SECOND SKIN: A UNIFIED SCENARIO
Design: Grid Architecture Office
Principle Architects: Mina Saadatfard, Ali Arzaghi
Design Team: Parham Ostovar, Farnaz Haghi
Visualisation Team: Saman Gholami Shirazi, Samane Michael Qashqaei
Client: Poursazeh Paydar Pars Co.
Year: 2025
Location: Shiraz, South Motahari Blvd
This alternative follows a common subdivision scheme for office floors, dividing each floor into two separate units with similar areas and compositions. However, this design introduces a unique approach with a “hanging” second façade that wraps around the building’s envelope, creating an original formal composition.


The façade is split by two vertical shafts that draw light inside and introduce a sense of irregularity into floor plans. The design embraces a sculptural and monumental theme, presenting the envelope as unified form that veils the inner functions.
In terms of material selection, we propose two distinct strategies: one that emphasizes on the visual weight of the hanging form of the office floors with irregular cracks where windows are placed, while the second highlights the veil-like character of the wrapper, creating a visual illusion and benefits from the maximum light and view.
