T-HAM PABP Factory

How do we design a modern pork processing factory? Different from traditionally cheap-looking metal or tile clad boxes found in Taiwan, this high-tech, efficient, iconic and comfortable working machine, tries to define a new model. Our client T-HAM is Taiwan’s oldest pork processing brand. This is their first new factory development in over 50 years. Our main design challenge is to create a fitting identity for this factory and age-old brand, whilst ensuring that the new factory will perform well, and resolve unique challenges faced by this industry, namely: - The social stigma related to low-end manual labour that hinders the workers’ morale and company’s efforts to upgrade its image. - Challenging working conditions (8hr shifts in artificially lit fridge) coupled with the social stigma leading to staff hiring and retention challenges, and general staff welfare issues. The new factory was tasked to triple the production capacity of T-HAM. With the goal of entering the export market in 2020, it also needs to meet the hygiene standard for export required by the USA, Japan and Singapore (highest in the industry). This requires the internal layout to strictly separate the movement of people, fluids, gases and goods between the areas working on raw meat and cooked meat. Located in Pingtung Agricultural and Bio-Technology Park (PABP) in the south of Taiwan, strict land use regulation of the PABP was responsible in dictating the vertically stacked massing which is unusual for a meat processing factory. Our central design concept was to provide as much natural light as possible for the users during their daily work routine. Separating the factory into “front” and “back” zones, the “front” contains the offices, labs, as well as canteens and toilets. Shielded behind a Low-E glass curtain wall, these activities are exposed to abundant natural light and surrounding vistas. In the “back”, protected behind well insulated walls, are the refrigerated production and freezer zones. The aesthetic of the factory adhere to the principle of “form follows regulation and function”. Where rooms for creativity were identified, spatial features were crafted such as the iconic roof-scape, the entrance tunnel, any opportunities to play with sunlight, as well as maneuvers to off-set the massing blocks in order to “break down” the monolithic mass. Moreover, in homage to the great modernist building icon - the Pompidou center, necessary mechanical ducts, exhausts, pipes and shafts were expressed as ornaments on the façade to express the factory’s nature as a production entity. Following sustainable principles, much of the building materials are recycled or are locally sourced. This LEED Gold certified building also saves substantial amount of water and electricity during production and in maintenance. This factory has given the client an upgraded corporate identity. The smart internal layout has fulfilled export requirements, and increased production efficiency. The ulitisation of natural light and views along the circulation and leisure areas coupled with the improved working conditions has made the employees happier, which in turn have improved the production quality, staff morale, and staff recruitment.