The offices of the Jerusalem Development Authority, located in an ancient stone building in Safra Square, have been given a space with grandeur and respect that is deeply embedded in its walls. High ceilings, arches, vaults, generous windows—all of these create an exciting experience for anyone who enters the building. When we came to integrate new interior design, we took all these design values into account carefully, added a new, soft, respectful, and inclusive layer of furniture, carpentry, textiles, and upholstery—elements that enhance rather than detract. The design combines classic architectural lines with modern elements, creating workspaces that maintain clean lines, an internal color palette that echoes the exterior, and an abundance of natural light. All of this has resulted in an elegant, functional, and productive office environment, deeply connected to its location.
Soft layers on top of the strong foundation of the ancient stone building. The public space is an open and inviting area, full of natural light.
The original structure is the foundation of the space. The high ceilings and the vaulted cross-beams in the ceiling create an awe-inspiring space. The role of the new layers is to blend in gently and add functional features.
Along the main corridors, a multifunctional bench has been placed. The bench, which runs alongside the wide windows, incorporates various required functions – seating area, shelf, and planters. The goal is to maintain a clean line and ensure that the space remains aesthetically pleasing even with frequent foot traffic and changing maintenance personnel. A fixed piece of furniture allows for control over the space’s appearance over time.
Warm materials, wood and textiles, are integrated into the stone walls in the workspaces, creating an atmosphere of productivity and focus, along with acoustic and thermal qualities.
Natural light creates healthy and pleasant workspaces.
The construction method of the historic building is based on fields of vaulted cross-beams – two vaults intersecting at right angles. The living room corner, which connects the kitchen and the entrance to the CEO’s office, is framed by the rhythm of the structure and serves as the heart of the Authority’s activities.
The building’s arches contain wide openings that bring northern light into the structure, adding further shading to this expansive space, which is exceptionally generous.
The ancient stone building features large windows in the northern spaces, while the rooms have higher and smaller windows. The need to divide the large spaces into smaller, more private work areas led us to introduce partitions in the offices that combine elements of transparency. This maintains the sense of space and openness, while providing privacy and separation between the areas in a harmonious way.
The office features partitions that incorporate elements of transparency, preserving the sense of space and openness, while providing privacy and separation between areas in a harmonious way.
The restrooms are an important space within the work environment, and we aimed to create a pleasant atmosphere with a distinct and refreshing design. We worked with a color palette of green and gold, wood, and marble. By adding a space with a different ambiance, the result is an expansion of the user’s experience throughout the day.
The restroom space received special attention, with green tiles and golden elements creating a completely different experience compared to the calm, understated design of the shared spaces.
The materials chosen, the dark wood and marble, contribute to the luxurious appearance and provide a moment of escape and tranquility.
When designing workspaces, it is important to consider the experience of an employee who spends most of their hours in the office. This is an opportunity to offer the individual a special experience, every day.
