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The platform as an architectural element was used in many ancient buildings. The platforms built today serve many functions, while their surface provides pedestrians with promenade space.
Such a platform, 80 m wide and 150 m long, was designed in the new residential centre of Tel Aviv. The first building to be erected on this platform is the Israel-America House of the Israel-American Chamber of Commerce, formed to promote economic and cultural relations between the two countries. It stands on a pedestrian piazza for walking and relaxation, with theatre, exhibition halls and parking being located underneath, next to a deep patio, from which wide steps ascend to the pedestrian area.
Structurally, the building is supported by the central core and by the four corner column-walls. These walls are staggered to cut off the width of the building visually, and therefore emphasize the building's height. Wide beams, in the shape of curved wings, span between the corner columns, below the window strip. Being folded in section, these beams are structurally stronger than straight beams, and their cantilever provides deep shadow to the window strip below, protecting the interior from sun and rain.
Over the double-height entrance floor develop twelve office storeys. The typical office floor is a square, 24 m by 24 m, with a central service core and without any interior structural columns. An additional open garden storey, serves as an intermediary floor between the bulk of the building and the club-room and restaurant on top. The top storey was treated in a different manner, so as to fulfil its various functions and to provide the head of the building with an identity of its own.
The platform as an architectural element was used in many ancient buildings. The platforms built today serve many functions, while their surface provides pedestrians with promenade space.
Such a platform, 80 m wide and 150 m long, was designed in the new residential centre of Tel Aviv. The first building to be erected on this platform is the Israel-America House of the Israel-American Chamber of Commerce, formed to promote economic and cultural relations between the two countries. It stands on a pedestrian piazza for walking and relaxation, with theatre, exhibition halls and parking being located underneath, next to a deep patio, from which wide steps ascend to the pedestrian area.
Structurally, the building is supported by the central core and by the four corner column-walls. These walls are staggered to cut off the width of the building visually, and therefore emphasize the building's height. Wide beams, in the shape of curved wings, span between the corner columns, below the window strip. Being folded in section, these beams are structurally stronger than straight beams, and their cantilever provides deep shadow to the window strip below, protecting the interior from sun and rain.
Over the double-height entrance floor develop twelve office storeys. The typical office floor is a square, 24 m by 24 m, with a central service core and without any interior structural columns. An additional open garden storey, serves as an intermediary floor between the bulk of the building and the club-room and restaurant on top. The top storey was treated in a different manner, so as to fulfil its various functions and to provide the head of the building with an identity of its own.
