Archeological House, Ramat Ishay Residential Design, Israel Residence, Architecture

Archeological House, Israel

Israeli Residential Property – design by Uri Cohen Architect

21 Jun 2013

Ramat Ishay Residence Design

Design: Uri Cohen Architect

Location: Ramat Ishay, Israel

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Contemporary House Design in Israel

Ex-stasis – to be or stand outside oneself – describes a mental state of consciousness outside of one’s own self.

The scheme proposes to combine the ancient building complex with the new one by a central space. This allows observation from the ancient part to the new and vice versa, while it gives a new vertical dimension to the typology of the patio hinted at the ancient remains. The ‘floating’ structure of the building covers the ‘Antiquities Courtyard’, protecting it from rain, wind and sun while creating conditions of natural and artificial lighting. In this way, the ‘Antiquities Courtyard’ becomes a useful and meaningful outdoor space.

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Although the plot is privately owned, it has a big value to the collective memory. The vertical space which is generated by the new built-up mass, surrounds the ‘Antiquities Courtyard’ and reveals its’ presence into the street. With approval from the owner, the public can walk to the viewing platform (roof of the ‘underground building’) or even walk down the stairs directly from the sidewalk.

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The inside and outside spaces (including the pool and deck) allow easy movement which combines the life at home with views from different angles and heights to the antiquities.

Each of the floors has a public space with a different character for the use of that floor and/or the entire structure. The lower floor has a reading/billiard room, home theater and Spa (which is also connected to the pool by outdoor stairs). In the upper floor, there is a work/library space. Each floor can also function as a separate unit.

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The suite at the ‘underground building’ is integrated as a part of the ‘Antiquities Courtyard’, enabling privacy yet keeping the integration with it. The suites at the ‘floating’ part of the building enjoy the terrace with direct sunlight and beautiful views.

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The entrance level of the building contains the public spaces of the house. It surrounds the ‘Antiquities Courtyard’, consisting of two L shaped parts. The two parts meet in the living room, which is constructed as a glass box looking (through the glass floor) to the Antiquities and illuminating them at night. At this symbiotic place where past and present meet each other, they find their way into a renewed historical continuum of the site.

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