Project Name: Aptech Industrial Park

Project Location: Kashimpur, Gazipur, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Architectural Consultants Firm: Sthapotik, responsive environment in architecture & Discreet,

Client: Big Boss Corporation

Total Site: 42783.37 square meters

Total Built Area: 86635 square meters

Project Commencement: 2014

Project Completion: 2021 Cost: 2,328,315,625 TK

Lead Architect: Ar. Md Sharif Uddin Ahamed & Ar. Tawhid Imam

Associates: Ar. Raisa Sadia, Ar. Sadeka Badiozzaman

Structural Consultant: Space Design Consortium

Electrical Engineer: Eng. MD. Rafiqul Islam Project Documentation and Write-Up: Ar. Hajera Easha

Photo Credits: The Big Pics, Presley Gomes, Ariful Islam Suhas, Ehsanul Alam, Mamunur Rashid Chowdhury

Awards & Publication: TWO LEED PLATINUM CERTIFIED Award, Published on ContextBD

The demand for ready-made garments in Bangladesh has increased significantly in the global industry. As the nation's economy benefits from the advancements in the ready-made clothing sector, there is also a chance to reduce poverty through socio-economic development because these factories generate a large number of work opportunities.

The objective of this project was to design the project as an example of an ideal industrial factory using the language of architecture and to establish an industrial park that would express the identity of Bangladesh.

Concept:

The number of factories in Bangladesh is increasing due to the demand for quality products of ‘RMG’ (Readymade Garments). The slogan ‘Made in Bangladesh’ represents Bangladesh in the global garment industry. Therefore, it is high time to create an eco-friendly industry in our country.

In the language of architecture, some steps need to be taken to create an eco-friendly industry, such as - creating climate-tolerant facilities, using local materials that blend in with the surrounding environment and reduce the level of damage, incorporating a sufficient amount of green environment, etc. The main idea of ​​​​this was to make the project an eco-based project by taking all these steps.

Site and Context Analysis:

Gazipur is home to factories and industrial parks of various heavyweight RMG exporters. Gazipur district is located in the central part of Bangladesh, bordering Dhaka, Tangail, Kishoreganj, Narsingdi and Brahmanbaria districts. It is known as the industrial hub of Bangladesh as it is considered an effective place to set up a business due to the good transportation of raw materials.

Aptech Industrial Park is located at Kashimpur, Gazipur. It is 33 km. away from the international airport. People can reach to the site from the capital Dhaka via Jirani-Kashimpur Road and Sukarno Road. There is a garment and sweater manufacturing factory on the southeast side of the site and the ‘Aptech Industrial Park Staff Quarters’ on the southwest side. In addition, there is a lot of open space around the site and there is not much dense population near the site, which makes it a suitable environment for setting up an industrial factory. The entire area of ​​the site is 10.57 acres (42783.37 square meters).

The site extends east-west, so each structure is planned to be oriented north-south to ensure a comfortable environment according to the climate of our country.

Image: Location map

Image: Bird's eye view

Design Consideration:

The main design objective of this project was to create a structure with a minimum footprint for an industrial factory, with as much open space as possible, and to improve the microclimate of the site area.

Due to the complex functions of industrial factories, a large number of hard surfaces are required in the design, which reduces the amount of open space or green landscape, which creates an uncomfortable environment for the users. One of the main design considerations in this project was how to reduce ground coverage by providing separate spaces for each different function. Although the construction structures are large, the design method has tried to keep as few hard surfaces as possible by prioritizing the green landscape. At the same time, green surfaces have been included in the design at various places to create a relaxing/comfortable environment.

The park employs 10,000 people per shift. Therefore, one of the objectives of this project was to ensure proper horizontal and vertical circulation to keep the huge work cycle of the industry running smoothly.

Masterplan:

In this project, a preparation space was designed at the entrance to the site for the large workforce. The project has a sprawling design with buildings so that visitors can easily explore the entire area.

The zoning plan for the Aptech Industrial Park is based on several factors. A total of 10 buildings are designed in the park, taking into account factors such as: managing high-volume traffic, avoiding the complexity of industrial functions, and avoiding fire hazards. The number of floors in the buildings is planned to be increased to reduce ground coverage.

Image: Bubble diagram

Image: Flow chart

The Ancillary Building stands at the Entrance on the south, the Sewing and Fining buildings in the middle, facing each other. The Dining and Kitchen building is located near the west boundary wall and one of the Jute Boilers stands just at the corner of it.

The Washing Plant, the washing store & ETP, and the Utility Building are located on the north of the park. Another Jute Boiler is positioned near the north boundary wall beside the washing Plant Building. The Rest House is Separated by a water body on the east side of the park for privacy.

1. Sewing Building: Sample Selection, Accessories Store, Raw Material Go-down, Sewing Workstation.

2. Finishing Building: Finishing Workstation, Finishing Go-Down, Monitoring Zone.

3. Dining and Kitchen Building: Dining Area, Kitchen, Pantry, Store

4. Washing Plant Building: Sample Selection and Laboratory Area, Fining Office, Tagging, Measurement Check, Iron, Labelling, etc.

5. Washing Store & ETP: Effluent treatment Plan, Water Tank.

6. Utility Building: Generator, Substation, Compressor, Boiler Area, Water Supply Tank

7. Jute Boiler: 2 Nos.

8. Rest House: 16 Guest Rooms, Meeting Room, Community Space.

9. Ancillary Building: Health Care Unit, Child Care Unit, Security and Control Unit, Industry’s Office Etc.

Image: Conceptual sketch

Image: Masterplan

Image: Circulation map

Façade Treatment:

The general features and outlook of the buildings are largely inspired by the ‘National Parliament Building’. Vertical louvers have been used on the south and west facades. The louvers on the west facade have been angled to prevent direct sunlight from entering and to create a comfortable environment through the entry of natural light and air. These angular louvers make the large-scale sewing and finishing building seem smaller.

Image: Ground floor plan of sewing & finishing building

Fire Prevention Measures:

Fire risk is the most important factor in the RMG (Ready Made Garments) industry. To avoid the risk, emphasis has been laid on fire prevention measures in this project. The sewing and finishing buildings are the largest buildings in terms of area. These buildings also handle the most complex functions. All the fire stairs and lifts in the sewing and finishing buildings are separated from the main building footprint. The fire cores are connected by 3-meter bridges so that air (positive) movement can be ensured through the large openings.

Image: Window detail (1)

Image: Window detail (2)

Other Facilities:

Aptech is one of the largest garment factories in Bangladesh in terms of production and size. From the beginning of the project, the client wanted to create a progressive production system with a supportive system. For this reason, the architects, while creating an iconic design, also focused on ensuring a positive and supportive working environment for the employees there. In addition, the project includes all the facilities for the employees (health and psychological support, a childcare unit, Worker Welfare), etc. Currently, 10,000 employees work here with dignity and pride.

Image: Sewing building plan

Energy Efficiency Measures:

Generally, large industries consume a large amount of energy; fuel energy, electrical energy, etc. Various steps have been taken to reduce the total energy cost of this project. Such as:

    1. ETP (Effluent Treatment Plant): ETP removes contaminants from industrial liquid waste and produces purified water. An ETP has been installed in the washing store on the ground floor of this project. The water obtained from ETP treatment is used as safe water. In addition, a water treatment plant has been installed just below the road between building number 5 and 6.

  2. Rainwater Harvesting: Rainwater is collected in a reservoir built for emergency situations. The rainwater harvesting pond in front of the rest house cools the environment. At the same time, the pond separates the industrial area and the residential area.

   3. Materials used in construction: The ground coverage of this park is only 41.36% of the total site area. Sustainable materials have been used in the construction of the project, which simultaneously reduces operating costs and facilitates maintenance. Local bricks and fair-faced concrete are the main materials of the project. Concrete column-beam structure is used in this project, which is easy to maintain and cost-effective for construction work.

In contrast to the conventional layout of industrial factories, this project was designed as a park rather than a factory to make it a pleasant area for the general public. This project is undoubtedly one of the best examples of industrial factories in our country.