Planning and design: Hillel Architecture – architect Shira Moskal and interior designer Hadas Roth on behalf of “Hillel Architecture” Project manager: Rinat Grover Yosef Housing: Jerusalem duplex 300 sqm + 150 sqm balcony Photography: Maor Moyar
“Located in Jerusalem’s upscale Rehavia neighbourhood, this two-storey home is intended primarily for non-residents who are moving to Israel and considering the capital as their future home,” explain architect Shira Moskal and interior designer Hadas Roth of Hillel Architecture. Planning and designing a luxury apartment was a major challenge, as we had no idea what kind of family would ultimately live there, or what their needs and preferences might be.
Hillel Architecture (photo courtesy of Maor Moyal) Hillel Architecture (photo courtesy of Maor Moyal)
Although Jerusalem is not a place where they are recognized as a place where they work and know the hearts of the people they work for, mainly in Sharon and the central city, they decided to “venture” into Jerusalem. During a vacation in the capital, Moskal met with the developer and realized that this was a gem that could be turned into a special and unusual apartment. Moskal explains: “It is a two-storey apartment in a surrounding boutique building, with two floors occupying private floors, four-way air flow and captivating views of Jerusalem. In terms of planning, the apartment’s internal division and the arrangement of functions within the space were poorly done. We had to plan and design for a Jewish-American clientele, who tend to prefer Jerusalem as a place of residence.”
On the other hand, says Ross, “designing and planning an apartment for strangers is magical because you have total freedom: choice of materials, colors, furniture, design concept. On the other hand, there is a certain amount of risk, because there is no third party and all transactions are with developers who trust us from start to finish.”
Hillel Architecture (photo courtesy of Maor Moyal) Hillel Architecture (photo courtesy of Maor Moyal)
“Although the aforementioned client is a question mark, we targeted a very specific target demographic: traditional American families. Families who are looking for a very high level of finish in terms of infrastructure and materials.”In terms of the design, Hillel Architecture designed an apartment suitable as a permanent residence or vacation apartment, with many suites and shared spaces suitable for large families. The design concept is similar to Jerusalem, with interior walls featuring rough stucco with a stone look, arches with millwork details, and a combination of modern elements and materials.
Hillel Architecture (photo courtesy of Maor Moyal) Hillel Architecture (photo courtesy of Maor Moyal)
Each floor makes a different statement. The upper floor is very open, with a 360-degree view of Jerusalem, the floor that makes it sacred. We chose a stone color scheme that combines black and gold, classic and temporary shades. All the walls on the floor were painted with a willow plaster finish in stone color. In contrast, the lower floor is bright and colorful. There is a central space that serves as a second family or a more intimate living room, next to which is the kitchenette. A special central corner between the various bedroom suites. For this floor, an American walnut fishbone parquet upholstery was chosen. Each suite is characterized by a different color, and the central space is also a different shade. The central staircase was demolished and a sculptural staircase made of iron and wood was built in its place.
Hillel Architecture (photo courtesy of Maor Moyal) Hillel Architecture (photo courtesy of Maor Moyal)
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The uniqueness of this apartment is reflected in the fact that the staircase is in the center, which allows for windows all around and creates an interesting unconventional relationship between the floors. The staircase is down and does not block the space. Usually in a duplex the rooms are on the upper floors, but in this apartment it goes down to the bedroom floor. This creates a very open space and draws attention to the banister, which is why it became a decorative iron den. For an American audience, the classic bathroom was designed with floor-to-ceiling stone-like tiles with very minimalist details.
Hillel Architecture (Courtesy of Maor Moyar) Shira Moskar Mimin and Hadas Lut – Hillel Architecture (Courtesy of Tal Alcabes)
Finally, Moskal explains: “This apartment opened the way for us to work in Jerusalem. We fell in love with working in this fascinating city. It offers the opportunity for unique and interesting projects, especially for Jewish communities around the world whose desire to emigrate was further strengthened by the war, and we can provide a necessary answer for our clients living abroad.”
