The facility measures 75 meters x 90 meters. It has an area of 6,750 square meters. We faced 2 challenges when designing this project. The typical facility structure only has a small amount of fenestration along the periphery of the building. Therefore, the majority of workers within the main space, do not experience much daylight at all during the entire work shift. In order to provide workers with a better working environment, the first question we asked ourselves was: how to allow natural light enter the vast interior space (6,750 square meters)? Secondly, the client requested maximum efficiency (and flexibility) with the new facility, and a maximum span with the least number of columns (or supports) are necessary in creating this facility.

We worked closely with the project engineer to come- up with a compound- steel- truss roof system which addressed our two challenges simultaneously. As a result of this compound truss, we integrated a series of large rhombus- shaped skylights into the roof system, which allow plenty of ambient light into the vast internal space of the facility. To reduce weight, polycarbonate panels are used (in place of glass), to create the skylights. With this compound steel roof system, we also achieved a span of 36 meters (118.8 feet) for the client to set-up their production line in an efficient (and flexible) manner.