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Flat in Tel Aviv by Jacobs-Yaniv Architects

Play "spot the woman" in this photo set of an apartment that references Tel Aviv's 1950s interiors by Israeli practice Jacobs-Yaniv Architects (+ slideshow).

Flat in Tel Aviv by Jacobs-Yaniv Architects

As the clients are modernist enthusiasts, Jacobs-Yaniv Architects used materials, colours and furniture from the movement's heyday to inform the design of the 190-square-metre space.

Flat in Tel Aviv by Jacobs-Yaniv Architects

"It was a great joy to study flats of Tel Aviv's 50s, which were designed very cleverly," said the designers.

Flat in Tel Aviv by Jacobs-Yaniv Architects

Spaces are kept as open as possible in keeping with this style and to allow maximum flexibility for the family.

Flat in Tel Aviv by Jacobs-Yaniv Architects

A corridor denoted by wooden flooring runs the full length of the long plan, utilised as a study area and library.

Flat in Tel Aviv by Jacobs-Yaniv Architects

The master bedroom sits at the far end, with an adjacent dressing room and its own terrace.

Flat in Tel Aviv by Jacobs-Yaniv Architects

Another larger terrace is positioned at the other end, accessible from the dining and lounge areas used for entertaining guests.

Flat in Tel Aviv by Jacobs-Yaniv Architects

Placed in the centre of the flat, kitchen units supported on an L-shaped black steel frame have oak doors lower down and lacquered yellow cupboards on top. These finishes are also used for storage compartments elsewhere.

Flat in Tel Aviv by Jacobs-Yaniv Architects

The children's play area can be closed off with sliding doors to create a private guest room.

Flat in Tel Aviv by Jacobs-Yaniv Architects

Last week we featured another Tel Aviv apartment, which has perforated metal that screens conceal rooms and storage space, and we've also posted Google's offices in the city with a meeting room full of orange trees.

Photography is by Amit Geron.

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Jacobs-Yaniv Architects sent us the following information:


Tel Aviv of the 1950s meets 2000

For the clients, who were born and bred in Tel Aviv, but spent most of their adult life in a house in the suburbs raising their family, the ultimate dream was to come back to Tel Aviv as mature and independent individuals, available to enjoy all that the city has to offer.

Informed and inspired by their love to modernist Tel Aviv of 50s and modernist design, with today's influences and technological advantages, they gained what they had hoped for.

Flat in Tel Aviv by Jacobs-Yaniv Architects

The clients asked that the majority of space is kept open for maximum diversity in family activities.

There is only one formal bedroom placed in the far end of the flat while all other functions are concentrated in the centre of the space, holding the family area, a desk for two people, the kitchen and a play area which is a flexible space used both as a play room and guest room.

Flat in Tel Aviv by Jacobs-Yaniv Architects

This room is placed right by the family area and can be isolated by two sliding doors - very typical of Tel Aviv's 50s. The design of the kitchen, which was placed in the centre of the flat as a piece of furniture, involved meticulous detailing. The oak and coloured Formica cupboards, lined with black internal finishing, are held within a steel structure.

The structure also houses all the required electric fittings – smart home control panels, lighting and speakers. The kitchen was tailor-made to the requirements of the owners who love to cook and host.

Flat in Tel Aviv by Jacobs-Yaniv Architects

Great thought was put into day-to-day functionality. There is plenty of storage space and display shelves for items that the clients have collected throughout the years.

The utility room is placed by the master bed room. It serves also as the guest bathroom and can be accessed through the main living space too, providing great ease around house work.

Flat in Tel Aviv by Jacobs-Yaniv Architects
Floor plan - click for larger image

We strongly believe that optimum functionality and harmonious living in a home should be as flexible and fluent as possible. Therefore we plan a variety of access points from room to room and design at least one space as a 'flexible room' which can be used in different ways.

It was a great joy to study flats of Tel Aviv's 50s, which were designed very cleverly providing exactly that; function, comfort and pleasure.