Architecture of a hybrid manufacturing plant: Conceptual design issues

Abstract

The purpose of the presented paper is to identify and examine the key innovation areas in architectural design for manufacturing plants that are likely to appear due to the recent progress in the production technology. Firstly, the principles of the hybrid manufacturing system are discussed, with regard to the effects that the recent shift of production paradigm brings organisation to the work as well as to the character of human participation in the industry. In the next step, the analysis of exemplary designs is used to investigate new tasks and difficulties that this change is likely to pose to the architects. The research method is a logical analysis, while the material used consists of empirical designs realised with architecture master students. The most significant design issues encountered at different decision-making moments of the design process are subsequently discussed. They point to the stages of setting the functional programme, deciding upon the site selection, elaborating the factory plans and the composition of architectural form, as representing four key areas of design sequence for innovative concepts to emerge. Among other conclusions drawn from the study, the evidence for the growing importance of the aesthetics in design can be distinguished. This corresponds to the observed shift of design trends from the office to industry functions.