The owner of the house, director of the Yad Vashem Libraries, dreamed of creating an apartment that would reflect her love of literature, with books and shelves overflowing with knowledge in every corner. Her small apartment in Givatayim required renovation, since it looked outdated and did not fit the needs of her extensive book collection. Over the years she tried to find a solution, but various designers she turned to were unable to offer suitable storage solutions. Instead of seeing this apartment as a kind of problem, the designer Rinat Cohen, a graduate of Studio xs' training program for designers, recognized potential in the apartment, on its 37 square meters, and chose to face the challenge.
The planning process lasted two and a half months, and the execution took about three months, including all the installations, while paying attention to the small details and adapting to the personal needs of the owner of the house. The design approach was to create a spacious, bright and pleasant apartment that would reflect her love of literature while maintaining the limited budget. The first decision was to leave the central functions in place to avoid moving infrastructure that could increase project costs. Then, solutions were chosen to improve the space around these functions.
To avoid empty traffic and unnecessary rooms, cumbersome walls in the entrance and bedroom were removed and replaced with custom-made joinery that provides efficient storage solutions. The traditional rooms were replaced by defined areas for use and stay, in accordance with the "defined spaces" principle. The organizing element in the house welcomes those who come in the entrance with a mirror and storage space for keys, and hides the electrical and communication cabinet, as well as storage for cleaning materials and a vacuum cleaner. In the sleeping area, the element has become a wardrobe, with a vertical partition installed for additional storage and a TV. This partition does not reach the ceiling, which allows light and air to flow freely and create a light and pleasant appearance.
On the other side of the clothes hanging storage, a raised sleeping niche was designed with stairs that serve as additional storage. A lifting mechanism under the mattress allows the space to be used for long-term storage. Above the bed, carpentry was installed that covers the hazard piping that was central to the previous incarnation of the apartment, and provides additional storage for books and plants, alongside the installation of several lamps that are used to illuminate the room in addition to the natural light in the evening, for reading books and other arrangements needed in the room.
The bathroom, located in front of the front door, is the only space in the house with a separate door. In the room, many storage solutions were added under the sink, next to the sink and above the toilet, and its design in a vintage style includes painted floor tiles, vintage lamps and designed cabinet handles. All of these reflect the personality of the homeowner without compromising on functionality. In the public part of the apartment, the organizing element houses books, a television and a desk, which constitute a hidden work area for the owner of the house created during the Corona period.
The corner was designed as part of the organizing element, so the desk is a flexible space that can disappear when not in use, ensuring a smooth transition from work to leisure. The last part of the organizing element is connected to the kitchen and is the pantry cabinet. The kitchen is separated from the public space by a small island with an oven and stove on one side and seating on the other, to create a feeling of spaciousness and coziness.
The materials chosen for the project were "simple", to meet the apartment owner's budget, with most of the carpentry designed in white Formica and selected areas highlighted with oak veneer. On the minimalist base, personal touches of the owner of the house were added, such as vintage items, works of art, and a pink wall - her favorite color.