Gensler

Yofc's Headquarters

Yofc's Headquarters
© Rawvision Studio

YOFC'S HEADQUARTERS

Gensler

ARCHITECTS
Gensler

CLIENT
Yangtze Optical Fibre And Cable Joint Stock Limited Company

PRINCIPAL IN CHARGE
Xiaomei Lee, Jennifer Liu

LIGHTING CONSULTANT
Inhabit

DESIGN DIRECTOR
Jaime Gimeno

DESIGN MANAGER
Zhen Cheng

ISUCTURE CONSULTANT
Arup

PROJECT ARCHITECT
Sheng Qiu

DESIGN TEAM
Xiaofei Liu, Ludwik Kaizerbrecht

FACADE CONSULTANT
Arup

LANDSCAPE CONSULTANT
Aura

INTERIOR DESIGN
B+h

LANDSCAPE CONSULTANT
Topenergy

LEED CONSULTANT
Topenergy

LOCAL DESIGN INSTITUTE
Citic General Institute Of Architectural Design And Research Co., Ltd

PHOTOGRAPHS
Rawvision Studio

AREA
69645 M²

YEAR
2023

LOCATION
Wuhan, China

CATEGORY
Office Buildings

The new headquarters of Yangtze Optical Fibre and Cable Joint Stock Limited Company (“YOFC”) in Wuhan is a high-tech beacon to connect, collaborate, and communicate and a manifestation of the company's success as the world's biggest optical fiber manufacturer.

Yofc's Headquarters
© Rawvision Studio
Yofc's Headquarters
© Rawvision Studio

Following a vision of high aims to truly connect the Optics Valley of China and innovative science communities in Wuhan, Gensler has designed the YOFC Headquarters with high standards, bound to create a favorable and pleasant working environment for employees and build up a better brand perception.

From the inside out

Taking a cue from optical fiber technology – where the information transmits to make connections – the space is designed around how people move, maximizing the opportunities to connect.

Yofc's Headquarters
© Rawvision Studio
Yofc's Headquarters
© Rawvision Studio

With five wings intersecting around an atrium, the unique building shape symbolizes optical fiber, YOFC's core product - reflecting the company's heritage and culture, which reaches out to every corner of the globe.

The arrival plaza, formed by the shape of the building, leads to the entrance as an inviting gesture at the center of the building.

Yofc's Headquarters
Yofc's Headquarters
© Rawvision Studio

Without any columns underneath, the 18-meter cantilever is a visually striking element for the only entrance of the complex.

The dynamic design of the space fosters a new collaborative culture of innovation with strong visual connections to the atrium.

Yofc's Headquarters
© Rawvision Studio
Yofc's Headquarters
© Rawvision Studio

The design for YOFC Headquarters connects five distinct areas into flexible work neighborhoods, centering around a seven-story atrium that fosters collaboration and encourages chance encounters.

There is a spiral staircase connecting all floors, and it is a series of platforms where impromptu interactions can take place. The staircase also creates several “pocket atriums” connected to the main atrium to achieve a dynamic flow.

Yofc's Headquarters
© Rawvision Studio
Yofc's Headquarters
© Rawvision Studio

The five wings of different sizes and widths spread out from the central atrium and mainly house the workspaces which are characterized by a high level of flexibility suited for a modern high-tech company, offering balanced spaces for focused and collaborative work to improve productivity. The floor plan is efficient, decreasing the walking distances from person to person.

Sustainable “smart facade"

YOFC and Gensler have made a big push for sustainability design interventions for the YOFC Headquarters as part of the initiatives to reach carbon-neutral targets.

Gensler has innovated a "smart façade" for the building that responds to the surrounding environment and light conditions.

Yofc's Headquarters
© Rawvision Studio
Yofc's Headquarters
© Rawvision Studio

Inspired by the Chinese tradition of lattice windows, Gensler's modern interpretation adopts high-tech solutions to control the sunlight and heat coming through the façade with sensors and motors that control the louvers.

The two-layer "smart façade" has a new design whereas the outer façade is made of two elements: the rotating louvers and the front layer of glass, which all combined have created a system that enables the building to optimize self-heating and self-cooling.

Yofc's Headquarters
© Rawvision Studio
Yofc's Headquarters
© Rawvision Studio

It adapts to extreme weather – high temperature, sun exposure, and heavy rains while conserving energy and creating a more pleasant indoor environment for employees. The façade louvers are equipped with motors and can rotate by 90 degrees, following the sun's position.

Each rotatable louver is made of expanded metal mesh – providing transparency even when fully closed. Maintenance bridges are set up to support cleaning and repairs.

Working well-being

Well-being design is about creating environments that have a positive impact on the well-being and performance of occupants. As part of Gensler's well-being design strategy, three aspects were focused on: daylight and views, accessible outdoor areas, and socially connected spaces.

Yofc's Headquarters
© Rawvision Studio
Yofc's Headquarters
© Rawvision Studio

There is a focus on creating a healthy work environment to promote wellness, help people be more productive, and foster innovation.

The distinct five-wing shape of the building creates five outdoor spaces that divide the site into five courtyards, each of which has a unique theme that offers an integrated experience for people, including an arrival plaza, a sports zone, a sunken plaza connecting to the canteen, an amphitheater, and a public garden, while all connecting to the atrium with greenery and nature.

Yofc's Headquarters
© Rawvision Studio
Yofc's Headquarters
© Rawvision Studio

Two roof terraces located vertically on the fifth and seventh floors, allow employees to collaborate and work while feeling healthier and more connected to their community.

The "smart façade" brings in natural light and visibility to each wing, coupled with the latest technologies that optimize air quality and temperature. As part of its passive natural ventilation strategy, the team proposed an operable skylight to bring fresh air into the building, providing a sense of nature and connection to the outside.

Yofc's Headquarters
© Rawvision Studio
Yofc's Headquarters
© Rawvision Studio

Designing for the future

Redefining Wuhan Optics Valley norms, the design for YOFC's new headquarters expresses the drive for innovation and connection to the company's mission and vision, which have made the company thrive.


Yofc's Headquarters
© Rawvision Studio
Yofc's Headquarters
Facade Rendering
Yofc's Headquarters
© Rawvision Studio
Yofc's Headquarters
© Rawvision Studio


Yofc's Headquarters
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Yofc's Headquarters
Model
Yofc's Headquarters
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Yofc's Headquarters
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Yofc's Headquarters
1F Plan
Yofc's Headquarters
2F Plan
Yofc's Headquarters
4F Plan
Yofc's Headquarters
Grid Diagram
Yofc's Headquarters
Atrium Diagram GIF
Yofc's Headquarters
Atrium Diagram GIF


Yofc's Headquarters
Facade Details
Yofc's Headquarters
Facade Details


Yofc's Headquarters
Atrium Perspective
Yofc's Headquarters
Facade Diagram GIF
Yofc's Headquarters
Atrium Perspective
Yofc's Headquarters
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Yofc's Headquarters
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Yofc's Headquarters
Functional Diagram GIF
Yofc's Headquarters
Functional Diagram GIF


Yofc's Headquarters
Functional Diagram
Yofc's Headquarters
Massing Diagram

Gensler
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Gensler
Thomas More Square, Thomas More St, London E1W 1YW, United Kingdom