The Power of Place: 7 Projects From Tel Aviv

The second-largest city in Israel, Tel Aviv has quickly evolved into a global city and international hub of economics, technology, and research. Known as the “City That Never Sleeps,” Tel Aviv is home to a variety of architectural offerings, including the world’s largest concentration of Bauhaus buildings. Modern designs are starting to take root in Tel Aviv, buildings with unique spatial and formal language. These designs capitalize on the context of Tel Aviv, including environmental, educational, and artistic conditions.

With a range of programs including education, residential, commercial, and the performing arts, these projects showcase how architects are exploring designs across multiple scales, materials, and varying views of Tel Aviv. With conceptual approaches from “Voices and Echoes” to a port and home for sailors, the designs are indicative of an architecture looking to reinterpret and rethink traditional building methods while holding true to ideas of modernity in an ever-changing urban environment. Either for institutions, travelers, or individuals, the projects are each different degrees of public and private space.

The Porter School of Environmental Studies by Axelrod Grobman Architects, Tel Aviv, Israel

The first LEED Platinum building in Israel, the Porter School uses advance technology for energy and water efficiency. Designed as a “living laboratory,” the school houses classrooms, offices, an auditorium, green roof, and a cafeteria. Unique elements in its design include an EcoWall, solar energy-based air conditioning, and a graywater purification system.

The Wohl Center by Studio Libeskind, Tel Aviv, Israel

Completed in 2005, this convention center was an expansion to the Bar-Ilan University Campus. The 38,000-square-foot convention center follows the concept of “Voices and Echoes,” symbolizing the secular and the sacred. Formally, the design explores the relationship between knowledge and faith.

Tel Aviv Townhouse by pitsou kedem architect, Tel Aviv, Israel

Part urban experience and part private residence, the Tel Aviv Townhouse was created through a unifying urban-style courtyard on the roof. Physical and visual relationships were established between all of the six different floors. A stairwell acts as a vertical line connecting the various floors and common meeting spaces.

Autodesk Tel Aviv by Setter Architect, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel

The office for Autodesk in Tel-Aviv was completed in 2014. The interior design includes unique material and visual combinations while overlooking the urban fabric of the Tel Aviv. Small meeting places are positioned throughout the office and toward views of the cityscape below.

Jaffa House by pitsou kedem architect, Tel Aviv, Israel

Carefully combining the old and the new, this house was designed by Pitsou Kedem to maintain qualities of two varying styles while bringing out the qualities of each. Furthermore, the design aimed to create new spaces that blend the styles and intensify them. Modern, minimal construction is juxtaposed with the aesthetic style of the past.

Peres Peace House by Massimiliano and Doriana Fuksas, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel

Dedicated to peace, the Peres Peace House is a space for meeting overlooking both the city and the sea. The building was created as a series of layers representing time and patience. A variety of materials was used to realize the concept, including concrete, a stone base, and translucent glass.

© Preston Scott Cohen, Inc, Tel Aviv Museum of Art

Herta and Paul Amir Building by Preston Scott Cohen, Inc., Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel

Designed by Preston Scott Cohen, the new building for the Tel Aviv Museum of Art houses an installation of the Museum’s comprehensive collection of Israeli art. Programmatically, it includes galleries, a photography study center, art library, new auditorium, and a large gallery for temporary exhibitions. A forward-looking work, the building explores a new formal and spatial language.

Author: Eric Baldwin

Based in New York City, Eric was trained in both architecture and communications. As Director of Communications at Sasaki, he has a background spanning media, academia, and practice. He's deeply committed to trying as many restaurants as possible in NYC.

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