Abstract:
Historically, American industry has had a poor reputation for safe and clean working conditions, however, it has remained highly respected in the Northeast areas of our country - being affectionately termed "the Foundry" of the nation. In fact, in recent years owners and management have come to better understand the idea of "increasing employee productivity via improved working conditions." This thesis project is a study of design ideas aimed at providing not only a corporate identity of quality, teamwork, and strength, but also an effective and productive working environment for every employee - salaried, union production personnel, and contract laborers.The project consists of the design of a new industrial manufacturing facility for the Indiana Steel & Wire Co. located in Muncie, Indiana. The focus is on the central core spaces - how they become the communication center for the facility and how they encourage interaction, teamwork in management relationships, and efficiency in the manufacturing processes. The design all of the production facilities, proposed conveyance systems, and discussions of the potential for robotics were limited to schematics only.The design entails approximately 870,000 square feet, including atriums and outbuildings, and was designed to fit an existing site, severely restricted in size on all four sides by a railroad, highway, river, and residential property.Research on industrial precedent has revealed that "people places" are some of the most important aspects of a successful facility. Providing a good working environment is paramount to promoting good attitudes, quality and productivity. Frequently a high-tech architectural language is used to connote strength, stability, state-of-the-art engineering excellence, and expandability. It is a tremendous means of celebrating the technology of a business/industry one is attempting to promote.This research project has explored the interrelationships of high-tech architectural design, pragmatic facilities engineering and employee productivity in the industrial environment.
