Concrete and glass surfaces extend from inside to outside at Israeli house by Studio de Lange
A glazed corridor flanked by sunken courtyards connects two pristine concrete volumes containing the living and sleeping areas of this house in the Israeli district of Rishpon.
Tel Aviv firm Studio de Lange designed the residence for a 8,000-square-metre plot, featuring landscaped gardens that extend up to and around the living spaces.
The building's T-shaped plan comprises a pair of monolithic concrete volumes set perpendicular to one another towards the front of the site, with a swimming pool and extensive grounds to the rear.
"The differing functions of the house characterise the structures," said the studio.
"The public wing has monumental proportions in terms of height and volume, thus differentiating itself from the private wing, which has elongated proportions and lesser height for an intimate feeling."
A circular cobbled driveway leads from the street towards the entrance, which is sheltered by a canopy that projects from the smooth facade of the block containing the main living areas.
The entrance leads into an open-plan space containing the lounge at one end and a dining area adjoining the kitchen at the other.
The entire rear facade is lined with full-height glazing that looks out towards the pool and garden. Sliding doors open onto a patio shaded by a canopy incorporating adjustable louvres.
The living space is flanked by a 22-metre concrete wall that separates the communal areas from the kitchen and a staircase descending to the basement. The wall also provides a backdrop for some of the owners' artworks.
At the far end of the living room, a bridge encased in a transparent box incorporating louvred sun screens traverses the space between the two main structures.
The glazed corridor looks down onto sunken courtyards on either side and provides views towards the gardens beyond.
The house's private wing contains bedrooms and an office arranged linearly along one edge. A connecting corridor extends the length of this structure, which culminates in a master suite looking south towards the gardens.
The basement level below the private areas contains a screening room, gallery and small lounge that looks onto a courtyard with a tree at its centre.
Throughout the building, large expanses of smooth concrete with visible marks from its formwork construction are complemented by natural stone flooring laid in large slabs.
Metal and wood used for architectural details such as the window profiles, canopies and kitchen units are treated with black finishes to provide visual consistency and maintain a minimal, neutral palette.
"The material and colour palettes were greatly restrained so as not to overbear the space," said the architects, "allowing the space itself to be an adequate airy platform for the residents and their exquisite art and design collection."
In many of the internal spaces, the materials used extend out onto the patios and courtyards, enhancing the seamless transition between the interior and exterior.
Photography is by Amit Geron.