National Institutions House

The building also hosted the first sessions of the Knesset, and Israel's first president, Chaim Weizmann was inaugurated in its great hall.

Among the presenters were architects Richard Kauffmann, Alexander Baerwald, Arieh Sharon, and Eliezer Yellin.

The leadership of the National Institutions required that the building be no more than two stories in height, that it be a single structure divided into three sections (for the Zionist Executive—composed of the World Zionist Organization and the Jewish Agency for Israel—as well as the Jewish National Fund and Keren Hayesod), and the building be well-suited to the city's character.

The design selected was that of the architect Yohanan Ratner, who wrapped the structure around a large forecourt in order to create a formal presence while isolating it from the noise from the street, as well as to maintain the impressive facade of the building despite its lowness in comparison to surrounding structures.

The building contains outer elements similar to those of the Tower of David and the windows are reminiscent of the slits in the Old City Walls The design was selected despite some criticism, particularly with regard to its comparatively low height.