ron shenkin studio transforms abandoned building into light-filled café in israel

ron shenkin studio transforms abandoned building into light-filled café in israel
all images by shai epstein

israel-based firm ron shenkin studio have renovated an abandoned building into a plant-filled café called ‘kofinas’. along with a museum and documentation center, the site – dating back to 1940s – was originally planned to become a bakery before turning into the documentation committee of tzur moshe. for the project, the architect decided to restore the building back to its original form.

kofinas serves as a café, alongside a museum and a documentation center in israel

greeted with a welcoming room displaying various historical items such as images and videos from tzur moshe’s settlement period, computer stations have been integrated for public use. designed as a flexible space; the furniture can be easily rearranged to accommodate different events and council meetings.

pivoting doors provide a seamless connection between the inside and outside

the focus of the interior is the open-plan dining area, highlighted by wooden shelves lined with antiquities, and simultaneously serving as partitioning. the construction combines old and new, with bricks from the tabun oven (a clay stove used for baking bread and pitta) have been utilized in various elements of the café. the office and restrooms have been arranged at the north side of the building- allowing easy access from the dining area and the garden.

the original building has been gutted out and renovated to facilitate the café and bar space

meanwhile, five pivoting glass doors that are connected on a central access provide natural light and a constant link to the outdoors. across from the courtyard, a pergola – designed to resemble a flower – provides shade over the outdoor dining area and finishes off the eatery, which blends history and culture to create a community space for the locals.

the flexible space can be adapted for community events and meetings

the outdoor dining space

a pergola provides shade and shelter to diners sitting outside