Putting Wood on a Pedestal: The Rise of Mid-Rise Podium Design

Podium construction – alternately known as platform or pedestal construction – is a building typology characterized by a horizontal division between a lower ‘podium’ and an upper tower. The podium, which is typically made of concrete or steel, is crowned by multiple light wood-frame stories. Often, the lighter upper structure contains four to five stories of residential units, while the podium houses retail, commercial, or office spaces and above- or below-grade parking. An alternative configuration sports six to seven residential stories (including the podium) and subterranean parking. Some visible examples of this podium construction style include the amenity-rich Stella residences designed by DesignArc; an attractive yet cost-effective student housing project for the University of Washington by Mahlum Architects; and the warm, modern University House Arena District also designed by Mahlum Architects in Eugene, Oregon.

CA Killefer Flammang Architects' New Genesis Apartments (Los Angeles, USA). Image © K.C. Kim, GB Construction
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Cite: Lilly Cao. "Putting Wood on a Pedestal: The Rise of Mid-Rise Podium Design" 29 Nov 2019. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/927592/putting-wood-on-a-pedestal-the-rise-of-mid-rise-podium-design> ISSN 0719-8884

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