Project Summary: Space of Labor – Aircraft Manufacturing Plant

Institution: ETH Zurich, Department of Architecture (D-ARCH)
Studio: Christian Kerez, Fall Semester 2020
Theme: "Space of Labor: 10,000 People"

Research & Case Studies
The design process was rooted in rigorous industrial research. The studio conducted in-depth analyses of existing manufacturing giants, specifically Airbus and BMW. A pivotal aspect of the research included a field trip to Toulouse, France, to visit the Airbus headquarters and assembly lines, providing first-hand insight into the monumental scale and logistical complexity of aircraft production.

Methodology & Computational Design
The project utilized Grasshopper (GH) as a primary tool for parametric analysis. The methodology involved:
Deconstruction: Breaking down both the aircraft components (from wings to fuselages) and the factory typologies into modular data.
Parametric Analysis: Using computational logic to map the relationship between physical parts and the space required to house them.

Design Strategy
The final master plan and site layout were dictated by two primary factors:
Component Scale: The varying dimensions and weights of specific aircraft parts served as the fundamental spatial drivers.
Assembly Sequence: The spatial organization followed the chronological order of the production line, ensuring a seamless flow from individual part manufacturing to final assembly.

By synthesizing the logistics of an assembly line with the architectural requirements of 10,000 workers, the project transformed a purely functional industrial process into a highly structured, research-oriented architectural master plan.