Under the hidden ground. Younes and Soraya Nazarian library by A. Lerman architects
27/09/2021.
[Haifa] Israel
metalocus, ANTONIO PLATO
metalocus, ANTONIO PLATO
Haifa University proposed a competition for the expansion and renovation of the main library by O. Niemeyer (1962-8). The Israeli architecture studio, based in Tel Aviv, A. Lerman architects have been the winner with its proposal "Younes & Soraya Nazarian Library".
The competition called for the remodeling of the existing library spaces, as well as an auditorium, new spaces for the library's collections, and adding office space to the homes.
The competition called for the remodeling of the existing library spaces, as well as an auditorium, new spaces for the library's collections, and adding office space to the homes.
Younes and soraya nazarian library by A. Lerman architects. Photograph by Amit Geron
Younes and soraya nazarian library by A. Lerman architects. Photograph by Amit Geron
Younes and soraya nazarian library by A. Lerman architects. Photograph by Amit Geron
Younes and soraya nazarian library by A. Lerman architects. Photograph by Amit Geron
Younes and soraya nazarian library by A. Lerman architects. Photograph by Amit Geron
Younes and soraya nazarian library by A. Lerman architects. Photograph by Amit Geron
Younes and soraya nazarian library by A. Lerman architects. Photograph by Amit Geron
Younes and soraya nazarian library by A. Lerman architects. Photograph by Amit Geron
Younes and soraya nazarian library by A. Lerman architects. Photograph by Amit Geron
Younes and soraya nazarian library by A. Lerman architects. Photograph by Amit Geron
Younes and soraya nazarian library by A. Lerman architects. Photograph by Amit Geron
Younes and soraya nazarian library by A. Lerman architects. Photograph by Amit Geron
Younes and soraya nazarian library by A. Lerman architects. Photograph by Amit Geron
Younes and soraya nazarian library by A. Lerman architects. Photograph by Amit Geron
Younes and soraya nazarian library by A. Lerman architects. Photograph by Amit Geron
Younes and soraya nazarian library by A. Lerman architects. Photograph by Amit Geron
Younes and soraya nazarian library by A. Lerman architects. Photograph by Amit Geron
Younes and soraya nazarian library by A. Lerman architects. Photograph by Amit Geron
Younes and soraya nazarian library by A. Lerman architects. Photograph by Amit Geron
Younes and soraya nazarian library by A. Lerman architects. Photograph by Amit Geron
General plan floor. Younes and soraya nazarian library by A. Lerman architects
Facade. Younes and soraya nazarian library by A. Lerman architects
Long section. Younes and soraya nazarian library by A. Lerman architects
Cross section. Younes and soraya nazarian library by A. Lerman architects
Section 1. Younes and soraya nazarian library by A. Lerman architects
Section 2. Younes and soraya nazarian library by A. Lerman architects
Handrail detail. Younes and soraya nazarian library by A. Lerman architects
Schemes. Younes and soraya nazarian library by A. Lerman architects
The winning proposal of the contest, Younes & Soraya Nazarian Library, by the architecture studio A. Lerman architects, aims to extract the original intentions of O. Niemeyer on the campus and amplify them as a tribute to the Brazilian architect.
The study places a new building under a parking lot located in front and at a higher elevation. That is, the new building is excavated and partly hidden since it is only visible from close up.
In this way, they create a new open space that acts as the nucleus between the newly excavated building and the existing library. This space allows new connections, where they place circular concrete stairs and use advanced techniques of the same material, taking into account the always contemporary approach of O. Niemeyer.
The study places a new building under a parking lot located in front and at a higher elevation. That is, the new building is excavated and partly hidden since it is only visible from close up.
In this way, they create a new open space that acts as the nucleus between the newly excavated building and the existing library. This space allows new connections, where they place circular concrete stairs and use advanced techniques of the same material, taking into account the always contemporary approach of O. Niemeyer.
Description of project by A. Lerman architects
This project is an intervention project in one of the most iconic sites of modernist Israeli architecture – the Oscar Niemeyer planned campus of the University of Haifa.
The architecture competition asked for remodeling of existing library spaces and an addition to house office spaces, an auditorium, and new spaces for library collections.
The scheme aimed at extracting the original intentions of the campus while updating its weaker moments. That was achieved by placing the new building under an existing parking lot and creating a new open space between it and the existing library. This open space offers new connections between the two parts, and its unique proportions allow for the evaluation of the linear intensity of the original design.
The material strategy is also meant to amplify the qualities of the original by using updated concrete techniques and placing central elements such as circular concrete stairs as an homage to Niemeyer and his always contemporary approach.
More information
Architects
Design team
Project architects. Phase 1.- Lev Konikov- Phase 2.- Nimrod Schenkelbach.
Client
Area
New wing.- 5,000 sqm. Renovation.- 3,000 sqm.
Dates
2012.
Location
Haifa, Israel.
Photography
Asaf Lerman A. Lerman Architects
A. Lerman Architects is situated in the south of Tel Aviv in a locksmith workshop turned into an architectural studio. The practice was established in 2006 by Asaf Lerman, an Architectural Association graduate. Their portfolio consists entirely of public projects & Asaf is a well-known spokesman for the civic rights in face of the rapidly privatized world everyone lives in.
Their team style working methodology is based on a careful analysis of the site and the mapping of its various contexts. They view the design process as a system with parameters that need to be articulated and prioritized. Once presented clearly, these parameters enable the team to precisely design the effects of architecture over specific layers of the mapped context.
This unique working methodology has led A.Lerman architects, through architectural competitions, to design some of Israel's most renowned public buildings. Central to their portfolio is a series of architectural interventions into iconic buildings in Israel aimed at a re-activation of their public interphase and modern promise.
Their team style working methodology is based on a careful analysis of the site and the mapping of its various contexts. They view the design process as a system with parameters that need to be articulated and prioritized. Once presented clearly, these parameters enable the team to precisely design the effects of architecture over specific layers of the mapped context.
This unique working methodology has led A.Lerman architects, through architectural competitions, to design some of Israel's most renowned public buildings. Central to their portfolio is a series of architectural interventions into iconic buildings in Israel aimed at a re-activation of their public interphase and modern promise.
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