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From Rustic to Refined Nordic: A Duplex Transformation
From Rustic to Refined Nordic: A Duplex Transformation
Center District, Israel
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Other Projects by Halel Architecture and Interior Design
From Rustic to Refined Nordic: A Duplex Transformation
Center District, Israel
Type
STATUS
Built
YEAR
2026
SIZE
3000 sqft - 5000 sqft
BUDGET
$500K - 1M
From Rustic to Refined Nordic: A Duplex Transformation
Halel Architecture gives a family of five a fresh, timeless sanctuary-incorporating custom ironwork, light woods, and an expansive layout tailored for modern living.
There are moments when a renovation is not just a design change, but a life-changing decision. That is exactly what happened to a couple and their three children, who were convinced that the next chapter of their lives had to be in a single-family home. After a decade in a duplex in central Israel, which had been designed for them by interior designer Hadas Roth, a partner at "Halel Architecture," they felt the house no longer met their needs: the children had grown up, each asked for a room of their own, and there was a need for a home office, a family area, and a more spacious master suite.
"They already had one and a half feet out the door," says Roth. "There was even a buyer who fell in love with the apartment and wanted to purchase it. From their perspective, they were certain that all they needed to do was add about 1 million NIS and buy a single-family home. They asked me to come to a meeting to inspect the property."
However, this is where professional experience came into play. "I explained to them that this calculation was simply unrealistic. Moving to a single-family home is not just about the purchase price. There is the renovation, adjustments, exterior development, furniture, and additional expenses, so the investment would easily reach 2.5 to 3 million NIS beyond the price of the house."
Roth suggested they pause and examine the potential inherent in their existing duplex. According to her, "It is often older apartments that hide planning possibilities that you don't always spot at first glance."
The most dramatic move was actually the element people tend to take for granted – the staircase. "Originally, the stairs were located right in the center of the home, blocking design possibilities in the public space on both floors. I suggested moving them to the entrance area. This was a dramatic decision because stairs affect the entire house. The moment they moved, countless options suddenly opened up."
This change allowed for a completely new layout. On the upper floor, three children's rooms were created, giving each child their own room, and a cozy family area was planned in place of what was previously a large balcony. After receiving a permit, the balcony was enclosed and converted into a practical space that serves the family every day.
On the entrance floor, a reinforced home office was designed (which also functions as a safe room/MAMAD), and the master suite was expanded significantly. As a result, the entire wishlist the family set out with at the beginning of the journey fit into the very same built envelope.
"They wanted everything – an office, a room for each child, a family area, and a larger master bedroom. In the end, we managed to give them all of that without moving. They stayed in their neighborhood, in the familiar and beloved place."
The kitchen and living room remained in their places, but the bathrooms were redesigned, and the entire house received a new design language. While a decade ago it was designed in a rustic style, this time Roth chose—through dialogue with the family—a contemporary Nordic line based on light-toned wood, delicate furniture, a warm color palette, and natural materials that create a calm and timeless feel.
The new staircase also became one of the most impressive features in the home. Instead of a heavy mass taking up space, light iron stairs with airy treads were designed.
"The stairs no longer just connect the floors. They have become a sculptural element that lets in light, creates a sense of space, and upgrades the entire hall."
During the renovation, the family moved into a rented single-family home for a few months. That period actually clarified for them just how much the dream of a single-family home didn't truly fit their lifestyle.
"They realized that a single-family home requires maintenance, hassle, and a lot of work. Suddenly, they understood that their duplex, after the new design, gave them exactly what they needed."
The cost of the renovation stood at around 2 million NIS—a significant investment, but much lower than the cost that would have been involved in buying, moving to, and renovating a single-family home.
The story took another interesting turn when the same woman who was interested in purchasing the duplex prior to the renovation eventually bought a different apartment on the same street. She followed the renovation process, saw the potential, and later became a client of "Halel Architecture" as well.
"For me, that was the ultimate confirmation that proper planning changes everything. People tend to think that when the family grows, you have to move, but often the solution is right there in the existing home. You just need to know how to identify the potential, think differently, and sometimes move just one element—like a staircase—to change an entire life."
Suppliers:
OKNIN – Carpentry
Boutique Ceramic – Parquet & Tiles
Asaf Furniture
HeziBank
Paz Lighting
Yaron Vazdias – Contractor. Company name: Kzat Acheret
Halel Architecture gives a family of five a fresh, timeless sanctuary-incorporating custom ironwork, light woods, and an expansive layout tailored for modern living.
There are moments when a renovation is not just a design change, but a life-changing decision. That is exactly what happened to a couple and their three children, who were convinced that the next chapter of their lives had to be in a single-family home. After a decade in a duplex in central Israel, which had been designed for them by interior designer Hadas Roth, a partner at "Halel Architecture," they felt the house no longer met their needs: the children had grown up, each asked for a room of their own, and there was a need for a home office, a family area, and a more spacious master suite.
"They already had one and a half feet out the door," says Roth. "There was even a buyer who fell in love with the apartment and wanted to purchase it. From their perspective, they were certain that all they needed to do was add about 1 million NIS and buy a single-family home. They asked me to come to a meeting to inspect the property."
However, this is where professional experience came into play. "I explained to them that this calculation was simply unrealistic. Moving to a single-family home is not just about the purchase price. There is the renovation, adjustments, exterior development, furniture, and additional expenses, so the investment would easily reach 2.5 to 3 million NIS beyond the price of the house."
Roth suggested they pause and examine the potential inherent in their existing duplex. According to her, "It is often older apartments that hide planning possibilities that you don't always spot at first glance."
The most dramatic move was actually the element people tend to take for granted – the staircase. "Originally, the stairs were located right in the center of the home, blocking design possibilities in the public space on both floors. I suggested moving them to the entrance area. This was a dramatic decision because stairs affect the entire house. The moment they moved, countless options suddenly opened up."
This change allowed for a completely new layout. On the upper floor, three children's rooms were created, giving each child their own room, and a cozy family area was planned in place of what was previously a large balcony. After receiving a permit, the balcony was enclosed and converted into a practical space that serves the family every day.
On the entrance floor, a reinforced home office was designed (which also functions as a safe room/MAMAD), and the master suite was expanded significantly. As a result, the entire wishlist the family set out with at the beginning of the journey fit into the very same built envelope.
"They wanted everything – an office, a room for each child, a family area, and a larger master bedroom. In the end, we managed to give them all of that without moving. They stayed in their neighborhood, in the familiar and beloved place."
The kitchen and living room remained in their places, but the bathrooms were redesigned, and the entire house received a new design language. While a decade ago it was designed in a rustic style, this time Roth chose—through dialogue with the family—a contemporary Nordic line based on light-toned wood, delicate furniture, a warm color palette, and natural materials that create a calm and timeless feel.
The new staircase also became one of the most impressive features in the home. Instead of a heavy mass taking up space, light iron stairs with airy treads were designed.
"The stairs no longer just connect the floors. They have become a sculptural element that lets in light, creates a sense of space, and upgrades the entire hall."
During the renovation, the family moved into a rented single-family home for a few months. That period actually clarified for them just how much the dream of a single-family home didn't truly fit their lifestyle.
"They realized that a single-family home requires maintenance, hassle, and a lot of work. Suddenly, they understood that their duplex, after the new design, gave them exactly what they needed."
The cost of the renovation stood at around 2 million NIS—a significant investment, but much lower than the cost that would have been involved in buying, moving to, and renovating a single-family home.
The story took another interesting turn when the same woman who was interested in purchasing the duplex prior to the renovation eventually bought a different apartment on the same street. She followed the renovation process, saw the potential, and later became a client of "Halel Architecture" as well.
"For me, that was the ultimate confirmation that proper planning changes everything. People tend to think that when the family grows, you have to move, but often the solution is right there in the existing home. You just need to know how to identify the potential, think differently, and sometimes move just one element—like a staircase—to change an entire life."
Suppliers:
OKNIN – Carpentry
Boutique Ceramic – Parquet & Tiles
Asaf Furniture
HeziBank
Paz Lighting
Yaron Vazdias – Contractor. Company name: Kzat Acheret
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