FORM CONCEPT

One form concept for mixed-use buildings is the "podium-tower" design. In this
design, the lower levels of the building are dedicated to commercial and retail uses,
while the upper levels are dedicated to BPO office units. The commercial and retail
uses are often housed in a podium-like structure, which is typically 2-5 stories high
and provides a solid base for the tower above. The residential units are then built on
top of the podium in a tower-like structure, which can rise as high as 50 stories or
more.

The podium-tower design is popular for several reasons. First, it allows for a variety
of uses to be housed in one building, which can help create a vibrant and lively
neighborhood. Second, it can help to mitigate some of the negative impacts of high-
density development, such as traffic congestion and noise pollution, by separating
commercial uses from residential uses. Finally, the podium-tower design can be an
efficient use of space, as it allows for high-density development while still providing a
mix of uses that can serve the needs of the surrounding community.

PODIUM - TOWER
DEVELOPING PODUIM TOWER STRATEGIES

Identify the needs of the community: Start by researching the needs of the
community where the building will be located. Are there gaps in the market for
certain types of retail or commercial spaces? What types of housing are in demand?
Understanding the needs of the community will help you determine the mix of uses
that should be included in the building.

 Consider the site: Look at the site where the building will be located and
consider its context. What are the surrounding buildings like? What is the
scale of the neighborhood? What are the zoning regulations? This information
will help you determine the appropriate height and massing of the building.

 Develop a program: Based on the needs of the community and the context of
the site, develop a program that outlines the mix of uses that will be included
in the building. For example, you might include ground-floor retail, second-
floor office space, and residential units on the upper floors.

 Design the podium: Once you have a program, design the podium portion of
the building. Consider how it will interact with the street and the surrounding
 neighborhood. The podium should be designed to provide a strong base for
the tower above and create an inviting environment for pedestrians.

 Design the tower: Finally, design the tower portion of the building. Consider
the size and layout of the residential units, as well as the building's overall
height and massing. The tower should be designed to complement the
podium below and create a cohesive and attractive building overall.

GEOMETRICAL FORMS

1. Triangular Podium: Instead of a traditional rectangular podium, consider

designing a triangular podium. This can create a dynamic and asymmetrical
shape for the base of the building.
2. Zigzag Tower: Designing the tower portion of the building with a zigzag
shape can add interest and variety to the building's massing. This can also
create balconies or terraces for the residential units that have unique views of
the surrounding area.
3. Hexagonal or Octagonal Tower: Designing the tower portion of the building
with a hexagonal or octagonal shape can create a unique and eye-catching
building. This can also allow for more corner units and windows, which can
provide more natural light and views for the residential units.
 4. Circular Podium: Instead of a traditional rectangular podium, consider
designing a circular or oval-shaped podium. This can create a softer and more
organic shape for the base of the building.

5. Pyramid Tower: Designing the tower portion of the building with a pyramid
shape can create a distinctive and dramatic silhouette. This can also create
more outdoor space at the top of the building for amenities like rooftop
gardens or pool decks.

ORGANIC FORMS
1. Curved Podium: Instead of a traditional rectangular podium, consider
designing a curved or undulating podium. This can create a more organic and
fluid shape for the base of the building.
2. Tree-like Tower: Designing the tower portion of the building to resemble a
tree can create a sense of natural elegance. This can be achieved by
incorporating branches, leaves, and other organic elements into the building's
facade.

3. Wave-like Tower: Designing the tower portion of the building to resemble

ocean waves can create a sense of fluidity and movement. This can be
achieved by incorporating curves, flowing lines, and other organic shapes into
the building's design.

4. Garden-like Podium: Instead of a traditional paved or concrete podium,

consider designing a podium that resembles a garden or park. This can create
a building that feels like an extension of the natural environment, and can
provide green space and other amenities for the community.
DESIGN CONSIDERATION

Landscape

 Analyze the site: Assess the site's topography, soil conditions, drainage, and
microclimate. These factors will affect the selection of plants, materials, and
layout of the landscape.

 Determine the building's function: Consider the building's intended use and
the needs of its occupants. For example, if the building includes residential
units, you might want to include areas for relaxation and recreation.

 Create zones: Divide the landscape into functional zones such as a public
plaza, private garden, and commercial spaces. Each zone should have a
distinct character and purpose.

 Choose appropriate plants: Select plants that are suitable for the site's
conditions, climate, and maintenance requirements. Consider using native
species to promote biodiversity and reduce maintenance costs.
  Incorporate sustainable features: Integrate sustainable features such as rain
gardens, green roofs, and permeable paving to manage stormwater runoff,
reduce heat island effect, and improve air quality.

 Consider accessibility: Ensure that the landscape is accessible to people of all

abilities. Incorporate ramps, wide paths, and seating areas.

 Use lighting: Lighting can enhance the landscape's aesthetics and improve
safety. Install lighting fixtures that are energy-efficient and complement the
landscape's design.

 Select appropriate materials: Choose materials that are durable, sustainable,

and visually appealing. Consider using locally sourced materials to reduce
transportation costs and support the local economy.
Design Elements

There are several elements you can add to the exterior of a mixed-use building to
enhance its appearance and functionality. Here are some suggestions:

 Outdoor seating: Provide seating areas such as benches, chairs, or tables to

encourage social interaction and create a welcoming atmosphere for visitors
and residents.

 Greenery: Incorporate plantings such as trees, shrubs, and flowers to add

color, texture, and natural beauty to the exterior. Vertical gardens or green
walls can also be used to soften the building's appearance and improve air
quality.

 Lighting: Install outdoor lighting to enhance the building's architectural

features and improve visibility at night. Consider using energy-efficient LED
lights or solar-powered lighting to reduce energy costs.

 Artwork: Install sculptures, murals, or other types of artwork to create visual

interest and add cultural value to the building's exterior.

 Signage: Use well-designed signage to promote the building's businesses and

services and to enhance the building's identity.
  Canopies: Install canopies or awnings to provide shade and protection from
the elements for pedestrians and outdoor seating areas.

 Bike racks: Provide secure bike parking to encourage sustainable

transportation options and improve the building's accessibility.

 Water features: Incorporate a water feature such as a fountain or waterfall to

create a calming and relaxing atmosphere for visitors and residents.

Exterior Elements

Sun shading is an important element to consider when designing the exterior of a

mixed-use building. Here are some options for incorporating sun shading into the
building's design:

- Awnings: Awnings are a popular sun shading option for commercial

buildings. They can be customized to fit the building's style and color
scheme and can be retractable or fixed.
- Louvers: Louvers are a type of shading device that can be fixed or
adjustable. They are typically made of metal or wood and can be
angled to block the sun's rays while still allowing ventilation and natural
light.

- Trellises: Trellises are a type of shading device that is often used in

residential settings but can also be used for commercial buildings.
They can be made of wood, metal, or other materials and can support
climbing plants for additional shading and aesthetics.

- Canopies: Canopies are similar to awnings but provide more coverage

and can be designed to be retractable or fixed. They can be made of
fabric or metal and can be customized to fit the building's style.
 - Brise-soleil: Brise-soleil is a type of sun shading device that is typically
made of metal or wood and is installed on the exterior of the building's
facade. They can be angled to block the sun's rays while still allowing
natural light into the building.

DESIGN CONSIDERATION (SLOPED)

CUT AND FILL:
This describes the process of carving out a level plinth on a sloping site, in order to
build a home that is essentially designed for use on a level site. Any spoil that is cut
from the bank is reserved in order for it to be brought back to make up the levels on
the lower edge.
Depending on the type of slope you are working with, this can be a more cost-
effective solution as you don’t have to cart spoil away from site.
STILTS:
Building on stilts is one way of addressing steeply sloped sites. This avoids the need
for expensive foundations and also negates the requirement for tanking.
The other benefit is that it leaves the ground untouched. It could also be
implemented on multiple levels as shown.

BASEMENTS AND RETAINING WALLS:

When creating basements on sloped terrain, the walls are often subject to a lot of
force from the surrounding banks of land and therefore become retaining walls.
Structural engineers will need to be involved in the design of these structures, and
the detail design stage is important to ensure good water proofing.
Another option is stepping the ground by using low level retaining walls, or gabion
walls.
DRAINAGE:
Your sloping site may dictate higher building cost with regard to drainage and
sewers, depending on the size of the project. If the sewerage system is uphill from
the site, will you need to have pumping systems installed? If the system is downhill,
you may need to slow flow down to the sewers.
You will need to consider water run off from the site and make sure you make
sufficient measures to deal with surface water. Investigate soakaways and drainage
channels to make sure your surface water is dealt with correctly and doesn’t end up
flooding your lower floor or the surrounding area.

VIEWS:
This about views and maximizing the views wherever possible. One benefit to having
a steep site is that you can look at designing a stepped building which means lots of
opportunity for slimmer rooms with glazing – and views. Investigate change in levels
within your building and how these relate to each other and offer views out of the site
and beyond. You could be looking over the roofs of the lower parts of the building
from the upper. With this in mind think about interesting roof finishes or maybe
sedum, green roofs. There is also the opportunity for terraces and outside spaces.

ACCESS:
Think about access and how people will be able to move through and around the
steep site.

IMPACT ANALYSIS
SITE ANALYSIS

SITE SILANG, CAVITE

TOTAL AREA 25,000 SQM

SILANG, CAVITE TOTAL SQM 209.43 square kilometers
INCOME CLASS 1st municipal income class
POPULATION 71,463 households
POPULATION DENSITY 1,400 inhabitants per square kilometre
GROWTH RATE positive growth rate of 3.76%,
SWOT ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS:

- Unique offering: A slope provides a unique selling point that could

differentiate the business from competitors.
- Natural attraction: Many people are drawn to outdoor activities, such as
skiing, snowboarding, or sledding, which could increase the potential
customer base.
- Repeat business: Skiers and snowboarders are often passionate about
the sport and will return to the slope multiple times in a season, which
could generate repeat business and loyal customers.
- Potential for seasonal revenue: A slope business could generate
significant revenue during peak winter months when demand for winter
sports is high.

WEAKNESSES:

- Dependent on the weather: A slope business is highly dependent on

the weather, and a lack of snow or too much snow could prevent
operation or reduce profitability.
- High capital costs: Establishing a slope business requires significant
upfront capital investment in land, equipment, and personnel.
- Competition: Depending on the location, there may be existing ski
resorts or slopes that offer similar activities, which could limit the
potential customer base or require the business to compete
aggressively for customers.
- Limited use: A slope business may have limited use during non-winter
months, which could impact revenue generation.

Opportunities:

- Expansion of offerings: The business could explore opportunities to

expand its offering beyond skiing and snowboarding to attract a wider
customer base, such as snowshoeing or tubing.
- Partnerships: The business could explore partnerships with local hotels
or travel agencies to offer bundled packages, which could increase
revenue and customer reach.
.
 - Development of technology: Technological advancements in snow-
making and grooming equipment could help reduce the impact of
weather fluctuations and increase operational efficiency.

THREATS:

- Climate change: The impact of climate change could reduce the

number of days with suitable conditions for skiing and snowboarding,
which could impact revenue and profitability.
- Economic downturn: A recession or economic downturn could reduce
discretionary spending on leisure activities, which could impact the
business's revenue and profitability.
- Changes in consumer preferences: Changes in consumer preferences
or a shift towards alternative winter sports or leisure activities could
reduce demand for skiing and snowboarding.
- Legal and regulatory issues: The slope business could face legal or
regulatory issues, such as zoning laws, safety regulations, or liability
concerns, which could impact its operations or profitability.

USER ANALYSIS

5. Business owners: Business owners who lease space in the building would
be a key user group. They would be attracted by the building's location,
accessibility, and amenities, as well as the availability of nearby retail and
dining options. They would also be interested in the quality of the building's
infrastructure, including utilities, security, and maintenance services.

6. Employees: The employees of businesses located in the building would also

be key users. They would be interested in the quality of the workspace,
including natural light, air quality, noise levels, and ergonomic features. They
would also be attracted by the convenience of the location, the availability of
parking and public transportation options, and the proximity to retail and
dining options.

7. Customers: The retail and service businesses located in the building would
attract customers from the surrounding area. These customers would be
interested in the convenience of the location, the quality of the retail and
dining options, and the availability of parking and public transportation
options.
 8. Tenants: If the building includes residential units, the tenants would be
another key user group. They would be interested in the quality of the living
space, including natural light, air quality, noise levels, and safety features.
They would also be attracted by the convenience of the location, the
availability of parking and public transportation options, and the proximity to
retail and dining options.

9. Freelancers and independent professionals: Freelancers and independent

professionals who lease office space in the building would be interested in the
quality of the workspace, the availability of shared amenities, such as
conference rooms and coworking spaces, and the opportunity to network with
other professionals in the building.

10. Non-profit organizations: Non-profit organizations who lease office space in

the building would be interested in the quality of the workspace, the
availability of shared amenities, and the opportunity to collaborate with other
organizations in the building on community projects.

Reference

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Developers?” National
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floor-retailspaces-pencil-out-multifamily-developers.
Baldock, Melissa. 2004. “Preserving the Honky-Tonk: Coney Island’s Future In Its
Amusement Past.”
Future Anterior: Journal of Historic Preservation History, Theory and Criticism 1
(1):17–24.
Balsas, Carlos J.L. 2014. “Downtown Resilience: A Review of Recent
(Re)Developments in Tempe,
Arizona.” Cities 36. Elsevier Ltd:158–69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2012.10.002.

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