Concrete podiums are perfect for ground-floor retail and commercial spaces while enabling the residential or office spaces above to have a different look making it a great option for mixed-use developments. The concrete podium slab typically acts as both a structural floor and as a transfer slab for the wood, steel, or light gauge steel framed construction above.
From a functional standpoint, concrete is stronger and stiffer than a wood base, giving a building better seismic resistance, in addition to fire and sound protection. Concrete is also more flexible in its load path, which provides flexibility for other trades (i.e. mechanical, electrical, plumbing, etc.). Additionally, post-tensioned concrete provides advanced strength, long-term durability, and is cost effective. It is also perfect for fast-track site erection.
Also, from a design perspective, the system is flexible. You can easily cantilever the slab to form an exterior deck for each living unit and column spans coordinate easily with underground parking garage layouts. Moreover, a concrete podium slab has no restrictions to support load-bearing walls from the structure above. Aesthetically, the structure can be exposed as interior finish or be expressed on the exterior.