architects raz melamed and omer danan present their tipo949 renovation in old jaffa, tel aviv. the newly revitalized accommodation faces the endless waves of the sea crashing right at the entrance to the old town. the old stone building houses the meticulously designed apartment interior. the house was designed for a young couple and their two children, who have already lived in the house for many years and have been able to spot every nook and cranny inside while identifying every need for improvement in the house. In addition, they got to know in depth the neighborhood around them, including the climate and the community around them, a very important detail in planning a home in a familiar environment. the buildings that surround the house are constructed in the topography of a ridge, which has undergone gradual transformation over the past 300 years.

pictures of friend geron

the tipo949 renovation introduces a unique design language to the tel aviv district of old jaffa. it is only built in a clear grid, the ground floor of which is divided into six orthogonal units using columns and domes, with no levels or changes in ceiling height. the facades of the other houses in the district present a traditional construction that incorporates magnificent ancient walls, arches and domes, which are in a uniform and rigid framework, inflexible to architectural changes, which is why in the original appeal the tenants sought an interior – only renovation so as not to disrupt the traditional stone exterior.

with its tipo949 housing, the architects raz melamed and omer danan are discovering new spaces within the heritage building of old jaffa. the team creates a new layout for maximum utility, whether for hidden storage or for visible use. the interior of the house in its redesign featured a play between traditional and new, smooth and rough, plaster and stone – in the original construction, the house was completely covered with sandstone, an ancient stone traditional in Israel, which adorned its walls and arches. during the renovation, selected areas of this sandstone were plastered, creating contemporary and uncluttered moments. the white plaster imitates the sensation of the sea, which in its infinite appearance creates a feeling of pure serenity.