Harmonious Integration of Nature, Climate, and Family
On a flat 755 sqm plot in Kfar Yehoshua, located in the open landscape of the Izrael Valley, we were asked to design a compact and efficient structure, with a built area of 175 sqm, that would respect its natural surroundings of mature pecan trees and lush vegetation. Our clients dreamed of a modest and practical home. The main goal was to create a space that would encourage and promote an intimate family atmosphere, while strictly ensuring that the structure would be easy and convenient for ongoing maintenance. The project reflects our worldview as architects, advocating for precise design that responds to the valley's unique climatic conditions, while maintaining a human and inviting scale.
Strategic Positioning, Geometry, and Spatial Division
The most significant challenge in the design stemmed from the characteristics of the lot – a corner plot situated in a central location in the village. We were required to find the exact balance between utilizing the advantages of the southern facade in terms of climatic conditions, and the essential need to maintain the residents' privacy from the street. These two fundamental issues dictated the positioning of an elongated structure, carefully oriented along a north-south axis. To maximize the lot's potential, we created maximum, wide openings facing south, enabling a continuous connection with the outdoors, while towards the street, we designed a certain degree of closure and a more protected facade. In accordance with the clients' vision, the house was designed with clean and simple lines. The structure consists of two elongated rectangular spaces perpendicular to each other. This meticulous geometric decision practically expresses the clear functional division between the public and private realms of the house.
Local Materiality in a Contemporary Interpretation
In selecting the materials for the project, we chose to draw inspiration from the built heritage and landscape of the village. Our main and most prominent decision was to partially clad the facades of the house in aluminum. This material distinctly recalls the characteristic building materials of the agricultural sheds and structures in the local landscape of the village. However, the use of the cladding is done in a contemporary, meticulous, and clean interpretation, granting the structure a minimalist and highly updated appearance. This unique envelope not only anchors the house in its environmental and agricultural context, but also creates a fascinating contrast between the sharp, metallic geometric lines and the organic shapes of the surrounding vegetation. This is a design that speaks in a simple yet powerful material language, emphasizing attention to detail and uncompromising professionalism.
Climatic Architecture and Advanced Envelope Systems
Coping with the changing and extreme weather conditions characteristic of the Izrael Valley was at the core of the project's design. To ensure maximum climatic comfort and energy efficiency, we incorporated two unique systems into the structure. The first system is a smart double-wall construction method, specifically designed to moderate the inner climate of the house and maintain stability in severe weather conditions. The second system is a sophisticated, dynamic, and elegant shading system that integrates aesthetically into the facades. This system was specifically adapted to each and every opening in the structure, and is composed of a specific type of blind that provides the most optimal and precise response to its opening’s needs. This solution allows for full control over light and air, transforming the house into a living space that breathes and responds to its environment at all hours of the day.
