Laboratory for Shihlien Biotech Salt Plant | WZWX Architecture Group

Design brief:

• To design a 900 m²laboratory for a world-class medical-grade salt plant.
• To contain the program for quality control and testing procedures for various segments of the production process. It includes laboratories, ultra-clean rooms, chemical testing rooms, office spaces, chemical and samples storage, a central control-and-monitoring room and a generous lobby and reception area.

Rethinking The Future Awards 2020
Third Award | Office Building (Built)

Project Name: Laboratory for Shihlien Bio-tech Salt Plant
Studio Name: WZWX Architecture Group
Design Team: Stephen Wang, Chiou Hiei Lin, Jian Fei Cheng, Jian Zhang, Meng-ling Cao
Area: 900m²
Year: 2018
Location: Huai’an, China
Consultants: Shenzhen Wen-Hua Construction Co., Ltd, Taiwan Glass
Photography Credits: Louis Liu

Site/background:

• Located in Huaian city, situated in northern Jiangsu province, it is home to the finest reserve of underground salt mines in China.
• Since 2008 the city has been active in developing an advanced industrial zone for salt-chemical related industries.
• The plant incorporates state of the art production technology, yielding 30 tonnes per annum of medical-grade salt which is refined into a range of specialized products for medical, food, beverage and cosmetic industrial applications.

Concept:

• Purity is an essential focus of the salt production process and a consistent driving concept for architectural and interior design.
• The plan organization is conceived as a regular array of NaClsalt crystals. A series of offset cubic protrusions – white-washed walls with full-height glazing – accommodates each of the key functions.
• While the main building geometries are rectilinear, entrances and key elevations are characterized by contrasting fluid curvatures to give various welcoming gestures to visitors and staff.

The Building:

• “Water” is an essential element within the brine-to-salt extraction process and therefore celebrated as a major design feature.
• The building is poised beside a large reflecting pond as if floating on water.
• Rainwater is collected in the pond from the roof to provide an evaporative cooling effect during the hot extended summers as well as a source of irrigation water for the surrounding open landscaped areas.
• Meandering fine pebble pathways demarcate the edges of the pond. A generous stone walkway traverses the water surface to lead visitors toward the main entry.
• By night, underwater lighting illuminates the façades and brings to life mirror-like reflections.

Inside:

• The interior is crisp and restrained – white walls, linear strip lighting, and light-colored tiles characterize the spaces.
• In key rooms, a warmer atmosphere is conjured by combining wood and wood-grained exposed concrete.
• Full height low-emissivity glazing provides ample daylighting and pleasant views of the Jiangsucountry-side from the workspaces.