Designed by Tel-Aviv practice Golany Architects, the design of Residence in the Galilee maximizes the potential of the setting by creating direct connections between the home and the natural environment.

Finished in a palette that is suitable to the rural landscape, the house is clad in a cement-textured plaster with timber shutters, which relates to the yellow and brown hues nearby. To maximize the site and incorporate outdoor spaces, the layout has been split into two levels, organizing the main living spaces on the ground floor with the bedrooms above. The living areas extends out toward the sea, while the bedrooms hover above the trees, both with expansive views in all directions.

Sustainable strategies that take advantage of the Mediterranean setting are integrated into the design. Large openings along the east and south are protected from the intense sun by movable wooden shutters. These wooden screens provide privacy and shade, while allowing the occupants to enjoy the outdoor elements in a comfortable setting.

The double-skin envelope composed of glass and wooden shutters enhances the thermal comfort of the home, while also creating an ever-changing facade. The in-between spaces between the two layers transform into outdoor rooms that blend the boundary between interior and exterior. On each level, outdoor living spaces extend the interior seamlessly onto the surrounding landscape, and carefully situated openings provide views to the sea, village, and garden.

Recently, this striking house was filmed for the acclaimed BBC's program The World's Most Extraordinary Homes.

Project Credits:

Architect of Record: Golany Architects

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Moveable Wooden Screens Add a Playful Touch to This Airy Home in Israel