Portal Frames

Source: bluffton.edu

Grande Arche, La Défense, Paris, France, 1989 designed by architect Johann Otto von Spreckelsen and Erik Reitzel 

The massive scale of the Arche is most obvious in its atrium, which hosts a parasitic stretched Teflon mesh. This portion of the building was an afterthought added to the project once Paul Andreau took over the project. The innovative awning allows wind and light to permeate, while shielding visitors from the elements. This seemingly cloudlike structure is fastened by tensioned cables which clutches onto the building’s façade, and whose figure appears alien like among the sharp contours of the Grande Arche. -- ArchDaily

Paris’ Grande Arche to get €200 million Revamp -- ArchDaily

Source: Jeffrey Cheng archdaily.com

Kelti Center, Taipei City, Taiwan, 2009 designed by Artech Architects

Two low-rise volumes flanked by the service cores on each side and a high-rise structure suspended from the “portal frame” make up the entire complex. The space between the lower volumes forms the building’s entrance. The high-rise structure resembles crystallized rock with alternating dark and light-colored glazing, and is supported by the service core enclosed by a stone façade, creating an image of trendy elegance and light-hearted tectonics. -- ArchDaily

Source: Martin van der Wal archdaily.com

Dapto Anglican Church Auditorium, Dapto, NSW, Australia, 2011 designed by Silvester Fuller

The external facade responds to two conditions: where the primary mass has been retained the facade surface is dark, earth-like and roughly textured. In contrast the subtracted void areas are bright, smooth and crisp surfaces identifying the building entrances and acting as collection devices. -- ArchDaily

Source: Manfred Seidl archdaily.com

UNESCO Marine and World Heritage Centre, Krems, Austria, 2011 designed by Najjar & Najjar Architects

With a spectacular roof spanning over 80 meters the architects intended to outline a gate framing the activities of the visitors embarking and debarking. The structure contains an exhibition area, a restaurant, a tourist information center and a ticket office for the Danube shipping line. All these functions are formally unified under one roof. -- ArchDaily

Source: Jeffrey Cheng archdaily.com

A Residential Pavilion & Landscape of Hai Hau-The Great, Chung-li City, Taiwan, 2012 designed by Arcadian Architecture＋Design

A concept of monolithic form was introduced to this design. The prototype of the pavilion is a 40mx21.4mx12.8m rectangular stone carved and cut with a concept of subtracting necessary void space, then embed with glass material, forming an interchanging stone-glass hybrid style of architectural form. The edge of the stone frame on the front facade was slanted into inclined shape to enhance the image of entrance and to create variation of lights and shades of the great entrance. -- ArchDaily