A special and intriguing renovation of a penthouse apartment in a preserved Tel Aviv building, which was converted from a vacation apartment into a spacious living and hospitality space inspired by Jaffa and the White City, alongside a gorgeous roof that was planned and designed as an urban garden in every sense. “The client is single and has fine taste and an understanding of art.

Ofri Paz | Stanel Home

A significant part of the work process was carried out remotely, and we spent hours in correspondence about the design, which developed into a fun and productive process, and this is reflected in the result, says Arik Aviv, an architectural and interior design engineer who was in charge of the planning, design, renovation and furnishing process. The apartment covers approximately 300 square meters, and its design reflects its surroundings and the view from the windows: “The location greatly influenced the planning. The building and the surroundings reflect the local essence of the Bauhaus style and the important heritage of the beginning of construction in Tel Aviv. There is a scent of European quality here. Alongside this, we wanted to bring an oriental-Moroccan direction, which is expressed, for example, in the built-in benches and the plunge pool on the balcony. The bright envelope provides a pleasant and clean background for original vintage furniture imported from abroad and the homeowner’s art collection,” explains Arik.

The apartment’s floor is covered in bright, warm terrazzo molding inspired by the hues in the building’s public spaces.The interior ceiling is covered with unique acoustic plaster tiles from the Swiss company Baswa, which are marketed and applied exclusively in Israel by Yehuda Export and Import.The system creates a seamless, continuous look, and has sound-absorbing properties that shorten the reverberation time in the space, thus improving the acoustics while maintaining a refined appearance. “I design through all the senses, and if the acoustics are not good, the entire atmosphere is compromised. That’s why I insist on an acoustic ceiling and precise system design. These are things you don’t always see, but they determine the experience.”

The entrance leads to the public space, which includes a kitchen, dining area and living room, and is surrounded byLarge aluminum windows for the balcony provided by Deda Aluminum“We chose beautiful minimal aluminum. Deda’s coordination and the product they provided were perfect in every way,” notes the planner. A column that obstructed the flow at the exit to the balcony was eliminated, and in combination with thin profiles and the continuation of the terrazzo pouring onto the balcony, the boundaries between the interior and exterior were blurred, creating a uniform and spacious entertainment and entertaining space.

A wide opening at the front of the living room and at ceiling height create an open view overlooking the magnificent view of Tel Aviv. The choice of a white profile was considered and calculated, as part of the worlds of conservation, formal cleanliness and balance in the eclectic space.

A built-in bench was designed on the balcony, filled with soft cushions, creatingA secret and special cornerFacing the cityscape. Next to the bench is a small plunge pool, covered in green and white Zellige tiles with a meticulous graphic pattern, imported from Morocco by Nonis Gallery. The tiles create a play of light and shadow on the water’s surface, emphasizing the rich texture and precision of the local art, which is passed down from generation to generation.

“Each tile tells a story,” explains the designer. “The combination of green and white tones, the graphic shape and the precise texture, creates a space that is a secret and special corner within the city – a quiet, experiential place and precise in terms of proportion and material.”

“Nunis was responsible for coordinating with the local factory, which received precise planning for production and cutting. Despite the Corona period, everything was delivered at the highest level and without delays.” The tiles add texture and color to the balcony and also accompany the staircase leading to the upper roof garden.

The interior created a separation between the public and private spaces, which includes a guest room that also serves as a home office and a master suite. The tenant did not want a television in the living room, and to suit his lifestyle and style of hospitality, the kitchen, dining area, and living room were designed in parallel with each other. Locally produced iron facades were designed in the kitchen. Opposite it, at the back of the living room, a carpentry wall with a similar finish was designed to create a contrast to the light background. Open shelves combined with lighting create airiness and provide a stage for displaying art and decorative objects. “I am a contextual designer – adapted to the location, the client, and the conditions. My leading principle is temporality, meaning not to be dragged into trends, but to think about how the project will look and become obsolete in twenty years. It must also have emotion. This is the heart of my work.”On the roof, Arik created a magnificent, growing Zen garden. “We wanted to use natural vegetation and plant real grass. This required testing with consultants and experts to ensure that everything could be done safely in terms of weight-bearing, coordination with neighbors, and the application of special layers that replace soil so as not to create a load on the roof during rain.” In addition, an outdoor cinema was designed in the garden, with high-quality speakers and a projector sunk into the ground, which projects at a precise angle onto a plastered wall. “The client does a lot of walking meditation, so we deliberately did not plan a bar, kitchen, or seating areas there. The cinema was hidden in the vegetation, creating one of the most special experiences I’ve ever had – watching a movie while lying on the grass, under the open sky.”

Architecture and Design | Architect Arik Aviv

Photography | Assaf Pinchuk