tipo949 renovation hybridizes contemporary dwelling with ancient stonework of old jaffa

architects raz melamed and omer danan present their tipo949 renovation in old jaffa, tel aviv. the newly revitalized dwelling faces the endless waves of the sea that break right at the entrance old city. the ancient stone building houses the meticulously crafted apartment interior. the house was designed for a young couple and their two children, who have already lived in the home for many years and knew how to identify every corner inside while identifying the home’s every need for improvement. in addition, they got to know the neighborhood around them in depth, including the climate and community that surrounds them– a very important detail in planning a home in a familiar environment. the buildings that surround the house are built in the topography of a ridge, which has seen a gradual transformation over the past 300 years.

images by amit geron

the tipo949 renovation introduces a unique design language to the tel aviv neighborhood of old jaffa. it is uniquely built in a clear grid whose ground floor is divided into six orthogonal units using columns and domes, with no levels or changes in ceiling heights. the facades of the other houses in the neighborhood feature a traditional construction that incorporates magnificent antique walls, arches and domes, which are in a uniform and rigid frame, inflexible to architectural changes, which is why in the original appeal the tenants sought an interior-only renovation so as not to disturb the traditional stone exterior.

with its tipo949 dwelling, architects raz melamed and omer danan discover new spaces within the heritage building in old jaffa. the team creates a new layout for maximum utility whether for hidden storage or for visible use. the interior of the house in its redesign presented a play between traditional and new, smooth and rough, plaster and stone — in the original construction the house was covered entirely with sandstone, an ancient traditional stone in israel, that adorned its walls and arches. during the renovation, selected areas of this sandstone were plastered over, creating moments that are contemporary and clean. the white plaster mimics the feeling of the sea, which in its infinite appearance creates a feeling of pure serenity.