify the zeitgeist of contemporary industrial design, shaped by the forever conundrum of melding functionality with aesthetic consciousness. The 6000-square metre personal protective equipment (PPE) garment-stitching unit, designed by local architecture and design studio IKSOI, occupies a former textile mill compound. This transformation is furthermore a rumination on how architecture can bridge the past and present, even within the same broad functional outlines, resulting in a structure that embraces industrial heritage while remaining pertinent to today’s social, economic, and environmental realities. As a PPE production facility, the design balances the practical demands of mechanical processes with the broader imperative of creating a humane and efficient workspace.

"The design prioritises functionality, creating a space that is efficient, safe, and conducive to the production process. However, the building also serves as a place of innovation and experimentation, where new ideas are developed and tested,” shares IKSOI on the architecture's overall ethos. Building upon this approach, the studio segmented the factory’s layout into four independently structured concrete volumes connected by linear skylights. This subdivision optimises construction efficiency, while the skylights serve as subtle conduits for natural ventilation and define the circulation zones within the factory. Each section is crafted to balance industrial efficiency with human comfort. The precise geometry of the blocks and repetition of columns and beams evoke a sense of rhythm and order, mirroring the mechanical patterns of production.

The ground floor program of Mallcom Factory is designated for administrative spaces and key production facilities, including fabric-cutting areas and storage spaces for raw materials and finished goods. Work areas such as for stitching and finishing lines, product packaging, and staff training zones are accommodated on the first floor. Encircling the atrium, apertures between the columns are fitted with metal railings, forming balconies that provide visual connectivity to the lower level, while select sections are enclosed with concrete walls to enhance structural integrity and spatial division.

The industrial building is rendered with unpretentious, raw authenticity through the dominant use of exposed concrete and steel. The robustness of concrete paired with the precision of steel embodies the factory's utilitarian purpose and exudes an understated elegance. "The essence of the structure lies in its ability to transform raw materials into something useful and meaningful, creating spaces that are both functional and inspiring,” mentions an official statement from the studio.

While the material palette evokes the ethos of brutalist architecture, creating open, dynamic, and (largely) inviting spaces given the industrial setting, it is the play of daylight that enhances the narrative by casting soft patterns of light animating the polished factory floor. Streaming through the skylights and expansive windows, natural light “interacts with rows of columns and beams to create a sense of movement and passage of time,” the design team explains. “The rhythms and patterns of work, the movement of people and machinery, and the sounds and smells of production all contribute to the poetic nature of these spaces,” they continue. This interplay contributes to a serene working environment, promoting productivity and well-being within a space that might otherwise feel sterile.

With their work at Mallcom Factory, IKSOI's paradigm of balancing production efficiency with a benign working environment by adopting a more holistic approach to factory design draws a step closer to realisation and fulfilment. The building addresses both pragmatic and philosophical concerns, serving as a pertinent reflection of contemporary industrial architecture, wherein the past informs the future and design becomes a catalyst for utility and inspiration.

Precedents of concrete architecture previously published on STIR include a brutalist museum embodying the grit of ginkgo trees, Ginkgo Gallery by MORE Architecture; a UNESCO Happy School in Bengaluru, Vidyashilp Academy by Morphogenesis; and House In Nishizaki by Studio Cochi Architects as a concrete narrative of restraint.

Project Details

Name: Mallcom Factory
Location: Ahmedabad, India
Client: Mallcom Safety Private Limited
Architect: IKSOI
Design Team: Dhawal Mistry, Mansi Mistry, Jay Darji, Nitesh Mevada
Structural Engineer: Girish Dhanwani, Caes Consultants
Contractor: Sameer Constructions
Built-Up Area: 6000 sq.m.