Famous for its physical shape, the village layout in Nahalal was projected by architect Richard Kauffman in the spirit of its founders – the idea of equivalents and share, a sort of round table, all that sit around it – are equal. It is based on concentric circles, with the public buildings (school, synagogue, swimming pool, administrative and cultural offices, cooperative shops and warehouses) in the center, the homesteads in the innermost circle, the farm buildings in the next, and beyond those, ever-widening circles of gardens and fields. From an aerial view point Nahalal seems like a sun with its rays. This equal parceling of the land became the trademark geometric shape of Nahalal.

Nahalal The moshav represents a form of cooperative settlement whereby the individual manages his own farm while the public facilities are shared.

The visitor who arrives at the memorial experiences, while progressing to the hall the confined geometry of the place that was designed with the help of a computer, and based on physical models. The materials used in the construction are wood and plaster. The space that is revealed inside the building is a clean space that forms a balance on the one hand of the general feeling, and on the other hand points to the photos of the fallen.

Architects: SO Architecture
Location: Kibbutz Yechiam, Israel
Project Team: Oded rozenkier, Shachar Lulav
Project year: 2008
Graphic Design: Maya Eyal-Rozenkier

Located in the center of the city’s cultural complex, the Tel Aviv Museum of Art is one of the biggest museums in Israel. The museum houses a comprehensive collection of classical and contemporary art, a sculpture garden and a youth wing. Opened as early as 1932, before the state of Israel was even founded, the museum moved to its current location in 1971 and a sculpture garden was established in 1999. Tel Aviv Museum of Art holds a wide selection of works and offers an interesting representation of Israeli art and culture.
The museum’s collection represents some of the leading artists of the first half of the 20th century and many of the major movements of modern art in this period such as German Expressionism, Cubism, Futurism, Russian Constructivism, Surrealism, French art and more. The museum’s main emphasis is on Israeli art, but it also has a selection of European art, including paintings of artists such as Renoir, Monet, Van Gogh, Matisse, and Picasso.

The Collection of Modern and Contemporary Art was founded at the beginning of the 1930s, and it grew rapidly from the outset thanks to the addition of entire collections and individual works donated by collectors from around the world. The museum also has an interesting department for photography, as well as design and architecture. Admission: IS42; students IS34; seniors IS21; under 18s free. Opening hours: Mon, Wed & Sat 10am-4pm; Tue & Thu 10am-8pm; Fri 10am-2pm.

Located at the edge of the Arab bazaar and marketplace, the gate has two towers, each equipped with machicolations. The origins of the entry into the Old City that is today known as Damascus Gate date back to the second century CE (135 A.D.), the period of the Roman city. In Arabic the Damascus gate is called Bab al’Amoud, or Pole Gate. It’s the gate most often used by modern pilgrims to Jerusalem. Impressive remains of the Roman gate still exist, including a whole arch above which it is possible to make out parts of an inscription reading To the colony of Aelia Capitolina by order of the city dignitaries. In the Damascus Gate the stairs descend towards the gate.

These days Tel Aviv boasts with high-concept industrial shops, single-artist showrooms, and expertly curated furniture boutiques are popping up across the city. At Israeli artist Ayala Serfaty’s just-opened Aqua Creations Showroom, you’ll find a selection of ottomans and chairs covered in velvet or Lycra and in organic shapes—bubbles; poufs.

Housed in a former train station, Made in TLV stocks a sleek range of design books, tabletop pieces, candles, and photographs. In the emerging Noga district, Rose & Bloom sells funky housewares, including signature “lamp dresses”—lights covered in Mondrian-inspired frock-shaped mylar paper shells.

Vintage hunters will swoon over Retro TLV, a spacious boutique filled with restored furniture by Midcentury masters, including Eames, Nelson, and Aalto. Don’t miss the 1950’s-era Israeli items—from Hebrew-language globes to kibbutz-style chairs. Talents Design showcases works by such up-and-coming Israeli designers as Dor Carmon. Best finds: orchid-shaped couches and earthy stone tables.

Architects: SO Architecture
Location: Ramat Ishay, Israel
Project Team: Shachar Lulav, Oded Rozenkier, Eran Mebel
Project year: 2007
Constructed Area: 60 sq. m
Photographs: Asaf Oren

The modern Rosso Restaurant is located in Ramat Yishay, a town in the Northern part of Israel. Inspired by the geography of the local area, its interior is designed by SO Architecture. Seats and wide windows are decorated with plant motifs to establish relations with the surrounding scenery.

On the border of Jordan and Israel is located one of the most spectacular natural and spiritual landscapes in the whole world. Some 400 m below sea level, the Dead Sea is the lowest point on the Earth’s surface. Without a doubt it is one of the most amazing places in the world. The major attraction at the Dead Sea is the warm, soothing, super salty water – over ten times saltier than the Mediterranean Sea. No life can survive in the sea, hence the name.

Because of the chemical composition of its water the Dead Sea offers an opportunity to treat various ailments. The Dead Sea region offers fascinating biblical and historical sites such as the mountain fortress of Masada, Ein Gedi and the first monasteries of the Christian monks. Also seaside facilities include modern hotels meeting the needs of visitors wishing to spend a vacation amidst one of the most unique landscapes in the World.

Located in the centre of  Tel Aviv, Melody Hotel is a contemporary hotel that offers a wonderful combination between service and atmosphere. Guests will enjoy ultimate urban design together with the best relaxing atmosphere. Sets just a 3-minute walk from a beach, the Melody is an ideal choice for a leisure or business experience.

The hotel features 55 mid-range guest rooms are air conditioned and equip with modern amenities like cable TV, DVD players, direct dial telephone with voice mail, and free wireless internet connection. The Melody Hotel has a stunning roof-top lounge with views over the city and the Mediterranean Sea where guests can enjoy free drinks and appetisers. It is open all day with complimentary snacks and beverages. The hotel provides superior facilities for example free bicycle hire – the perfect way to explore many of Tel Aviv’s top attractions.

A chic hotel located in the heart of Jerusalem that blend sophistication and modern international style with the unique and rich culture of Israel. Designed by the Israeli-born architect Moshe Safdie it brings world-class superior design and lifestyle hospitality. Opened last summer, Mamilla Hotel has gotten plenty of buzz, including being listed on Condé Nast Traveler’s Hot List for 2010. The MAmilla Hotel describes itself as the first luxury lifestyle hotel in Israel.

Mamilla Jerusalem Hotel offers 194 luxurious guest rooms of various sizes. The exquisite modern design was created by Piero Lissoni, one of Italy’s leading designers. All the rooms includes cable television, LCD screen, WiFi access, mini-bar, bathtub, personal safe and direct phone with voice mail.

Guests have a wealth of drinking and dining options which include a fashionable bar, an espresso corner, a wine tasting bar, a lobby café, an organic snack, juice bar and a spectacular rooftop restaurant overlooking the Old City, including the Tower of David and Jaffa Gate. Guests and visitors will enjoy in Akasha – Mamilla Holistic Well-being spa and gym center.

The prises start at a rate of $156 per person per night in double room.

Sommer Contemporary Art gallery is housed in mansion with high ceilings and polished concrete floors and is possibly Israel‘s leading contemporary art gallery. The gallery is dedicated to the promotion of Israeli art in the International art scene. The owners of the gallery are devoted to taking artists from the beginning of their artistic career and establishing for them a broad and international career. The picture displays a giant sculpture by Guy Zagursky.

The gallery is also working on the opposite route of bringing international artists to show and create in Tel-Aviv. Another important feature in introducing International contemporary art to Israeli public, has been invitation of international curators and gallery swaps with galleries. The picture shows ”Folding Time” by Ori Gersh.

Sommer Contemporary Art believes in creating a large cultural market and aims to put Tel-Aviv on the art world map. The gallery create a multinational home for Israeli and world wide art lovers, driven by the love of contemporary art and the strong belief that Israeli art is innovating and original force. Here Pavel Wolberg and his works.

Photos by: Rina Castelnuovo

Holon Design Museum is a wonderful project with external spaces where you can walk under the building by a semi-covered patio, and have the choice of taking the path of the air conditioning or other exposed to the elements of weather. The coating of the building is not only a sculptural space, but also a structure. The concept for the museum in the Middle Eastern sun is to generate a single instance.

The museum consists of two primary galleries and a number of alternative exhibition spaces and education. The upper gallery (500 sq m) enhances the abundance of natural light in Israel and the qualities that can lead to exposure of three-dimensional elements, while allowing flexibility for the curators to modulate the light levels. The smallest room (250 sq m) is higher internally but offers a more intimate relationship between the visitor and the exhibit.

All the tapes of surfaces are mixed and the galleries and public facilities fit comfortably, creating additional galleries. They are a key of visual guides to visitors into the building through it and out, the same will become a rope that ties the whole building with the outside. Amazing!

Ein Gedi is an oasis located on the Dead Sea coast and covering an area of 25 km². It’s the lowest point on earth, some 400 m. below sea level. It is one of the most important reserves in Israel. The botanical garden covers an area with more than 900 species of plants from all over the world. The National Park has two spring-fed streams with flowing water year, which together generate about 3,000,000 m³ of water a year.

The park is a sanctuary for many types of plant, bird and animal species. The many species of resident birds are supplemented by over 200 additional species during the migration periods in the spring and fall. The vegetation includes plants and trees from the tropical, desert, Mediterranean, and stepping regions, such as Sodom apple, acacia, jujube, and poplar.

Not so many cities in the world can be acting like Jerusalem. The city is cultural, political and spiritual crashing point since ages – the crossroads for the world’s three great monotheistic religions. But there you will also find the sophisticated Jerusalem far removed from the churches,  and synagogues. The local institutions such as the Israel Museum, the annual Israel Festival, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Bezalel Arts Academy have given the city an urban edge that serves as both an anchor and oasis.

The new edge is more stylish. From its westernmost entry point to the gates of the Old City, its bright downtown slick, design-driven, architecturally important new hotels, restaurants and cultural facilities are appearing across the city. Thanks to the new commers West Jerusalem, is now beginning to carve out its own identity as a tourist destination, and will offer some surprises to people who have long seen it as a sleepy alternative to Tel Aviv.

The Dead Sea Scrolls at the Shrine of the Book in the Israel Museum. The museum is capped by a 30-foot conical structure covered with pictures of 600 Holocaust victims, ranging from young girls to old men — an artistic representation of the 3.1 million names the museum has collected through testimonies and other sources.

The terrace at the Dan Boutique Hotel overlooks the Old City.

The Chords Bridge, designed by Santiago Calatrava.

Tel Aviv is a city of ”half Iran” and ”half California”; it’s something like a synagogue which meets a suchi bar. Tel Aviv has some of the cleanest and most easily accessible urban beaches in the world.

Tel Aviv is a home at the end of the world Celebrating its 100^th year in 2009, the capital has been getting more practice at being a host over years.

When you walking around Tel Aviv, the modernist feeling you get from is the largest collection of Bauhaus buildings. This is a country that on the one hand is so conservative, that they don’t have public transportation on Saturdays, but on the other hand is so open that they sent a transsexual to the Eurovision Song Contest.

Children cool off in a fountain in the Neve Tzedek neighborhood, a tranquil area of about a dozen tiny streets.

This is the old Arab port Jaffa!

The seaside neighborhood, where restaurants and child-friendly shops has given a South street Seaport kind of feel.