The House Behind a Sandstone Hill  This House is a 360 sqm, on a 1000 sqm lot, located in Hofit, Israel, not far from the sea close to a nature reserve. The idea behind the project was to keep the house private, and to keep the owner's architectural preferences hidden from passers-by. It was also a way to combine the owners' love of nature, as they requested to have modern architecture with a strong connection to nature. The hill is the first thing you see and slowly the other parts of the house are revealed. A metal window is in the front to give the first sign that a house is incorporated into the hill. The house is nestled in the hill and partially enclosed by it, on 4 facades, In the west facade a tunnel was built, leading into an excavated courtyard.

 

Sustainable values and approach were combined with this project: This project incorporates ecological aspects, such as a green roof (recently planted), the use of thermal insulation in the following way:  The hill was positioned on the facades that get direct and strong sun exposure during the day (which is south and east) and incorporates air passages to release excess heat.

 

The materials that were picked for the project also support the natural and sustainable approach, by using stone, metal and wood. Trying to use local material as much as possible, to reduce carbon footprint. Sandstone is the local stone known in the geographic area the house is in, therefor it's used for the hill, flooring and outdoor pathways.

Akoya wood, which is known for its sustainable values, is used in all outdoor areas. 

 

In the original plans, the hill was supposed to get another layer of natural sandstone which was intended to give it a more natural appearance, however the clients decided in mid process to keep the sandstone plaster finish as they loved it and wanted to keep it that way.

 

This project was an opportunity for me as a planner and a designer to offer an alternative approach to the street view, from what people are used to seeing. Hoping this project will encourage people to think about the connection between their private house and their preferences as individuals, to the public area.  

In Israel it is common that residential neighborhoods are diverse in a chaotic way.

I hope this can offer an alternative way of what neighborhoods can look like.

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