Neve Tzedek Patio House

Year
2020
Structure
House (Single Residence)
North facade - Architectural preservation and detail restoration alongside an extension
North facade - Architectural preservation and detail restoration alongside an extension
South Facade - A New extension, designed with details similar to the original northern facade
South Facade - A New extension, designed with details similar to the original northern facade
The Living room in the preserved northern wing
The Living room in the preserved northern wing
The new stairs of the house - A view from the entrance hall
The new stairs of the house - A view from the entrance hall
The Kitchen overlooking the Patio and the living room beyond
The Kitchen overlooking the Patio and the living room beyond
The first floor passage connecting the new wing and the old wing of the house and the patio that acts as a bridge between them
The first floor passage connecting the new wing and the old wing of the house and the patio that acts as a bridge between them
The master bedroom overlooking the Patio and the new wing of the house beyond
The master bedroom overlooking the Patio and the new wing of the house beyond
The master bedroom - A glimpse of the view seen from the doors exiting the balcony
The master bedroom - A glimpse of the view seen from the doors exiting the balcony
The master bathroom
The master bathroom
One of the kids' room located at the new wing of the house
One of the kids' room located at the new wing of the house
The outdoor shower, planned next to the preserved wall between the front yard and the neighbors' front yard
The outdoor shower, planned next to the preserved wall between the front yard and the neighbors' front yard
The new welcoming entrance of the house at the end of the re-terraced front yard
The new welcoming entrance of the house at the end of the re-terraced front yard
The second floor preserved balcony - A view towards the master bedroom doors and the new roof balcony
The second floor preserved balcony - A view towards the master bedroom doors and the new roof balcony
The new basement's garden, added to the old house to bring in natural light and air
The new basement's garden, added to the old house to bring in natural light and air
The basement's bathroom, designed under the new exterior stairs and enjoying the natural light coming from the lowered yard
The basement's bathroom, designed under the new exterior stairs and enjoying the natural light coming from the lowered yard
The basement's bathroom
The basement's bathroom
The new rooftop balcony designed above the old wing - A view towards the new wing and the roof-garden planned above the stairs
The new rooftop balcony designed above the old wing - A view towards the new wing and the roof-garden planned above the stairs
The new rooftop balcony designed above the old wing - A view of the picturesque neighborhood of Neve Tzedek
The new rooftop balcony designed above the old wing - A view of the picturesque neighborhood of Neve Tzedek
The plunge pool, designed on the new rooftop balcony (above the old wing of the house)
The plunge pool, designed on the new rooftop balcony (above the old wing of the house)

20 more photos

Details

Square Feet
6250
Lot Size
2650
Bedrooms
6
Full Baths
4
Partial Baths
2

Credits

Interior Design
Dana Oberson
Landscape Design
Haim Kohen
Builder
Eli Gol (construction) / Yaron Tibet (finishes)
Bar Engineering - Eran Eldor and Tomer Ben Tovim (project management)
Photographer
Roee Dori

From MGA | Meirav Galan Architect

Architect Meirav Galan designed the “Neve Tzedek Patio House” located in the historic Neve Tzedek neighborhood of Tel Aviv.
The townhouse, of which the extension and preservation was completed in 2020, was one of the first houses built in the picturesque neighborhood at the end of the 19th century and was originally built as a one-story house with a flat roof. During the 1930’s, the house was extended and architecturally redesigned, adding a second floor with a tiled roof, a gallery balcony, and exterior stairs.

With the passage of time, the beautiful house suffered from neglect. However, it was recently sold to its new owners, a family of six.

“On my first visit to the house, underneath all the neglect, I could sense the European charm combined with the local Mediterranean scent,” describes Architect Meirav Galan. “I discovered impressive high ceilings, classic European wooden doors and windows, iron detailed balustrades and a beautiful Mediterranean balcony with a Parisian touch. I imagined myself reviving the story and interweaving with my clients’ dreams”.

The architectural design of the townhouse, spanning over a long rectangle lot (8.5m/28.5m), included preservation as required by the municipality law, partial destruction and new additions that extended the built area from 250m2 to 580m2, of which 190m2 were underground (constructed while supporting the preserved parts of the existing house and the neighbors’ houses).

The northern wing of the house included architectural preservation and detail restoration. The existing two floors were preserved as well as the facade’s original openings and unique balcony. The large tower that had held a staircase connecting the two levels was demolished and replaced by a new extension, built and re-designed as if it had always been there. The tiled roof was replaced by a rooftop balcony with a sea-view and plunge pool.

The front yard that had originally been two meters higher than the street was terraced, creating a new level with a welcoming exterior entrance and a service area on the street level as well as a new lowered yard that brings in natural light and air to the basement. A new staircase was designed and built to lead towards the preserved entrance level.

The southern wing was rebuilt and extended to include two new floors lower than the old wing floors due to preservation heights’ limitations, and a tiled roof attic with a balcony. The facade, though new, was designed with details similar to the original northern facade.
A garden patio was designed as the heart of the house between the old wing and the new one, providing extra natural light and functioning as an intimate private outdoor space in the middle of a very dense urban fabric.

While the street facades preserve the aesthetic character of the original house and of the neighborhood, the patio’s steel framed windows facades were designed as a contrast entity, emphasizing the new architectural design. This, describes Architect Meirav Galan, is “the new chapter added to the old story of this marvelous house”.