On the Ashkelon coastline lies a prestigious and impressive residential project covering an area of 560 square meters, planned and designed by architect and interior designer Mor Zuaretz. The house offers a contemporary and precise interpretation of a family home – one that gives each family member intimacy and quiet, while at the same time creating an open, generous and present space, inviting for entertaining, relaxation and shared enjoyment.

Ofri Paz | Stanley Home

The family, a couple and their three children, sought to create a home that would allow for a relaxed, easygoing lifestyle full of family experiences, without sacrificing a luxurious, elegant and presentable appearance. The planning starting point was to create a precise balance between an active and dynamic everyday life and meticulous aesthetics and a timeless design language.

“It was important to me that the house felt comfortable, flowing and useful for all family members, but at the same time it would convey sophistication, quality and elegance,” notes Mor. “Therefore, in the design, I combined practical solutions, durable materials and precise functional planning with meticulous contemporary elements, clean lines and details with presence.”

The program was shaped around the concept of a home that is both a host and a family home, with open and inviting public spaces that encourage meeting, playing and entertaining, alongside intimate and quiet areas that give each resident a sense of privacy and personal space. Every corner of the home was designed to convey exclusivity and tranquility, but without sacrificing warmth, accessibility and a sense of homeliness – a direct expression of the residents’ lifestyle and the way they wish to live the home on a daily basis and over time.

Entry to the house is through an entrance door on the zero line of the house.Reshafim-Hamedia, with an integral handle, which makes an architectural statement from the very first moment. The door is framed by a dedicated wall covering, which enhances the feeling of the key and creates an impressive, precise and meticulous composition. This is a design move designed to emphasize the entrance area as a significant transitional space that marks the transition from outside to inside and prepares the visitor for the design language of the entire house.

“The idea was to create a large, imposing door, but one that wasn’t heavy or straining,” explains Moore. “We wanted to combine a sense of luxury and architectural drama with quiet elegance, lightness, and everyday comfort.” The choice of a strong steel-based door is not only aesthetic, but also functional: the door is designed to withstand local weather conditions, making it particularly suitable for homes located near the sea, while maintaining a clean, timeless appearance for years to come.

The interior doors in the house, also chosen from Reshafim-Hamedia, continue the same concept of formal purity and precision in detail. The doors were chosen for their minimalist appearance, but mainly for their small but significant design twist, which adds depth and sophistication to the overall language of the house. “Doors from the Highline collection blend naturally with the project’s color and material palette,” notes Mor.

The doors were designed with a flat, stepless edge painted black and carefully matched to the concealed handles and hinges. This creates a continuous, clean look, and allows for a subtle and harmonious connection with the black aluminum profiles and the stair railing. The result is a uniform and precise language, in which even the most functional elements become an integral part of the architectural composition and the overall aesthetics of the house.

The kitchen was designed as a central avenue in the house and designed with a clean and bright language, based on precise minimalism and a careful choice of materials. The light facades create a calm and timeless look, while the dark veneer serves as a deep contrasting element, giving the space a layer of depth and a balanced sense of warmth. The dialogue between light and dark sharpens the kitchen’s architectural lines and emphasizes its proportions as an integral part of the public space.

To the left of the entrance to the house, a large-scale carpentry unit, clad in dark veneer, was designed, carefully adapted to the varying wall depths and geometry of the space. Beyond its aesthetic presence, the unit plays a central functional role, concealing technical systems such as electricity and communications, and offering generous and organized storage solutions, maintaining a clean and visually uncluttered appearance.

The unit continues naturally towards the kitchen, and in the transition between function and formality also incorporates open display shelves with glass fronts. This area is designated for drinks and hospitality utensils, and creates an additional layer of interest and materiality, while connecting the entrance area to the kitchen and hospitality space. The combination of closed joinery, hidden systems and transparent display sharpens the balance between practicality and elegance, a guiding principle that recurs throughout the design.

The ceiling incorporated recessed lighting fixtures with a minimalist design, supplied by Shop Light. “The company knew how to incorporate recessed lighting profiles in the ceiling with a thin and precise finish, which were custom-made according to our design and vision. The company’s lighting specialist sat down with me in depth and professionally, along with the lighting plans I prepared for the project, and knew how to translate my desires and planning intentions into a precise lighting shade, suitable for each and every space,” explains Mor.

Decorative lighting fixtures with a sculptural appearance and rounded shapes were incorporated into the space, for example above the dining area, next to the staircase and near the TV sideboard. “Shop Light’s ability to accommodate ‘my craziness’, which is an integral part of the aspiration to create an interesting, precise and functional project, is what made the collaboration particularly successful and meaningful.”

A large, two-way sofa was placed in the center of the living room space, which serves as an organizing element in the public space and allows for dynamic seating – facing the interior living room area or the garden and outdoors. The choice of a two-way sofa emphasizes the open design concept and the continuous connection between inside and outside, and encourages movement, entertaining, and relaxed, flowing daily use.

Natural marble from homeSegev CarmelIt was integrated into the public space in a refined, precise and effortless manner, adding a rich material layer of texture and warm tones. The marble does not appear as a dominant element alone, but is integrated as part of the overall language of the house, deepening the elegant and timeless feeling of the space. “They knew how to provide a professional response to every challenge that arose along the way – from the way the materials were hung to the final and precise level of finish of each element,” notes Mor, emphasizing the importance of meticulous execution alongside precise planning.

Below the TV screen, Mor designed a floating marble sideboard, a bold and contemporary interpretation of the classic sideboard element. “We consciously chose a heavy and presentable material, but applied it in a floating and light way, as an alternative to traditional carpentry,” she explains. The choice of marble as a functional and aesthetic response creates an interesting tension between mass and levitation, between heavy natural materiality and a sense of lightness and formal precision.

A large marble slab was placed between the living room and dining area, functioning as an artistic element in every sense of the word – a kind of sculptural image hanging in the space. Thoughtful cut-off details and a sophisticated hanging system create the illusion of a slab descending from the upper floor, in an image reminiscent of a waterfall frozen in time. “A dedicated and complex construction was required here, due to the heavy weight of the stone,” adds Moore, emphasizing the engineering complexity required to maintain a light, clean, and effortless appearance.

The combination of marble as an architectural, functional, and artistic element creates a harmonious whole in which material, texture, and design meet – and illustrates the approach of the entire project: a precise connection between nature and design, between power and restraint, and between aesthetic presence and daily living experience.

Segev Carmel, whose products were also incorporated into the bathrooms and public spaces of the house, was also responsible for the planning and execution of the impressive outdoor kitchen – “Together we designed an outdoor kitchen of the highest standard, including a hob, ice maker, cooking stove, beverage refrigerator, beer basin and a wide variety of other indulgent features, which significantly enhance the experience of hosting and staying outdoors. Beyond the operational and planning aspects, the installation team proved to be kind, patient and caring, with attention to the smallest details and a high standard of execution. Without a doubt, this is a safe and reliable address for marble surfaces and quality solutions for every space in the house.”

The contractor was responsible for carrying out the complex project and the entire renovation.Ilan Cohen, who accompanied the process from its beginning to the final finishing stage. In a project of this scope, where every design detail relies on precision in execution, the choice of contractor was no less a strategic move than the architectural choices themselves.

“In a project like this, the trick is to choose a professional who truly understands you,” explains Mor. “Not just in execution, but as someone who has a deep spatial understanding, a systemic vision, and a real desire to get down to the small details – the ones that ultimately create a great project.” According to her, Cohen accompanied the project throughout with a full commitment to understanding the planning in depth, dealing with the engineering and execution challenges, and implementing every decision in the most precise, professional, and cleanest way. In this way, he succeeded in translating the architectural vision into a built, meticulous, and presentable reality.

The outdoor areas of the house, which extend over approximately 200 square meters, are a direct continuation of the architectural language of the interior and were designed as an integral part of the living experience. The planning division is clear but soft, allowing for diverse uses throughout the day and the seasons. The area is divided into two central areas: a hospitality area that includes an outdoor kitchen and a generous dining area, designed for family gatherings and large entertaining; and next to it, a more intimate lounging area, raised above the pool, with low sofas that invite lingering, resting, and watching the landscape and water.

“Each area gives a different feeling,” explains Moore, “but together they create a single experiential continuum – one that allows for a transition between dynamism and intimacy, between active hospitality and relaxation.” The choice of levels, proportions, and the way the furniture is positioned strengthens the connection between the house and the garden, and emphasizes the overall concept of the project: a house that lives the outside no less than the inside, and offers a complete, flowing, and precise quality of life.

Mor utilized the basement floor to create a dedicated experiential space, and designed a home theater room equipped to a high standard. The design and construction of the theater room were carried out by the companyOR&T, working closely with the designer and according to the precise requirements of the residents. The collaboration included integrated thinking on design, acoustics and technology, with the aim of creating a space that is both functional and aesthetic.

The result is a private cinema room that provides the homeowners with an immersive, high-quality viewing experience of the highest level. The space includes luxurious sofas, a professional projector integrated with custom-designed joinery, and an advanced surround sound system that includes 11 speakers. Some of the speakers have been cleverly hidden behind the screen and in other architectural elements, so that the technology is integrated into the design and does not detract from the visual cleanliness of the space.

The significant advantage of OR&T, Moore points out, is that they areone-stop-shop: One entity that provides a comprehensive solution – from the concept and planning stage, through precise acoustic solutions to full implementation customized to the space and design. This process allows for complete control over details, perfect coordination between all systems, and a final result that succeeds in integrating an advanced technological experience within a harmonious and quiet architectural language.

Planning and Design | Architect Mor Zuaretz

Photography | Elad Gonen About the firm | Mor Zuaretz Architecture and Interior Design

The firm was established in 2018, upon completion of his undergraduate studies, out of a desire to create a personal, precise and profound architectural language. Since then, the firm has been involved in the planning and design of private homes, luxury homes and offices, while adhering to a high design standard and combining meticulous functional thinking with a sensitive and personal design approach.

The work is characterized by a constant search for a precise balance between aesthetics, functionality and a sense of home. The style is born from a deep listening to the client and the space, and is expressed in restrained minimalism, clean lines, a conscious choice of materials and a quiet elegance – one that does not depend on passing trends, but stands the test of time.

What drives the planning process is the understanding that a good home is first and foremost an experience: an experience of proper flow between spaces, of precise proportions, of natural light, and of a harmonious connection between materials, colors, and details. Every planning decision is made with deep thought about the client’s lifestyle – how the home will function on a daily basis, how it will feel over the years, and how it will accompany the household members in both routine and entertaining.

The work process is based on precise and uncompromising planning, attention to the smallest details, and full cooperation with the client and all suppliers throughout the process. The emphasis is placed on professionalism, transparency, and adherence to quality, based on the belief that precision in planning and personal attention are the keys to creating a home that is not only beautiful, but also true, pleasant, and truly tailored to the person who lives in it.