Vijayawada headquarters designed by Studio UF+O features layered facade

Studio UF+O has designed ‘Screened Space’, a headquarters and experience centre for an electrical switches company located in the historic core of Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. The approximately 8,600 square foot project addresses the challenges of a dense urban environment characterized by narrow streets and exposed infrastructure.

The building utilizes a zoned layout, placing the public experience centre on the ground and first floors while reserving the upper levels for workspaces. The design incorporates Vastu principles, positioning lighter, open zones in the northeast and heavier volumes in the southwest. To manage natural light and social interaction, the architects integrated courtyards and double-height volumes.

A specialized double-layered facade system was developed to manage solar heat gain and privacy on the upper floors. This system features a metal mesh with varying densities to mitigate direct southern sunlight, while an air gap between the glass and the mesh supports the building’s thermal performance. The ground level features a 24-foot slanting glazed frontage to maintain a visual connection with the street.