Profile: Ipekyol Textile Factory, Edirne

Each day for the next couple of weeks, we will profile one project that has been nominated for the 2010 Aga Khan Awards for Architecture.

Today's project is the Ipekyol Textile Factory in Edirne:

The Ipekyol factory, a custom-designed facility for a manufacturer of high-quality textiles, represents a successful collaboration between a client and an architect in developing a spatial strategy that integrates production goals with the well-being of employees. Key design objectives focused on a single U-shaped volume that makes full use of the site as well as the use of local materials, reduced energy use, and enhanced thermal performance. The architect responded with a single, large structure where administration and production spaces were integrated under one roof, breaking down hierarchies between front- and back-of-house functions. The form of the building confidently conveys its function, its U-shape responding well to the demands of the production line. The glazed southern facade, five internal courtyards, as well as gardens and light wells give each user access to natural light and views of nature; the spaces also provide recreational areas for the workers. Signalling a departure from the generally poor standards of places of work the world over, the Ipekyol factory sets a new benchmark for the design and construction of factories that prioritise architectural design and the comfort of the users without significant cost premiums.

Click here for more information on the Aga Khan Awards for Architecture.

Aga Khan Award for Architecture / Cemal Emden

Aga Khan Award for Architecture / Cemal Emden