Innovative nostalgia

Kiryat Ono Housing Project

Advisor | Dr. Arch. Dan Preis

Integrative Studio – Spring 2024

project abstract The project proposes 100 rental housing units in Kiryat Ono for a diverse population of singles, couples, and young families.
Located on a 5-dunam parking lot, the site connects two areas with a 3.24-meter topographic difference through the existing Music Center. The surroundings include renewed residential buildings, an assisted living facility, and open green areas leading to a redeveloped military base. The design reinterprets Kiryat Ono’s agricultural past, creating a network of courtyards and bridges that connect residents and link the project to its context. These courtyards integrate commercial, agricultural, and community functions, forming a continuous public layer at ground level. Above, four residential levels connect through bridges and spiral circulation, leading to a roof level with urban farming, solar systems, and technical areas.
The project’s form and orientation were shaped by climatic analysis—enhancing sunlight, shading, and cross-ventilation throughout the courtyards and facades.

General Background – Impressions and Agricultural Past of Kiryat Ono

The Agricultural Past of Kiryat Ono

Initial Formal and Conceptual Development

The design process began with identifying the main axes passing through the center of the music building and connecting the different edges of the site, extending through the existing parking area and duplicated along the plot. To establish a strong connection with the surrounding context, a series of courtyards were introduced, each designed and characterized according to the existing edge it connects to within the site.

Conceptual Physical Model – New Axis Created by the Developed Form

Topographic difference

Deployment & Replication of Existing Axes across the Site

Climate Analysis – Existing Conditions

The spatial organization of the residential system, connected through bridges, emerges from a climatic logic. Solar radiation analysis of winter and summer conditions revealed a dominant northern shadow direction, defining the project’s orientation strategy.
The configuration balances exposure and protection — reducing solar impact during summer while preserving soft winter light. Through this vertical and horizontal arrangement, a sequence of courtyards and external spaces is formed, offering shaded, comfortable environments and minimizing unwanted radiation on façades.

Summer Sunlight Analysis – 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Winter Sunlight Analysis – 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Form Development – Central Inner Courtyard Concept – Connection to Existing Context via Courtyards

Inner Courtyard

Courtyard-Centered Design

Bridge Connection between Apartments

Final Residential Layout

Site Plan 1:1000

Entrance Level – Circulation Axes

Entrance Level – Entrances

View of the Plaza from the Music Building

View from the Neighboring Residential Building

Characterizing Each External Courtyard –

Linking to the Existing Context with Different Fruit Trees

View from the Senior Housing

View from the Opposite Open Space

Characterizing Courtyard Design in Relation to Context Edge

Inner Courtyard View – Spiral Circulation

Spiral Circulation & Bridge Network Connecting to Residential Level

Typical Residential Level- Apartments Facing Both the Internal and External Courtyards

Primary Circulation Cores – Elevators and Emergency Stairs, Continuous External Spiral Stairs

Resident Movement on Bridges – Linking the Residents

Residential Bridge Circulation Network

Spiral Circulation Network Across Levels

The Project Offers Three Compact Residential Typologies with Different Sizes – 35 m² Single, 40 m² Couple, 55 m² Young Family

Residential Typologies

Typical Residential Level – Typology Distribution Diagram

Residential Cluster – Apartment Access, Privacy & Sun Protection

Apartment Access: Apartments are accessed via bridges that include privacy features, featuring shading elements in the form of green walls with climbing plants in front of each apartment door.
Balcony Privacy & Sun Protection: Balconies facing one of the four exterior courtyards also include privacy louvers, which serve as solar radiation protection. The louvers’ angles are adjusted based on the orientation of each balcony to protect from solar radiation from the respective façade direction.

Summer Sunlight Analysis – 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM