First International Bank Tower
Encyclopedia
The First International Bank Tower is a skyscraper
in Tel Aviv
, Israel
located on Rothschild Boulevard
, currently under construction. At 132 meters in height over 32 floors, the tower will be Israel's fourtheenth tallest building. It was designed by Pei Cobb Freed & Partners
, Nir-Kuts Architects, and Amnon Bar Or Architects, inspired by the Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong
, which was designed by the same firm. Construction of the tower began in early 2003, after the plans were approved in October 2002. The plans were restricted in height due to the need to preserve and rebuild two historical neighbouring low-rises of the Bahaus architectural style which has given the White City its UNESCO
World Heritage Status. Included in scheme is a public plaza on Rothschild Boulevard. The main occupant of the tower is the First International Bank of Israel
.
The tower is the first green tower
in Israel, and also the first to feature a double curtain wall
system.
The design of the tower consists of 5 equilateral triangular prisms, set on top of each other at different heights, creating 3 large balconies for the building users. Each prism ends after 8 stories at a different height, referencing to the heights of adjacent buildings and monuments.
Skyscraper
A skyscraper is a tall, continuously habitable building of many stories, often designed for office and commercial use. There is no official definition or height above which a building may be classified as a skyscraper...
in Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv , officially Tel Aviv-Yafo , is the second most populous city in Israel, with a population of 404,400 on a land area of . The city is located on the Israeli Mediterranean coastline in west-central Israel. It is the largest and most populous city in the metropolitan area of Gush Dan, with...
, Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
located on Rothschild Boulevard
Rothschild Boulevard
Rothschild Boulevard is one of the principal streets in the center of Tel Aviv, Israel, beginning in Neve Tzedek at its southwestern edge and running north to Habima Theatre. It is one of the busiest and most expensive streets in the city, being one of the city's main tourist attractions...
, currently under construction. At 132 meters in height over 32 floors, the tower will be Israel's fourtheenth tallest building. It was designed by Pei Cobb Freed & Partners
Pei Cobb Freed & Partners
Pei Cobb Freed & Partners is an architectural firm that was founded in 1955 by I. M. Pei as I. M. Pei & Associates, in 1966 called I. M. Pei & Partners, and received its current name and organization in 1989. The founders were I. M. Pei, Henry N. Cobb, and Eason H. Leonard. Pei and Leonard retired...
, Nir-Kuts Architects, and Amnon Bar Or Architects, inspired by the Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, which was designed by the same firm. Construction of the tower began in early 2003, after the plans were approved in October 2002. The plans were restricted in height due to the need to preserve and rebuild two historical neighbouring low-rises of the Bahaus architectural style which has given the White City its UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
World Heritage Status. Included in scheme is a public plaza on Rothschild Boulevard. The main occupant of the tower is the First International Bank of Israel
First International Bank of Israel
The First International Bank of Israel is an Israeli bank founded in 1972 through the merger of several smaller banks. It is the fifth largest bank in Israel...
.
The tower is the first green tower
Green building
Green building refers to a structure and using process that is environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building's life-cycle: from siting to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and demolition...
in Israel, and also the first to feature a double curtain wall
Curtain wall
A curtain wall is an outer covering of a building in which the outer walls are non-structural, but merely keep out the weather. As the curtain wall is non-structural it can be made of a lightweight material reducing construction costs. When glass is used as the curtain wall, a great advantage is...
system.
The design of the tower consists of 5 equilateral triangular prisms, set on top of each other at different heights, creating 3 large balconies for the building users. Each prism ends after 8 stories at a different height, referencing to the heights of adjacent buildings and monuments.