Ancient Stone House

Ancient Stone House

A private home, planned and designed in Safed’s old town, which blends old and new building elements. A few centuries old building with a barrel vault, with stone arches and walls, which houses the private sectors for the residents. In this section were placed the bedroom units for the owners and their children, as well as a guest room and a guest restroom. The second part is a new building and includes the public sectors. In this section were placed the living room, dining room, and a kitchen with a staircase which leads to the second gallery story from which it is possible to reach the roof balcony of the first, old section.

The idea behind the design accents the contrast between the various time frames and the clash between old and new. The new openings act as a seam between the two building styles and stress the dissonance between them. As such, a long vertical window can be observed between the two sections of the house where the front door is situated. This vertical opening also meets a new, horizontal opening which in part faces outwards and part inwards, and continues to a larger panoramic opening with a view to the surrounding mountains and palm trees.