--- slug: braccialini-hq title: Braccialini HQ — New parametric facade for the Graziella Braccialini factory in Scandicci hero_subtitle: "A perforated aluminium screen envelops the Florentine brand’s headquarters: high-performance solar shading, natural ventilation and a contemporary identity for a production facility that has become a landmark." year: "2022" location: Scandicci (FI), Tuscany typology: Corporate vertical_primary: Architettura Specialistica vertical_primary_slug: public-commercial-architecture badge_raw: 2022 · Scandicci (FI), Tuscany · Corporate · Public & Commercial Architecture · Digital & Parametric Design scheda: Location: Scandicci (FI), Tuscany, Italy Year: "2022" Client: Graziella Holding Spa — 'Braccialini Front Wall' Ideas Competition (in collaboration with the Florence Architects’ Foundation) Typology: Facade refurbishment — Headquarters Status: Competition proposal Designers: Micaela Colella (group leader), Maurizio Barberio, Angelo Figliola Main materials: Perforated aluminium (facade panels), integrated LEDs images: - filename: braccialini-hq-exterior-rendering-night.jpg alt: Rendering of the facade of the Braccialini HQ in Scandicci at dusk caption: "The new aluminium facade at dusk: the horizontal waves and LED beams create a landmark that is clearly visible from the motorway." - filename: braccialini-hq-exterior-rendering-twilight.jpg alt: Night-time view of the Braccialini factory with LED lighting caption: At night, the LED lighting built into the horizontal bands transforms the factory into a luminous landmark in the industrial landscape. - filename: braccialini-hq-facade-concept-diagram.jpg alt: "Braccialini competition drawing: details of the parametric facade" caption: The competition rendering shows the system of perforated aluminium panels, with the bending processes that create the undulating effect of the facade. - filename: braccialini-hq-facade-detail-exploded.jpg alt: "Competition entry: performance analysis of the Braccialini facade" caption: Performance analyses demonstrate a reduction in incident solar radiation and the elimination of glare in workspaces. - filename: braccialini-hq-solar-radiation-analysis.jpg alt: Construction details of the aluminium facade panels at Braccialini caption: "The construction detail: the modular panels are anchored to the existing metal framework without the need for an additional substructure, with a thickness of just 50 cm." faq_count: 6 related_slugs: - wellness-club - binbaz-towers cta: title: Does your company need a new identity and better performance? body: The Braccialini HQ project demonstrates that a facade can transform an industrial building into a brand landmark without demolishing the existing structure, whilst improving comfort and energy consumption. If your headquarters no longer reflects your company’s values, we can work with you to design a solution that combines brand identity, performance and buildability. button: Let’s talk about your project microcopy: "[Let’s talk about your project]" hero_image: braccialini-hq-exterior-rendering-night.jpg gallery_renders: - filename: braccialini-hq-exterior-rendering-twilight.jpg alt: Night-time view of the Braccialini factory with LED lighting caption: At night, the LED lighting built into the horizontal bands transforms the factory into a luminous landmark in the industrial landscape. - filename: braccialini-hq-exterior-rendering-night.jpg alt: Rendering of the facade of the Braccialini HQ in Scandicci at dusk caption: "The new aluminium facade at dusk: the horizontal waves and LED beams create a landmark that is clearly visible from the motorway." gallery_drawings: - filename: braccialini-hq-facade-concept-diagram.jpg alt: "Braccialini competition drawing: details of the parametric facade" caption: The competition rendering shows the system of perforated aluminium panels, with the bending processes that create the undulating effect of the facade. - filename: braccialini-hq-solar-radiation-analysis.jpg alt: Construction details of the aluminium facade panels at Braccialini caption: "The construction detail: the modular panels are anchored to the existing metal framework without the need for an additional substructure, with a thickness of just 50 cm." - filename: braccialini-hq-facade-detail-exploded.jpg alt: "Competition entry: performance analysis of the Braccialini facade" caption: Performance analyses demonstrate a reduction in incident solar radiation and the elimination of glare in workspaces. --- # Braccialini HQ — New parametric facade for the Graziella Braccialini factory in Scandicci _A perforated aluminium curtain wraps around the Florentine brand’s headquarters: high-performance solar shading, natural ventilation and a contemporary identity for a production facility that has become a landmark._ **2022 · Scandicci (FI), Tuscany · Corporate · Public & Commercial Architecture · Digital & Parametric Design** --- ## An industrial building that becomes a brand The Graziella Braccialini factory in Scandicci, situated along a major motorway artery in the Florence area, is an industrial building with a problem common to many Italian production sites: a building envelope that conveys nothing of the brand it houses, does not adequately protect the interior spaces from solar radiation and does not offer comfortable working conditions. The ‘Braccialini Front Wall’ design competition, organised by Graziella Holding in collaboration with the Fondazione Architetti Firenze, called for precisely this: to rethink the building’s identity starting from the facade, transforming an anonymous warehouse into a recognisable landmark. Barberio Colella Architetti’s proposal tackles the problem on two simultaneous levels: identity and performance. The building is wrapped in a white aluminium drape which, like a new skin, abandons the rigidity of the metal through folding operations and forms soft horizontal waves. The bands open up at the windows, maintaining transparency where needed and providing protection where necessary. The horizontal nature of the forms, emphasised by beams of LED light, creates a new landmark characterised by aerodynamic and contemporary lines, recognisable and clearly visible from the motorway in both directions. But the facade is not merely about appearance: it is a functional layer. The aluminium panels are perforated with a dense pattern that filters incident solar radiation during the summer, reducing the energy load required for cooling of the interior spaces. The same perforation allows for natural ventilation of the spaces behind the facade. Analyses conducted by the team demonstrate that the solution eliminates glare in the workspaces, whilst preserving the view to the outside. The result is a measurable increase in the comfort and well-being of the occupants — a factor that research links directly to productivity. The choice of aluminium was guided by criteria of sustainability and practicality: infinitely recyclable without losing its physical and mechanical properties, ductile, lightweight, resistant to oxidation and non-combustible. The division of the facade into modular panels follows the existing metal structure, anchoring itself without any additional substructure to ensure quick and easy installation. The overall thickness of the installation is just 50 centimetres. The project was developed by Micaela Colella (team leader), Maurizio Barberio and Angelo Figliola as part of the ideas competition organised by Graziella Holding. --- ## Image gallery ![Render of the Braccialini HQ facade in Scandicci at dusk](images/braccialini-hq/braccialini-hq-exterior-rendering-night.jpg) *The new aluminium facade at dusk: the horizontal waves and LED strips create a landmark visible from the motorway.* ![Night view of the Braccialini factory with LED lighting](images/braccialini-hq/braccialini-hq-exterior-rendering-twilight.jpg) *At night, the LED lighting integrated into the horizontal bands transforms the factory into a luminous landmark in the industrial landscape.* ![Braccialini competition drawing: details of the parametric facade](images/braccialini-hq/braccialini-hq-facade-concept-diagram.jpg) *The competition drawing shows the system of perforated aluminium panels with the bending operations that generate the waves of the facade.* ![Braccialini competition drawing: façade performance analysis](images/braccialini-hq/braccialini-hq-facade-detail-exploded.jpg) *The performance analyses demonstrate the reduction in incident solar radiation and the elimination of glare in the workspaces.* ![Construction detail of Braccialini façade aluminium panels](images/braccialini-hq/braccialini-hq-solar-radiation-analysis.jpg) *Construction detail: the modular panels are anchored to the existing metal structure without any additional substructure, with a thickness of just 50 cm.* --- ## Technical specifications - **Location:** Scandicci (FI), Tuscany, Italy - **Year:** 2022 - **Client:** Graziella Holding Spa — ‘Braccialini Front Wall’ design competition (in collaboration with Fondazione Architetti Firenze) - **Typology:** Facade refurbishment — Headquarters - **Status:** Competition entry - **Designers:** Micaela Colella (lead designer), Maurizio Barberio, Angelo Figliola - **BCA Vertical:** Public & Commercial Architecture (primary) · Digital & Parametric Design (secondary) - **Main materials:** Perforated aluminium (facade panels), integrated LEDs --- ## How can a brand’s headquarters be transformed into a building that communicates its identity without compromising performance? Many Italian companies operate from industrial or commercial buildings constructed in the 1970s–1990s, which are functional but lack identity. When the brand evolves — as in the case of Braccialini, which has redefined the image of its stores — the production headquarters lags behind: it does not communicate the company’s values, does not offer adequate comfort to workers, and does not stand out in the landscape. The temptation is a superficial makeover: a new colour, a larger logo. But the problem is structural: the building envelope underperforms, comfort is mediocre, and the image is generic. With the Braccialini HQ project, BCA demonstrates that a facade can simultaneously serve as brand identity, high-performance solar shading and a natural ventilation system — without demolishing the existing structure. --- ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Is it possible to refurbish the facade of an industrial building without interrupting production? Yes. The Braccialini HQ project was designed to be anchored to the existing metal structure without any additional substructure. The division into prefabricated modular panels allows for rapid installation, without the need for intrusive scaffolding or prolonged interruptions to production. The overall thickness of the intervention — 50 cm — does not alter the building’s volume and does not require significant planning amendments. ### How much does a high-performance facade contribute to reducing energy consumption? Well-designed solar shading can reduce the summer cooling load by 20–40%, depending on orientation and climate. In the Braccialini case, analyses demonstrate a significant reduction in solar radiation striking the exposed walls, resulting in lower air-conditioning costs. Perforations in the panels ensure continuous natural ventilation, further reducing reliance on mechanical systems. The energy savings are complemented by improved visual comfort — the elimination of glare — which research links to measurable increases in productivity. ### Why choose aluminium for an industrial facade? Aluminium is infinitely recyclable without any loss of properties — a tangible and certifiable ESG benefit. It is lightweight (it does not overload the existing structure), ductile (allowing the bends that create the facade’s undulations), resistant to oxidation (low maintenance costs over the life cycle (LCA)) and non-combustible (fire compliance without additional treatments). For a retrofit project on an existing structure, these properties eliminate many of the structural and regulatory complexities that other materials would entail. ### How does parametric design work when applied to an industrial facade? Parametric design allows complex geometries — such as the waves of the Braccialini facade — to be generated from controllable parameters: bending angle, perforation pitch, and window openings. Each panel is different but generated by the same algorithm, ensuring formal variety through a repeatable and industrialisable production process. The parametric model also incorporates performance analyses: the density of perforations varies according to solar orientation, optimising shading where it is most needed. ### Which architectural firms in Italy design parametric facades for corporate and industrial buildings? Barberio Colella Architetti, based in Bari, combines expertise in parametric design and Public & Commercial Architecture for non-residential buildings. The Braccialini HQ project demonstrates the ability to translate a parametric concept into a buildable construction system, with a focus on energy performance and brand identity. The firm won the competition for the EY headquarters in Bari (organised by CBRE Italia) and has developed parametric facades for international projects. ### Was the project realised or did it remain at the competition stage? The project was developed as part of the ‘Braccialini Front Wall’ ideas competition, promoted by Graziella Holding Spa in collaboration with the Fondazione Architetti Firenze in 2022. However, the project was developed with a strong emphasis on the actual construction phase. --- ## Does your company headquarters need a new identity and better performance? The Braccialini HQ project demonstrates that a facade can transform an industrial building into a brand landmark without demolishing the existing structure, whilst improving comfort and energy consumption. If your headquarters no longer reflects your company’s values, we can work together to design a solution that integrates identity, performance and buildability. **[Let’s discuss your project]** _[Let’s discuss your project]_ --- ## Related projects - **Wellness Club** — Wellness centre with parametric building envelope in Bologna - **BinBaz Towers** — Parametric façades for residential towers in Riyadh _Discover our approach to Public & Commercial Architecture →_