Factory in the Earth | Ryuichi Ashizawa Architect & Associates

Designed by Ryuichi Ashizawa Architect & Associates, factory in the Earth is an extension of the existing factory, reclaiming ground adjacent to the jungle in Johor, Malaysia. The factories in the 19th century gave priority to rationality and productivity, so we wanted to transcend the factory typology by incorporating elements that would make the Islamic workers proud of the new working environment they would be facing.

Photography by © Kaori Ichikawa

Using the power of nature like rainwater, sunlight, the wind, geothermal heat, and vegetation, we wanted to minimize the production of harmful low carbon expelled to the environment making of the building a sustainable factory. The plan intends to create a large green roof continuous with the ground extending the earth surface covering the lower functions and spaces.

Photography by © Kaori Ichikawa

The roof soil works improving greatly the efficiency of the factory space insolation. Space below is structurally arranged by a forest of hexagonally shaped pillars with a star-shaped top derived from the arabesque patterns from Islamic culture, a reference to the surrounding jungle. Rainwater that pours down the rooftop is pulled into an underground water storage tank through the pipes embedded in the pillars being used cyclically for plants watering. When flowing into the pond and the wind blows, the rainwater that pours down over the rooftop slope brings a cold breeze to the transitory space between exterior and interior under the roof. To reduce artificial light as much as possible, the factory is designed to reflect the light that comes from above .

Photography by © Kaori Ichikawa

Guided by computer simulations, we could predict the amount of skylight reflected and diffused by a reflection panel that shares its shape with the arabesque patterns. A multistory building houses the offices, this building aligned with the east-west axis allows for a minimized effect of a solar radiation projected on its outer wall surface.

Photography by © Kaori Ichikawa

The slab along the perimeter of the high-rise building is a slope that connects with the ground level a continuous walking path for the workers to practice exercise and improve their health. The façade is provided with a system of wired with vines, these vines shield from solar radiation by sharping a vertical green wall, this building characteristic. Natural ventilation is carried through the multistory building to the lower spaces thankfully to its high creating a current of air. Combining nature into itself and blending with its surroundings it’s the type of factory that can connect with its surroundings and its context.

Photography by © Kaori Ichikawa

Project Info:
Architects: Ryuichi Ashizawa Architect & Associates
Location: Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Design Team: LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE: Inada Junichi(WIN), LIGHTING DESIGNER: Izumi Okayasu(Izumi Okayasu Lighting Design), STRUCTURE ENGINEER: Hirokazu Touki, Takuo Nagai, MECHANICAL ENGINEER: Eiji Sato(ES associates), ELECTRICAL ENGINEER: NICHIEI ARCHITECTS, LOCAL ARCHITECT; Nakano Construction Sdn Bhd
Area: 25141.0 sqm
Project Year: 2013
Photographs: Kaori Ichikawa
Project Name: Factory in the Earth