Podium-style construction involves a horizontal separation between an upper building and a lower, or podium, building. The lower building typically is constructed out of concrete; the upper building (some three to five stories tall) is made of wood.
What is podium construction?
What is Podium Construction? Also known as pedestal or platform construction, podium construction is a type of building characterized by horizontal divisions between an upper tower and a lower “podium.” Usually, the podium is made of steel or concrete and then topped by multiple wood frame stories.
What are the advantages of podium-style buildings?
The engineered beams used in podium construction offer durability and strength in the whole structure for high-demanding applications. This makes the podium-style building just as strong and sturdy as other types of concrete buildings.
What are podiums made of?
Usually, the podium is made of steel or concrete and then topped by multiple wood frame stories. Common podium configurations include 4 – 5 stories for residential spaces on top of commercial, retail, and parking spaces below
What are the best tips for podium construction?
One essential constructability considerations that you should make during podium construction is the installation of post-tension cast-in-place. A lot goes on here, including the post-tension tendons, utilities, drainpipes, block-outs, rebar, additional steel at the top column, raised curbs, and embed plates.
What is the podium in construction?
In the construction industry, podium construction is typically defined as a construction method that divides a building into lower and upper portions. The lower portion, the “podium”, is typically a single story or two and is built of a robust structural system, such as steel or reinforced concrete.
What is a podium Foundation?
Podium slabs are unique type of floor system that transfers loads from a steel or wood frame structure above the slab to concrete walls and columns below. Podium Slab consists of a 1- to 2-story reinforced or post tension concrete podium that allows several stories of light-frame wood framing above it.
What is the meaning of podium floor?
Podium means the ground floor and immediate floors above the ground floor of a building that form the base section of a mid- to high-rise building. (
What is the advantage of podium?
Advantages of podium slabs Provide solid separation between parking areas and living spaces and consequently offers sound and fire protection. The application of post-tensioned two-way podium slab permits the decrease of overall thickness of the frame.
How do you make a podium plan?
0:0410:32How to Build a Rolling Podium - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThey don't need to be fixed into the podium i'm going to use dados for the top. And bottom shelves.MoreThey don't need to be fixed into the podium i'm going to use dados for the top. And bottom shelves. And i'm going to try. And hinge the very top where i'll keep my notes or textbook.
How much does it cost to build a podium?
Of the four typologies used by designers, on-grade, walk-up apartments with open parking are the least expensive. Then comes wood podium, at about $27 per square foot of garage space, and wraps at $35 per square foot. Concrete podium garages top out at almost $45 per square foot.
What is podium in flat?
the podium is a raised structure which is higher than its surroundings. it is an elevated platform on which a building rests. the podium separates the two spaces, namely living and parking. what is a podium slab? a podium slab is a structural floor of a building.
What is a podium deck?
Podium decks are external platforms between and/or attached to building structures and can be utilised for car parks, leisure spaces, recreational spaces, patio terraces and gardens. A podium deck provides a number of options for usage for the building owner.
What is a podium?
What is Podium Construction? Also known as pedestal or platform construction, podium construction is a type of building characterized by horizontal divisions between an upper tower and a lower “podium.”. Usually, the podium is made of steel or concrete and then topped by multiple wood frame stories.
What is concrete podium?
Concrete podiums are perfect for ground-floor retail and commercial spaces while giving an entirely different feel of residential spaces above. The use of residential and commercial spaces in one building is an attractive value to many tenants, especially those who are looking for the convenience of amenities. As a result, this may increase the value of your property.
Why is precast concrete used for podium construction?
This podium construction is a favorite to many people because it comes with excellent construction speed and provides a safe working platform. Pre-stressed, precast concrete is formed offsite and transported to the construction site. This is especially helpful for projects with limited sites or those that don’t allow for the stressing of post-tension tendons.
What are the challenges of podium construction?
One of the most common challenges during podium construction is designing the interface between the lower podium slab and the upper wood superstructure. For seamless load transfer, the podium slabs should have the appropriate design strength to resist total axial force.
How many stories can a podium building go?
The International Building Code (IBC), defines podium buildings as two separate structures built on top of one another. For example, construction Type III-A can go up to 4 stories or 65 feet, while Type V-A is allowed to go up to three stories or 50 feet.
What are the advantages of precast hollow core?
Some of the advantages of precast hollow-core construction include: Architectural design can be incorporated into the exterior panels. Lower initial construction costs thanks to early decision-making and limited formwork. The construction isn’t affected by the weather since the pieces are usually precast indoors.
Why is the garage floor hollow core?
For this residential structure, the garage floor will be converted into a hollow core floor to increase the living space. The hollow core level acts as the podium slab, which offers reduced sound transmission, high fire rating, and reduced vibrations.
What is the meaning of podium in construction?
Podium, plural podiums, or podia, in architecture, any of various elements that form the “foot,” or base, of a structure, such as a raised pedestal or base, a low wall supporting columns, or the structurally or decoratively emphasized lowest portion of a wall.
What is a podium slab?
Podium slabs are the floor systems that transfer load from a wood or steel frame structure to the columns and walls below it. Podium slabs have specific construction styles that ensure the load-bearing elements align with the substructure below.
What is Podium based project?
As per Encyclopedia Britannic a podium (plural podiums, or podia) in architecture means any of various elements that form the “foot,” or base, of a structure, such as a raised pedestal or base, a low wall supporting columns, or the structurally or decoratively emphasized lowest portion of a wall.
What does podium level mean?
In many sports, results in the top three of a competition are often referred to as “ podiums ” or “ podium finishes”. In some individual sports, “ podiums ” is an official statistic, referring to the number of top three results an athlete has achieved over the course of a season or career.
What is a podium parking?
Podium Parking means on-grade parking that is sheltered under a building that is elevated on piers. Podium Parking means floor / floors above ground, of maximum 2.4mtrs.
What is a stilt floor?
Stilt floor is basically the lowermost floor of a structure which is constructed above ground level. The height of the stilt floor shouldn’t be more than 2.5m. This kind of floors adopted in the parking of Shopping malls & Theaters.
What is Type 5 Building Construction?
Type 5 construction is found in many modern homes. The walls and roofs are made of combustible materials—most commonly wood. If the walls are wood-framed, the roof usually is as well. Rooftops are ceramic tile or asphalt shingles placed over lightweight trusses and OSB.
What is podium slab?
Podium slabs are special type of floor system that transfers loads from a steel or wood frame structure above the slab to walls and columns below. Load bearing elements such as walls and columns of superstructure above the podium slab may not align with substructure load bearing elements below.
Functions of podium slab
It works as a structural floor and transfer slab for loads from the above superstructure to the walls and columns below.
Advantages of podium slabs
Provide solid separation between parking areas and living spaces and consequently offers sound and fire protection.
Disadvantages of podium slab
In the case of precast hollow podium slab, provision of proper connections is not easy, the unit may damage in the case of improper handling and transportation, and need special equipment and machines to move and lift precast units.
What is a podium in architecture?
Podium, plural podiums, or podia, in architecture, any of various elements that form the “foot,” or base, of a structure, ...
What is a podium?
Podium, plural podiums, or podia, in architecture, any of various elements that form the “foot,” or base, of a structure, such as a raised pedestal or base, a low wall supporting columns, or the structurally or decoratively emphasized lowest portion of a wall.

What Is Podium Construction?
Benefits of Podium Construction
- In North America, podium buildingshave become increasingly prevalent. With the high cost of steel and concrete and the ever-increasing land rates, contractors and developers are turning to wood designs that come with higher density and allowance for extra rentable square footage as compared to the traditional garden-style apartments. Even better, this method of construction is …
Sustainability
- Wood grows naturally, is renewable, biodegradable, recyclable, and non-toxic, making it an environmentally sound construction material. On the other side, concrete is considered to be America’s fourth largest source of carbon dioxide emissions. Even though there have been measures put in place to reduce carbon in concrete production (such as adding slag and fly ash…
Structural Integrity
- The engineered beams used in podium construction offer durability and strength in the whole structure for high-demanding applications. This makes the podium-style building just as strong and sturdy as other types of concrete buildings. An upper wooden podium is also lightweight, making it a perfect choice for areas with high seismic activities where the mass of the building i…
Types of Podium Construction
- Multi-story wood buildingsgenerally fall under construction Type III, and Type V with each type subdivided father into A and B. The stories should have different fire-resistance rating requirements. The IBC lists fire ratings for various wall construction types. Two common podium design structures include:
What Code Says About Podium Construction
- The International Building Code(IBC), defines podium buildings as two separate structures built on top of one another. For example, construction Type III-A can go up to 4 stories or 65 feet, while Type V-A is allowed to go up to three stories or 50 feet. However, the addition of the National Fire Protection Association(NFPA’s) sprinkler system means that developers have an extra 20 feet i…
Podium-Style Construction Methods and Costs
- Podium slabs are the floor systems that transfer load from a wood or steel frame structure to the columns and walls below it. Podium slabs have specific construction styles that ensure the load-bearing elements align with the substructure below. Commonly used podium construction systems include:
Consider Podium Design For Your Next Construction Project
- While people in the construction may see wood construction as a threat to the concrete industry, it’s actually the opposite. Podium construction brings together concrete, steel, and wood to create a lucrative market that’s quickly gaining popularity over the last recent years – and we don’t see it going anywhere soon. For construction convenience and cost-effectiveness, go for a podium-de…