The new building for the faculties of psychology and economics at the Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) Herzliya is nestled on a long and narrow site, flanked by eucalyptus trees along its southern and eastern edge.
Designed by Israel- and France-based firm Gottesman Szmelcman Architecture, the project followed an ambitious remit; the fairly tricky site had to accommodate classrooms, computer labs and brain study labs. The result? An elongated building responding to both its brief and the limitations of its site.
'For this project there were various key considerations for us: a commitment to green architecture; a desire to create clear and dynamic relationships between architecture and its surrounding; and a commitment to effectively and harmoniously incorporate carefully defined functions within each building,' explains Ami Szmelcman, one of the partners at the firm.
'We introduced a transparent northern façade that would be able to exploit the benefits of the northern light while establishing a visual relationship with the campus,' he continues. 'Thus, whether students enter or leave their classes, whether they choose to form discussion groups or study on their own within the common parts of the faculty or beyond, they are simultaneously a part of the building and its surroundings.'
The ground floor of the building was slightly raised in order to enhance what Gottesman calls 'lightness'. This gesture emphasises its delicate relationship to the ground and the surrounding mature trees.
'In complete contrast to the building’s northern aspect, the southern façade is typified by its solidity and the incorporation of long narrow windows that introduce sunlight into the building with minimal thermal consequences,' says Szmelcman. 'The pattern of long horizontal openings is extended both to the roof and to the sidewalk; creating a sensation as if the transparent northern façade has been wrapped in a protective skin.'
Designed for a fairly narrow site, the building maintains a close connection with the outdoors through its long glazed main façade
Inside, the remit demanded classrooms, computer labs and brain study labs
’In complete contrast to the building’s northern aspect, the southern façade is typified by its solidity,’ explain the architects
INFORMATION
For more information, visit the Gottesman Szmelcman Architecture website
Photography: Amit Geron
-
The Park: step inside Jeremy King's mid-century dinerOne of several 2024 openings from restauranteur, Jeremy King, food critic Ben McCormack books in at The Park
-
Six brilliant bars for your 2025 celebrations, hot off the Wallpaper* travel deskWallpaper’s most-read bar reviews of the year can't be wrong: here’s inspiration for your festive and new year plans, from a swanky Las Vegas lounge to a minimalist London drinking den
-
Misfires and Monstrosities: three vehicular design disasters that show taste is in retreatFrom a multi-million dollar piece merchandise to a wretched Rolls-Royce, these are the low points of the year in transportation design
-
River Wing at Clare College responds to its historic Cambridge heritageUniversity of Cambridge opens its new River Wing on Clare College Old Court, uniting modern technology with historic design
-
UCL East Marshgate seeks to redefine the university campus of the futureUCL East Marshgate by Stanton Williams is completed and gears up to welcome its students in east London
-
New Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance extension creates transparency with stoneThe Ari Kushner Building for the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance (JAMD) is completed, creating transparency with stone, and channelling chaos into its corridors
-
St Catharine’s College social hub in Cambridge reimagined by Gort ScottGort Scott's design for St Catharine’s College, Cambridge, gives a sensitive facelift to a much loved, bustling campus
-
Two Hands nursery by vPPR is where design flair meets sustainabilityTwo Hands nursery in London, designed by vPPR, mixes colourful interiors and sustainable architecture elements with wellbeing in mind
-
SANAA’s Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design is designed to connect with the heart of JerusalemSANAA and local studio HQ Architects design new home for Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem's city centre
-
Connected Rural Classroom reimagines learning space architectureA collaboration between design studio Kurani and nonprofit Ed Farm reimagines learning spaces through virtual teaching with the Connected Rural Classroom
-
DS+R Prior Performing Arts Center is designed as a public commonsPrior Performing Arts Center by Diller Scofidio + Renfro completes at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts
