IDC Architects

Nike's new 9,400 SM (101,200 SF) footwear factory in Vietnam is an exemplar Asian model of environmentally responsible manufacturing. Nike's goal is to provide a safe and comfortable work environment through sustainable building practices in order to attract the best management and skilled labor. This factory demonstrates to other manufacturers the benefits of cost effective sustainable applications and their resulting positive impact upon productivity, quality, and standards of living.

The factory has six manufacturing lines. One is an experimental line for exploring innovation and prototypes. Another is used for developing production refinements of prototypes, while the remainder of the manufacturing lines are used for production. A mezzanine level contains the factory's management offices, training, and conference rooms overlooking the manufacturing areas below.

We incorporated multiple sustainable design features into the new factory. Among these is enhancing natural ventilation to maintain a comfortable ambient temperature work environment. This is achieved through the introduction of ventilation towers that induce a natural airflow from adjoining landscape zones. Open mesh side walls combine with continuous clerestory glazing and strategically placed skylights to provide even ambient daylighting throughout the work areas. In the factory enclosure we employed design elements such as deep shading roof overhangs and light colored reflecting and heat rejecting materials to improve and enhance the work environment.