To Study Functional Efficiency in Dairy Factory Architecture: A Case Study Approach

Abstract

The World has witnessed four industrial revolutions. Beginning from Mechanized Form of Production to Mass Production, followed by Automated Production and Cyber-Physical systems. However, the underlying objective of any industrial establishment considering a free market economy is the economic and Social Objective (Odeleye, 1966). The Economical Objective of the establishment is achieved through Improvement in Operational Efficiency and Functional Efficiency, whereas on the other hand Social Objectives are achieved through the provision of Facilities working towards welfare of the stakeholders. The Industrial architecture in the United States done by Albert Kahn saw factories designed with a sharp Functionalist approach while in the Inter and Post war, Europe saw Modernism and International style making their way into Industrial Architecture. However, when it comes to the Indian subcontinent, under the vision of Nehruvian Modernity, Indian industrialization saw the development of multiple large-scale factories. In the specific context of Gujarat it is known today as an Industrial Hub, prominent International company’s factories have their manufacturing operations here. One of the Industry being the dairy industry which forms our focus for research. Functionality have a core focus in Industrial Building Designs, however Interventions pertaining to Functional Efficiency differ from industry to industry. According to Flight (1956) Functional Efficiency is defined as “a measure of its technical ability to perform satisfactorily the task for which it was designed.” For a Dairy Engineer the workable Placement of Machines, technological Sophistication, piping layout is a definition of Functional Efficiency, For Dairy Owner his or her Criteria for Functional Efficiency may be different, With Regards to an Architect its altogether different purview. This Thesis Aims to study Architecture Design Strategies architect employs in a dairy factory to make it Functionally Efficient.