Studio Amit designs elderly housing with "sense of vitality" in Israel

Tel Aviv's Studio Amit has opted for colourful details to add flair to this retirement housing development in Israel.

Studio Amit designed the project for Maccabi Healthcare Services' chain of private, upscale retirement complexes around the country, called Bayit Balev.

Israel has national health insurance but requires membership to one of four organisations, either Maccabi, Clalit, Meuhedet and Leumit.

The local studio was tasked to design the public interior spaces of Bayit Balev's latest outpost in the city of Petah Tikva, also known as Em HaMoshavot, which is about a 30-minute drive east of Tel Aviv.

The five-storey complex was built by Tel Aviv practice Canaan Shenhav Architects and includes 211 units.

Studio Amit designed a host of areas like the lobby, dining room, swimming pool, gym and a synagogue.

"The challenge was to design a retirement home that does not look 'elderly' but rather create spaces with a contemporary modern feel, yet at the same time are warm and indulging," studio co-founder Gali Amit told Dezeen.

"Our design approach was to give the retiree population a homey feeling, as well as an exclusively modern, updated environment."

To soften Bayit Balev's stark grey marble floors and bare white walls, the studio added wood-clad feature walls and oak counters and cabinets.

Almost all of the furniture is by Moroso. On the ground floor is the Italian brand's Redondo chairs and sofas in metallic salmon, sage and grey fabrics, while a basement has pink and red seating.

"The challenge was to create a sense of brilliance and newness in an elegant way," Amit added. "Thus the choice of fabrics for the Moroso sofas was high-quality velvet with special stitching that sparkle as the lighting change."

A central column in the lobby is painted pink and green and conceals stairs that connect the communal areas on the three levels.

Studio Amit, which Amit runs with her partner Yoav, also used a similar pink-and-green palette in Tel Aviv's Bana cafe.

"It was essential to convey a sense of vitality, 'alive and kicking', hence the bold choice of colour," Amit added.

Other colourful details are cobalt blue walls in the gym, and bright purple carpet and seats in the movie theatre.

Decor includes a geometric Visioni rug by Spanish designer by Patricia Urquiola, globe light fixtures by local company Kamchi and floor lamps by Barcelona lighting brand Vibia.

A dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows has grey Gubi chairs, and a synagogue has a cut-out wall design with a geometric motif of the Star of David.

Rounding out Studio Amit's Bayit Balev are treatment rooms, classrooms, and all-day health care and security.

Staff rooms and offices are located in the mezzanine above the ground floor.

Other retirement houses around the world are a Montreal high-rise by ACDF, a brick building with pink concrete interiors by Dominique Coulon, and a low-slung concrete construction by Guillem Carrera in Spain.

Photography is by Amit Geron.

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