The horizontal floating volume connects the two plots of the site
by the introduction of hanged bridges and glazed screen walls
over 30 meters spans. The buildings’ main structure is a flat slab
concrete system at the offices and exposed frame structure at the
lower levels. Along the outer skin, office spaces have been freed
out of columns by 4.5 to 11m deep cantilevers. All four office levels
are similar. The widest cantilevering areas are supported by large
composite beams placed on the roof. The four levels office block
stands partially on a transfer structure to enable the widespan
volume for the auditorium located within one of the hills.
Flexibility and maximizing the daylight is one of the major criteria
for the working spaces, the accessibility to the office spaces has
been organized through a set of elevated open courtyards where
the users circulate and also have the ability to rest and socialize
at lounges placed on bridges allowing many surprising views and
vistas. The transparency is used to integrate the working spaces
with the city, allowing the users to interact and to create different
experiences throughout the year.
A strong contrast awaits the user as the elevated horizontal crystal
has a sharp and decisive cantilevered appearance from outside
reflecting the sky, the landscape and the city yet the inner main axis
structured with rather by voids.
The user circulates through the outdoor ground levels following a
path which undulates like a creek between the artificial hills as with
the ground outdoor levels, the elevated volume has been designed
to allow an experience of the journey for the everyday user. Ponds
are designed to enhance the cooling effect on the outdoors as well
as on the glazed facades to reduce the temperature gain during hot
seasons.
FLEXIBILITY AND MAXIMIZING THE DAYLIGHT
IS ONE OF THE MAJOR CRITERIA FOR THE
WORKING SPACES.