The main goal of our work for Alony was to create an open and pleasant feeling for visitors in spite of the many products displayed in the showroom. For this reason, we decided to use only black, gray and white colors and avoided tall display walls at the entrance, instead placing them at the back to allow a full view of the room. The concrete ceiling, which we decorated with minimalist details, became the central feature of the space. Finally, advising booths were placed at the center of the room to convey the message of openness and availability; this was the same principle that guided the design of the welcome desk, a low structure made out of wood, which invites clients to make inquiries.
Haifa University is built on the projection of a ridge of Mount Carmel that looks over the bay of this Mediterranean city. The site chosen for the Student Center building overlooks a deep valley as well as the bay and has a steep topography. Its upper part abuts the scenic road that extends through the entire campus, ending at the site. In order not to interfere with the view, the building’s roof had to be set below the level of the scenic road.
Haifa University Student Center by Chutin Architects
Architects – Chyutin Architects Ltd.
Location- Haifa, Israel
Client- Haifa University
Team- Bracha Chyutin, Michael Chyutin, Ethel Rosenhek, Joseph Perez
The Urban Context: Haifa is the main northern city of Israel, situated on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea, on the slops of Mount Carmel. The building site is located at Haifa’s downtown area, between two roads that define its boundary. The lower avenue serves as a main city thoroughfare, linking the city of Haifa to the northern part of Israel. The topographical situation is unique as the topographical soaring of Mount Carmel begins at the site’s longitude parallel. As a result, the building’s positioning is “double faced,” i.e., one side facing the mountain and the other facing the sea. The structure has two public entrances. The main entrance leads from the urban square in the west directly to the upper entrance level. The secondary entrance from the urban square on the eastern side of the structure leads to the lower entrance level. The building’s entrance square from the west is a meeting point of main urban pedestrian routes.
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