Architect：PHTAA Living Design

Location：Nakhon Sawan, Mueang Nakhon Sawan District, Nakhon Sawan, Thailand; | ;

Project Year：2021

Category：Offices

Rice is one of Thailand’s main agricultural exports, and in recent years with the increased global demand of Thai rice, farmers can sell their produce at a higher price. This particular region is well-suited for rice farming as it is in a naturally formed basin, capturing rainfall from the surrounding mountains.

The rice mill is centrally located to service a large number of farms. Due to these factors, Lorphoonphol rice mill was in a position to be modernized and enlarged to be one of the biggest in Nakhon Sawan Province, with a daily capacity of milling 500 tonnes of rice. 

Three factors needed consideration for the general parameters of the design. Firstly, due to the low altitude of the region, flood and humidity can potentially damage rice stored in the silos and during other stages of the milling process. Secondly, the process of removing the husk from the rice grain also produces large amounts of dust, which are not only unhealthy for workers, but tend to accumulate on the exterior of buildings and where ventilation is not adequate, a problem with the existing infrastructure. Lastly, the existing structure had circulation issues, with many spaces overlapping in function and people, particularly with farmers and back of house staff, delaying the processes of rice delivery, grading and payment of farmers. 

The client’s requirements were to maintain the existing four-storey structure and repurpose its use to be office space only. Furthermore, the extension was to include a waiting and payment area for farmers, a new rice grading station, meeting rooms, and new workers’ canteen.