COAST CABLES LIMITED, one of East Africa’s oldest and most respected manufacturers of electrical power cables, has taken a significant step in its growth journey with the construction of a large new manufacturing plant, warehouse and offices at Tilisi Logistics Park. The expansion marks a strategic shift aimed at increasing production capacity, improving distribution efficiency, and positioning the company closer to its rapidly expanding customer base. We spoke to Architect Iqbal Deogun of Spire Studio Architects on various aspects of the project.
At Tilisi Logistics Park, a new industrial landmark is redefining what a modern manufacturing facility can be. Designed by Spire Studio Architects under the leadership of Iqbal Deogun, the Coast Cables production complex brings together precision engineering, sustainability, and architectural clarity in a project that challenges conventional notions of industrial design.
From the outset, the vision was clear: to create more than just a factory shell. “The goal was to build a future-proof, state-of-the-art facility based on the client’s current and evolving manufacturing process,” explains Deogun. This ambition shaped a design approach that turned traditional industrial architecture inside out. Rather than forcing machinery into a predefined envelope, the building itself was conceived as an extension of the production line. Every spatial decision—from circulation to clearances—was derived from the operational logic of the equipment it houses.
This philosophy is perhaps most evident in the meticulous planning of the production floor. High-capacity cable extruders, each with strict maintenance envelopes, dictated the internal geometry. By mapping these requirements early in the design process, the team ensured not only operational efficiency but also enhanced safety and comfort for workers. “We ensured that workflow remains efficient and that staff are never cramped against moving parts,” Deogun notes, underscoring the project’s human-centred ethos.
Yet, despite its technical rigour, the Coast Cables facility resists the anonymity often associated with industrial buildings. Instead, it embraces what Deogun describes as “functional art”—an approach where performance and expression are inseparable. The building’s elevation is carefully articulated through contrasting materials and the bold integration of the client’s corporate colours, transforming it into what he calls “a 24/7 billboard.” This deliberate aesthetic move allows the facility to stand out within Tilisi while reinforcing Coast Cables’ brand identity.
The architectural language extends beyond the building envelope into the landscape. Gabion retaining walls, rising up to six metres in response to the site’s sloping topography, provide both structural resilience and visual texture. Their permeability allows natural drainage, while their organic character softens the transition between the industrial complex and its surroundings. “We wanted the building to feel integrated rather than imposed,” says Deogun, reflecting a broader commitment to working with, rather than against, the site.
This sensitivity to context is matched by a strong emphasis on sustainability. The facility leverages natural light through polycarbonate skylights, significantly reducing daytime energy demand, while cross-ventilation strategies harness prevailing winds to minimise reliance on mechanical cooling. The roof has been engineered to support future solar installations, positioning the development for a transition to renewable energy. Water management is equally considered, with permeable paving, efficient sanitary fittings, and integrated drainage systems contributing to a circular approach to resource use.
Beyond environmental performance, the project also reflects a deep engagement with the technical demands of modern manufacturing. The inclusion of machine pits reaching depths of three metres, strategically located power infrastructure, and dedicated zones for lubricants and fluids all point to a design process grounded in collaboration. “We worked directly with machine specialists and engineers to decode the technical specifications of the production lines,” Deogun explains. This close coordination ensured that the building’s “nervous system”—its services and infrastructure—operates with maximum efficiency and reliability.
Such integration proved particularly critical given the broader economic challenges surrounding the project’s delivery. Constructed over approximately one year, with completion in late 2025, the facility navigated a period marked by fluctuating material costs and supply chain disruptions. In response, the design team adopted a highly coordinated approach, centralising communication and maintaining strict adherence to the Tilisi Development Code to avoid costly delays and revisions.
Flexibility, too, was a key driver of the design. The site plan deliberately leaves room for future expansion, while the internal layout incorporates modular systems that allow new machinery to be integrated with minimal disruption. Heavy-duty cable trays and adaptable service routes ensure that the facility can evolve alongside advances in production technology, reinforcing its long-term value.
Ultimately, however, the success of the Coast Cables facility lies not only in its technical sophistication but in the experience it creates for its users. For workers, the design offers a departure from the typical “closed box” factory environment, replacing it with a space defined by light, openness, and dignity. For visitors, the journey through the building—from its striking exterior to office spaces overlooking the production floor—reveals a seamless connection between corporate identity and industrial process.
“Our ultimate goal was to create a space that communicates dignity, efficiency, and innovation,” says Deogun. In achieving this, the Coast Cables facility stands as a compelling example of how industrial architecture, when approached with intent and imagination, can transcend its utilitarian roots to become something far more enduring.
