Industrial Buildings in the Context of Architectural Practice: The Case of Nuclear Power Plant
by Dmitry Tatarinov | July 10, 2022
Having worked in Design and Construction for almost fifteen years, with the last four years in the nuclear field, I have noticed that the role of an Architect in the job market is increasingly being substituted by CAD, BIM modelers, drafters, and other specialties only partially related to Architecture. Companies are following the general trend of excelling in Information Modeling, leaving Architects with only two choices: to become Drafters or Modelers with programming skills, such as Dynamo. The situation is even more puzzling in Industrial Architecture, where an Architect is more likely to be associated with loft design rather than Building and Structural Design. This document will review the case of Nuclear Power Plants and the role of an Architect in this field. This secondary research serves as the author’s preliminary perspective, aiming to formulate key questions and establish a basis for further exploration on this subject.
Architectural Engineer
Since this writing focuses on Industrial Architecture, it is necessary to consider the engineering aspect as well—perhaps even predominantly. There are values that Architects can bring to projects where industrial discipline is of utmost importance. However, industry is often associated with technology or engineering first and foremost. Viewing this term from a different perspective requires considerable effort. This is likely due to the prevailing view of Architects as professionals who contribute primarily to aesthetics rather than technicalities.
It can be suggested that the lifespan of any industrial building, which may hold social value, should be overseen by an Architect with strong engineering knowledge. Such an Architect should be familiar with integrative design practices and capable of not only implementing "Art" principles but also finding a compromise with service or process requirements. In other words, it should be the exclusive domain of Architectural Engineers to coordinate all design and construction activities, particularly when the function of the building is defined by process discipline.
Master Builder
Before beginning this analysis, it is essential to juxtapose the contributions of architectural practice to design and construction in 2022 compared to the past. A simple, preliminary way to assess this is by defining the profession of an Architect as it was historically and as it stands now. Historically, an Architect might be best characterized as a Master Builder. A relevant discussion on this topic is well presented in Architecture: A Short Introduction (2007).
Presumably, this hints at a professional who designed and supervised construction, paying close attention to existing construction methods. In contrast, the role of an Architect in 2022 is often diminished by the job market and societal needs, characterized more as a Drafter or Designer proficient in software. These points suffice for the purpose of this writing, though further review on the matter is beyond the scope of this research.
One reason for this shift might lie in the hierarchy of needs in today's complex job market. Considering the research by Rönn (1996), it can be suggested that many individuals in the architectural field prefer building professional communities, which may provide additional financial benefits, rather than striving for career advancement. This lack of focus on establishing professional recognition and reinforcing professionalism often leads to diminished responsibility. Even unintentionally, Drafters may avoid responsibility when implementing client requests, further relegating their craft and knowledge to supplementary functions rather than upholding the traditions and foundations of architecture as they existed in the past.
Scope of Works
Having industrial architecture as the core of this writing, it is necessary to consider the engineering aspect too, perhaps even predominantly. Why can't one assume that it is the Architectural Engineer who should be involved in every industrial project rather than an Architect? In other words, it should be the exclusive responsibility of an Architectural Engineer to coordinate all design and construction activities when the function of the building is defined by process discipline.
In addition, coordination with all related engineering disciplines will be expected from this professional, applying multidisciplinary or integrated management. With that approach supported by all stakeholders, we might once again witness something even more attractive than the industrial architecture of the 19th and 20th centuries—where aesthetic features are seamlessly combined with functionality, as envisioned by the Master Builder. Yet, the "new" scope for this profession should be redefined, and relevant knowledge should be taught starting from the university level. A preliminary strategy for this will be outlined in the following paragraphs in the context of Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) design.
Although it is evident that every project is a unique endeavor, the scope which the Architectural Engineer will cover should be predefined in advance and clearly differentiated from that of an Architect. Otherwise, the role could be diminished, and responsibilities may gradually be diverted by the client, whose actions are primarily driven by financial models and trends. This could eventually impact on the artistic value of the building, which may have initially been conceived with a different idea in mind. Furthermore, its social value may also be at risk.
Typology Over Time
Before addressing the case of NPPs, it is necessary to list the main types of industrial buildings. According to Patterson (2019), several types of industrial buildings can be identified by their function: warehouses, manufacturing buildings, cold storage buildings, data centers, and flex buildings. The variety of buildings that an Architectural Engineer should be somewhat familiar with is presented in the attachment. There is no intention to go into detail about every type. However, it is important to identify criteria for design quality to show that NPPs may consist of different types of industrial facilities. This, in turn, will help further identify the value an Architectural Engineer can bring.
~ Initial list of Industrial buildings ~
According to Rönn (1996), "the architectural quality of industrial buildings can be evaluated from two fundamentally different perspectives. Quality evaluation thus corresponds to attempts to formulate design judgments about existing industrial buildings. Quality enhancement focuses on the design process and its possibilities. The difference is that quality evaluation results in judgments based upon actions of the past, whereas quality enhancement looks to the future."
Having studied mainly industrial buildings, David Leatherbarrow (2002) emphasized Albert Kahn’s vision, who categorized his practice into “the architecture of art” and “the business of buildings.” In other words, every building could be viewed in production and stylistic terms, and nothing should exceed the requirements of functional concern in the typology of industrial buildings. In this context, a statement by Lepel (2006) can also be analyzed: “The external appearance of the building is determined by the architectural styles prevailing in the given age, the construction technologies, and the requirements of the principal.”
An example of quality enhancement could be energy performance strategies. According to Yi Wang (2019), there are two types of industrial buildings identified based on energy efficiency principles. One type considers the reduction of energy consumption, and the other addresses excessive heat loss or sources of air pollution. Thus, calculation methods in terms of energy efficiency in industrial building design may differ and require thorough analysis.
Re-evaluation of the role
While several methods have been proposed for the sustainable design of residential or commercial buildings, no similar efforts have been found for formulating techniques for industrial buildings or structures. Yet, this field has a considerable impact on the environment in terms of resources spent on construction and decommissioning. For instance, Nuclear Power Plant structures can sometimes serve for a hundred years and contain large amounts of reinforced concrete and thus must be sustainable in terms of their visual appearance and landscape development. An Architectural Engineer should oversee the project’s aesthetics and ensure its unity with the building environment and function.
It can be suggested that to create and maintain a positive public opinion of NPPs, Architectural Engineers should be involved at an early stage in the creation of organizational structures, as well as supervise NPP design and the decommissioning stage. Even though nuclear safety and structural stability are widely believed to be the core of the NPP project, it could be argued that the Architect's role in nuclear power plant design at all design stages should be reevaluated by NPP suppliers and related regulatory organizations.
While dealing with the nuclear sector may be considered by some practitioners in the architectural field as perhaps something different from green energy, it remains our heritage and thus should be addressed regardless of our desires and opinions. Meanwhile, many NPPs still remain operational, some are being upgraded, others are being planned for design (Plans for New Reactors Worldwide, 2015), and some are being decommissioned and transformed into something new in many countries around the world—this is a fact and a tendency that has persisted for decades, one that cannot be dismissed by those who consider themselves professional master builders.
Practicality is something that should be considered a top priority in the hierarchy of social needs when creating a building. However, without providing context, it is highly unlikely that a building’s appearance will be understood or possess architectural value. That said, any attitude of a person or group of people towards a building, particularly an industrial one, is a complex process that may vary depending on cultural background and level of involvement.
An architect is one who can, to some extent, influence that perception by creating a narrative behind the structure. This can be achieved using various techniques, including design concepts for portable reactors, research centers for architects, or incentives in the form of rating systems like LEED and LCAs. These methods could eventually help to create a new public perspective on nuclear power plant construction and foster greater trust in nuclear energy as a green source.
For instance, some technological systems that constitute a major part of the NPP, as well as the site plan, could be redesigned while remaining economically viable, thereby granting architects more flexibility to create sustainable structures (A methodology for modular nuclear power plant design and construction, 1989). Of course, varying levels of attention should be given to Nuclear Power Plants depending on their energy production volume. Another solution could be improving current methods for optimizing size or plant upgrading, making elements and structures as prefabricated as possible, or optimizing NPPs, including thorium reactors.
Intellectual Context
Initially, the question of NPP aesthetics was noticed by the author of this research in independent sources such as The Conversation (Porter, 2016) and The Guardian, where authors debated why it is still civil engineers who define the concept and not architects. Nevertheless, this debate is only targeted towards questioning and searching for the reason behind this rather than proposing solutions. Having reviewed numerous scholars, no efforts were found to study the role of architects in NPP design.
Although some authors such as Farahat (2016) and Sesonske (1973) analyzed and provided guidance for better understanding of NPP facilities, the role of architects is still under-investigated in current literature, as there have been no efforts to study it in conjunction with organizational structures, social aspects, or optimization models for NPP.
Meanwhile, it would be feasible to review literature starting from the year 1989, when the question of modular design for NPPs was raised in the Ph.D. work of MIT professor C.W. Lapp with the support of S. Howard, who studied its economic model. Later, their research was published in the Journal of Nuclear Engineering and Design (C.W. Lapp, 1997), where methodologies were formulated.
It can be suggested that decommissioning should also be worked out in close cooperation with an architectural engineer. C. Invernizzi (2017) studied the decommissioning process, demonstrating some challenges regarding its realization in a social context. To include this question in the scope of further research, additional investigation should be conducted to determine how the architectural engineer is integrated into this social structure.
In addition to all the roles an architect can play in NPP design, it is essential to define possible liabilities that could arise from the new proposed matrix. This is described in the Ethical Issues Section of this writing. Reviewing the literature, numerous sources were found covering this topic. For example, studies by Ameye (2010) and Thomas A. (2012) show what could be the milestones and strategies to analyze responsibilities. Yet again, the architect's role was not studied in a broader context. It can be concluded that there is a considerable gap in current literature starting from 1989.
Further Study
At an early stage of research, it is assumed that the following areas could be examined in the future:
· Considering the role of an architect in history, what are the main tangible or intangible elements of NPP design that could become features of its architectural importance?
· The architect's role in nuclear power plant design at the stage of schematic and working design development and the possibility of making feasible design adjustments.
· Which nuclear plant technology or facility could reasonably be adjusted to create a plant built into the environment, satisfying sustainable design strategies?
· Taking the LEED approach as a basis, could similar ratings be formulated for NPP design?
· How should decommissioning be approached at the stage of schematic design to make structures sustainable after the lifetime of an NPP?
· What are the factors that should define the boundaries for the legal work of an architect within the proposed framework, and how could liability be measured?
· Having the intention to find solutions for making industrial architecture more sustainable, questioning whether nuclear energy is green is not considered as part of this research, similar to the approach found in the article by Verbruggen (2008).
Methodology of Further Research
It is evident, even at an early stage of research, that there is only a limited amount of work done within the framework of small modular or thorium reactors. For example, so far, only one company has been found that proposed a small modular reactor where appearance was considered as an alternative to large reactors. This company has already signed numerous memorandums and is aiming to start the permitting process soon (Output, 2020) in the U.S. Additionally, modularization methods proposed by C.W. Lapp (1997) could be studied as part of this framework.
As for the practicality of the question, it would be reasonable to analyze existing organizational and management structures of companies using publicly available information, as well as by requesting professional opinions. This analysis may include entities such as the IAEA, NPP suppliers, owners, government organizations, nuclear safety regulatory authorities, and permitting municipalities. Some examples could follow the patterns observed in the work of Ruuska I. (2011).
The architecture of NPPs in a historical context can be studied using SCOT analyses, focusing on the chronology of guidelines and policies of the IAEA. Creating a short documentary, making it available to the public, and gathering people's comments would also be useful in understanding public opinion. Working with graphical information, including drawings, and creating box models of optimized NPP structures can be conducted at a later stage of research, involving undergraduate architecture and engineering students who are interested in learning about similar subjects.
Ethical Issues
The ethical and legal question is whether there should be higher liability for the engineer-architect if the mentioned changes in design are accepted by the owner and supplier of the NPP. The reason behind this is that it may, to some extent, affect current reference solutions of NPPs that have been proven over decades. This is exactly the case where design will be considered as only part of the research equation, proclaiming cultural and social bases without which there would be no architectural value.
Audience and Users
· IAEA: Findings can be used when formulating new approaches and guidelines in the nuclear industry.
· Universities: These insights can be included in programs for engineering and architecture students to provide an understanding of this subject.
· Suppliers of NPPs: Suppliers interested in diversifying their businesses may take these findings into consideration for organizational structures.
· Research Community: Researchers working on closely related topics may find this research valuable.
References
· A methodology for modular nuclear power plant design and construction (1989). Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Nuclear Engineering. Thesis (Ph. D.).
· Ameye (2010). Channelling of Nuclear Third Party Liability towards the Operator: Is It Sustainable in a Developing Nuclear World or Is There a Need for Liability of Nuclear Architects and Engineers? European Energy and Environmental Law Review.
· Architecture: Short Introduction (2007). Oxford University Press.
· C. Invernizzi, D., L. G. (2017). Managing Social Challenges in the Nuclear Decommissioning Industry: A Responsible Approach Towards Better Performance. International Journal of Project Management, 35(7), 1350-1364.
· C.W. Lapp, M. G. (1997). Modular Design and Construction Techniques for Nuclear Power Plants. Nuclear Engineering and Design, 327-349.
· David Leatherbarrow, M. M. (2002). Surface Architecture. MIT Press.
· Farahat (2016). Analytical Architectural Study on Nuclear Power Plants. Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering, 189-206.
· Lepel, A. (2006). Characteristic Structures of the Industrial Buildings from the XIX-XX Centuries and Technical Interventions for the Re-Utilization. Architecture and Civil Engineering, 1-17.
· Logan, M. (2018, October 25). Distribution Center Layout and Design - Part 2: Systematic Layout Planning. Retrieved from Bastian Solutions: [URL]
· Mani, B. (n.d.). Warehouse vs Distribution Center – What’s the Difference? Retrieved from Supply Chain Minded: [URL]
· Output, N. P. (2020). NuScale Power Announces an Additional 25 Percent Increase in NuScale Power Module. Retrieved from [URL].
· Patterson, B. (2019). Retrieved from AQUILA: [URL]
· Plans for New Reactors Worldwide (2015). Retrieved from World Nuclear Association: [URL]
· Porter, N. (2016). Power Plants Needn’t Be Ugly – Let’s Make Them Green and Beautiful. Retrieved from The Conversation: [URL]
· Rönn, M. (1996). Award-Winning Industrial Architecture. Nordisk arkitekturforskning, 37-51.
· Ruuska, I. & A. T. (2011). A New Governance Approach for Multi-Firm Projects: Lessons from Olkiluoto 3 and Flamanville 3 Nuclear Power Plant Projects. International Journal of Project Management, 29(6), 647-660.
· Sesonske (1973). Nuclear Power Plant Design Analysis. Lafayette, Ind (USA): Purdue University.
· Thomas, A. & H. R. (2012). Third Party Nuclear Liability: The Case of a Supplier in the United Kingdom. EPRG Working Paper 1205, Cambridge Working Paper in Economics 1207.
· Verbruggen (2008). Renewable and Nuclear Power: A Common Future? Energy Policy, 36(11), 4036-4047.
· Yi Wang, Y. C. (2019). Energy Efficiency of Industrial Buildings. Indoor and Built Environment, 28(3), 293–297.