Natural mud plaster and a patio with a view deep into the Negev: a contemporary interpretation of housing in the heart of the desert

The planning included special attention to the creation of an indoor climate, taking into consideration the exposure directions, insulation and sealing, in order to cope with the desert surroundings and weather conditions, while still providing a pleasant and comfortable indoor environment all year round.

The main requirement
The house is in the heart of the Negev, a desert-like region. The main requirement of this project was that the house blend harmoniously with the landscape. The house is built with natural materials, from the different types of plaster and the construction of the house itself, to the furnishings and interior décor. The house was designed down to the fine details, and the owners, who were involved in all the planning stages, built a Lego model to illustrate their vision for their home.

Another aspect that was important to the owners was the synergy between the outside and the inside. They asked the architect to design a public area on the ground floor, where the family could be together and enjoy the view of their garden, which would have an assortment of desert plants.

The main challenge
The desert heat, the blazing sun and the swirling sand were among the main challenges. The architect’s design tames these harsh conditions with plenty of natural shade created by natural open roofing made from wooden poles, and a series of large windows that face the patio.  The neutral-toned mud plaster chosen for the interior of the house, and the natural plaster for the exterior, help the two blend with one another. Both the large glass doors and the arched windows have slim, minimalist Belgian-style profiles, with the advantages of the strength and quality of aluminum, for the greatest practical value. The windows are also very well insulated, giving the indoor space a pleasant climate.

The entrance
Wide stone stairs lead up from the street to the front door. The entrance is shaded by eucalyptus poles and there is a small seating area near the door.

The kitchen
The greenish-turquoise toned kitchen is to the right of the entrance, and is dominated by a large island topped with a black granite work surface. A long, low-hanging light fixture above the island creates a playful, inviting atmosphere, and the six seats around it accommodate the entire family. One wall of the kitchen is made of glass, illuminating the room with natural light, and opens onto the patio.

The hall
In the space between the living room and the kitchen is the entrance to the hallway leading to the private wing of the house. The right side of hallway is made of glass and looks out onto the patio, with its natural stone flooring and shade from eucalyptus-pole open roofing that creates an eye-pleasing aesthetic for anyone looking outside from the hallway. The right side of the hallway is brightened by a bookcase built of colorful MDF cubes, and has the entrances to the guest bathroom and the staircase to the second floor.

The family area
The hallway ends at the family area that leads onto the children’s and parents’ bedrooms, the washroom and the laundry room. The family area has a large arched window facing the patio, and has a built-in bench and one wall covered with OSB chipboard that adds to the richness of the materials and textures.

The children’s rooms
The children’s rooms are dominated by wooden loft beds, with their wooden ladders and rope safety-net panels. The children’s bathroom is floored with pale green patterned tiles and has one wall of long rectangular tiles in a vertical herringbone pattern. The other walls are painted grey and are accented by the natural oak vanity cabinets and the black faucets.

The master bedroom
The parents’ suite is adjacent to, yet completely separate from, the children’s bedrooms. The décor is simplistic, with touches of blue and turquoise.

The bathroom is floored with decorative tiles and has a unique shower stall with an arched doorway, reminiscent of a Turkish steam room, with interior and exterior wall tiles in an impressive mixture of shades of dusky blue.

The staircase to the second floor
A natural oak staircase leads to the second floor, which has a guest suite with a domed ceiling and an arched door that opens onto a veranda with a view of the desert landscape. The second floor also has a large open play area accented with an industrial-look pale turquoise metal book case. On the far side of the play area is a work corner overlooking the living room.

Team:
Architect: Kfir Vax
Interior design: Hagit Londner

Material Used:
Aluminum profile system: Cochav Aluminum