Typology of canteen facilities in modern manufacturing plants

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to investigate the potential impact that the concept of the fourth generation industry can have on the architectural design of canteen facilities in the modern manufacturing plants. The concept of Industry 4.0 initiates an important shift regarding the architectural design of industrial plants. This research paper will look in more detail at the spatial and functional features of canteen facilities in manufacturing plants of the fourth generation. More specifically, it will search to answer the question of whether the labour organisation systems that are typical for Industry 4.0 vision will have an impact on the typology of canteen facility applied to a specific architectural project. The research methods used are multiple case studies and comparative analysis, including typological and functional analysis of factory layouts, while the sources of material are designs of manufacturing plants developed by architecture master students at the Poznań University of Technology. Despite being realised by students within the framework of a design studio, the projects selected for the study are accurate and realistic works, based in each individual case on a thorough analysis of existing relevant examples as well as of the future-oriented trends in industry development. The effects of the research include observations concerning the canteen’s situation on the factory plan, its type, as well as its spatial and functional characteristics. The conclusions comprise an identification of further research directions with particular potential for development, as well as some existing trends that link canteen typology with work organisation system.