C.P.C Headquarters / Schwartz Besnosoff Architects

Courtesy of Schwartz Besnosoff Architects

Architects: Schwartz Besnosoff Architects
Location: Yoqneam, Israel
Client: CPC Israel
Project Team: Gaby Schwartz, Julia Grinkrug, Abraham Rotal, Gilad Ulman
Project Year: 2009
Photographs: Courtesy of Schwartz Besnosoff Architects

C.P.C, a company engaged in the production and assembly of electronic circuits, has new headquarters situated on the outskirts of the town Yokneam, located at the bottom of Mount Carmel.

Courtesy of Schwartz Besnosoff Architects

The building contains production rooms, working spaces, clean (vacuum) rooms, offices, auditorium, gym rooms and office space available for startup companies to rent. The building was designed by architect Gaby Schwartz in 2006 and was ready for use in 2009.

Courtesy of Schwartz Besnosoff Architects

The external appearance of the building presents clean and simple lines. It is made from and in the shape of a cube, with sides folding inwards.

Courtesy of Schwartz Besnosoff Architects

The inside of the building reveals a central open space, which could serve as a patio or an atrium that functions as a platform with variable topography, for a variety of possibilities, such as holding exhibitions, conferences, or any other social or professional gathering.

Courtesy of Schwartz Besnosoff Architects

The open central space is the heart of all the building’s functions: from inside you can watch the production rooms, and the internal crossing and bridges connect the various levels of the factory. From the meeting rooms and dining room you can see the activities that take place in the atrium.

Section

The integrity of the design is reflected in the creation of different levels defining a variety of activity areas and informal seating areas that allow social interaction. The use of the wooden deck, outdoor furniture, vegetation and natural northern daylight inside the atrium reinforces the feeling of a patio.

Courtesy of Schwartz Besnosoff Architects

Compared to the complexity of the interior, the building’s exterior is designed as a simple structure, which nevertheless, accommodates the openings needed for the diverse requirements of the building.

Courtesy of Schwartz Besnosoff Architects

The exterior of the shell, constructed from perforated aluminum and glass epitomizes the clean modern feel of the building. The external design is mirrored in the interior walls of the central space, which define the boundaries of the internal ‘patio’ space. This design ensures the integrity of internal and external spaces. Additionally, the openings promote a sense of openness and visual connection between interior and exterior landscapes.

Roof Plan

The style of flooring has been a likened to the distinctive principles and features of “organic building”. The style of the building is reminiscent of Japanese architecture, which uses light mobile walls. Indeed, the design philosophy that accompanied the planning is characterized by its use of diagrams as generators of design, flexible planning and open ended systems.

Courtesy of Schwartz Besnosoff Architects
* Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
Cite: "C.P.C Headquarters / Schwartz Besnosoff Architects" 19 Sep 2011. ArchDaily. Accessed 18 Jun 2013. <http://www.archdaily.com/169122>

1 comment

  1. Thumb up Thumb down 0

    This building is located in the worst looking commercial district in Israel. I visited the area recently and the view from the main road is awful. This building dose nothing to improve the situation. I wish architect have more vision to come up with a better design, locally sensitive and appropriate.

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