The Arch Daily Building of the Year 2024 Award, in the industrial spaces category, is a new factory in Ahmedabad, India, where function meets inspiration.  

Built on an old textile mill compound, the new Mallcom factory is a personal protective equipment (PPE) garment-stitching unit, designed by IKSOI Architecture. 

Holistic design 

The design of the unit takes a holistic approach that balances the needs of the manufacturing sector, with the social, economic and environmental realities of current India. As such, 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. 

Transformational space 

The essence of the structure creates spaces that are both functional and inspiring.

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. The use of simple and robust materials, such as steel and concrete, creates a sense of honesty and authenticity. 

The framework of the overall project can be seen as an arrangement of four differently proportioned volumes separated by the skylights. Each volume is structurally independent, resulting in shorter spans and simpler structures. Skylights running along the roof mark the circulation spaces on the floor and act as roof monitors, allowing hot air to escape through them. 

Repetition and rhythm 

The new Mallcom factory in Ahmedabad, India, is the winner of the Arch Daily Building of the Year 2024 Award, in the industrial category.

Neat geometry is a constant aspect maintained throughout the structure, influencing both its aesthetic qualities and structural integrity. The repetition of columns and beams helps to create a sense of rhythm, order and symmetry, evoking feelings of calmness and tranquillity. 

Daylight entering through the skylights and large windows interacts with rows of columns and beams to create a sense of movement and the passage of time. 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. 

The repetition of columns and beams helps to create a sense of rhythm, order and symmetry.

Project: Mallcom factory. 

Client: Mallcom Safety Private Limited. 

Location: Ahmedabad, India. 

Architects: IKSOI. 

Design team: Dhawal Mistry, Mansi Mistry, Jay Darji, Nitesh Mevada. 

Area: 6 000 m². 

Year: 2023. 

Photographs: Atik Bheda. 

Full acknowledgement and thanks go to:

https://www.archdaily.com/ for the information in this article.