59m² Apartment in Central Tel-Aviv by XS Studio
Working while watching TV. Taking a shower in a wet room rather than a shower stall. Washing the face in the morning in front of a wide window with an urban view. Doing the laundry in a dedicated space filled with natural light. All these were the starting points for planning a 59m² apartment in central Tel-Aviv.
The primary focus in this apartment was on the experience and “rituals” involving each space. Functions and size of areas were re-examined and applied in different proportions and locations from the original plan, according to the new story weaved around it.
The bedroom, usually the most intimate room in the house, and far from the public area, is located right next to the entrance. Instead of standard opaque white walls, it is enclosed by a transparent vitrine with curtains. Hence, the entrance hall adjacent to it feels spacious and open, and in fact, becomes functional. When having guests, the curtains are closed, and yet the partition conveys (an individual) light and stillness to the place.
A carpentry box replaces the main interior walls of the house, creating a partition and serving many functions: For the bedroom, it serves as a wardrobe, which continues beyond the glass partition, where it serves as an entrance closet. The continuity of the wardrobe from this direction, beyond the separation, perceptively expands the space of the rooms bordering it. Regarding the kitchen, the box functions as a high storage unit that includes a pantry, refrigerator, and in its continuation towards the living room, serves as a television cabinet, and decorative shelves.
The dining table, located in the foyer, is usually folded and serves as a thin counter for keys, letters and entrance rituals. When hosting takes place, the table opens up and turns the whole space into an area for 6 to dine, with chairs collected from all parts of the house. Since the tenant rarely hosts, there is no traditional dining table. The kitchen counter serves as a place for morning coffee or a light meal.
The kitchen is planned as a simple and functional preparation area since the tenant doesn’t cook much and doesn’t require a large storage area. To mark the visual separation between the kitchen and the living room, a different flooring was chosen. The parquet that covers most of the house has been replaced by a strip of decorated ceramic tiles reminiscent of the original balcony that was there.
The tenant works a great deal from home but doesn’t require a separate work area. On the contrary, he requested to be able to work and watch television simultaneously. Accordingly, the work area is located at the edge of the public space, in what used to be the balcony. Thus he can enjoy the comfort of ample space and not work in a small secluded room. He can watch television or host and prepare coffee in one multi-functional area: living room – kitchen – workspace- dining room – library.
The bathroom was given a meaning different than the usual. It became a room with two internal divisions: a dry space and a wet space, an open and airy area, and a hot and enclosed area.
A glass and steel Door leads from the entrance hall to the open and dry area. Here, in front of a large window, a sink was set, and underneath it, a washing machine and a dryer.
The broad surface created, was intended for the folding and care of laundry, and to wash one’s face and hands, unusually, facing the warm southern light and Tel-Aviv’s urban view.
Opposite to the washing and laundry area, a large yellow wall cabinet was designed to add to the sensation of light and warm feeling of the room.
An additional door leads to the wet area. This area replaces the common washing area: There is no tight shower stall here. It is a huge damp space containing “wet” and private functions, allowing each to be used for comfort and convenience. It gives the possibility to dry one’s self and step out into the next space.
Photography by Gidon Levin