alon alexandroni completes barn-like household home in tel aviv countryside

a house in the countryside

in ein vered, half an hour from tel aviv, israel-based architecture practice alon alexandroni has completed a residential project dubbed ‘a house in the countryside’. as its name implies, the barn-like house is placed in the middle of a long plot, surrounded by plants and agriculture. spanning an area of 211 sqm, the project takes shape as a rectangular structure, reaching 24 meters in length and nine in width.

on the one hand, the design is informed by local wood and earth, orchards, and agriculture, while on the other it takes some cues from israeli concrete brutalism period. thus, the final design combines multiple materials and textures in one simple shape.all images by alon alexandroni

splitting into two parts: the transparent and the solid 

spatially, the house implements a simple layout. the team at alon alexandroni (see more here) positioned the entrance in the middle of the structure, dividing the house into two living units. the one is designed to accommodate the common spaces and the other the sleeping areas. in turn, each unit shares a unique facade that conforms to the services of its part. the rear northern façade is more transparent, bright, and lightweight. it is clad with a curtain wall and overlooks the fruit grove. this way, the living space and the kitchen flood in daylight, generating a pleasant atmosphere for the family to spend time there. 

in contrast, the front façade embraces a more massive character clothed in two uneven concrete walls. this unique shape leaves uncovered a small strip of glazing that opens towards the long field yet protects it from the harsh israeli sun. the different sizes of its two parts break the symmetry and reflect the variety of the interior. in this side of the house, the light comes in from the higher parts, casting short shadows into the rooms and long shadows along the corridor. the concrete façade is cast into thin diagonal wood molds, which gives it the warmth of wood and a tender feeling of cloth.

concrete, glass, wood, and metal dominate the interior

when it came to materiality, the design team opted for four main materials: concrete, glass, wood, and metal. their interactions are accentuated by the contrast with a background of white gypsum or plaster. moreover, a wooden roof and gallery are built and revealed, along with long interior views, which creates rhythm in the space. the double-height living room creates a visual communication with a gallery workplace which takes form as a mezzanine level above. the connection between the two levels is succeeded through thin metal stairs, while a wooden porch is subtracted from the consistent roof. 

the rear northern façade consists entirely of curtain wall and watches the fruit grove