of
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, at the bottom of Mount Carmel. The building contains the production rooms, working spaces, clean (vacuum) rooms, offices, auditorium, gym rooms and office space for rent to startup companies. The building was designed by architect Gaby Schwartz in 2006 and was ready for use in 2010.
The external appearance of the building presents clean and simple lines. It is made from aluminum and glass in the shape of a cube, whose sides fold inwards. 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. 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 connecting the various levels of the factory. From the meeting rooms and dining room you can see the activities that take place in the atrium.
The shape and layout of the entrance floor in the atrium reflects the authentic topography of the site. This organic image originates from outside the building and continues into the heart of the building. The parquet flooring leads the visitors entering the building through the entrance level to the main level. 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.
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. The exterior of the shell, constructed from perforated aluminum and glass epitomises 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.
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 characterised by its use of diagrams as generators of design, flexible planning and open ended systems.