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Telavivian Architects: Ori Scialom/Stability Studio “Tel Aviv is known as planners-hell” says architect Ori Scialom, founder and owner of Stability Studio in Tel Aviv and a former architect at Jean Nouvel’s atelier in Paris. Perhaps that’s the reason why, aside from the variety of projects he designs, Ori has been teaching and coordinating the second year studies of architecture at The Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem, and recently co-curated The Urburb – Israel’s pavilion at the 2014 Venice Biennale – praised as one of the top exhibitions in Rem Koolhaas’ Fundementals . GM: Stability Studio – when and why did you start your practice? OS: Stability Studio originated as a creative collaboration between Architects and civil engineers: The concept was to produce the envelope of a ‘one-stop-shop’ – maintain a better control of the design, a faster service, and reduce costs: paradise. it took about a year (back in 2009) to understand that it doesn’t work; the concept might be brilliant, but the reality is tough. I started a new office, but the name remained. Today, Stability focuses on architectural planning and is always looking for interesting collaborations, such as the recent Venice Biennale for Architecture. GM: Tell us about your office in Tel Aviv – what is the space like? what do you like about it most? OS: The space is wide and full of natural light, penetrating the studio by floor to ceiling windows and shaded from the outside by Brutalist asbestos Brise-Soleil from the 1960s. It was discovered by the architect Yehoshua Gutman, who somehow managed (following prolonged attempts) to persuade the owner to let him renovate the space in return for a cheap, long-term lease. The studio is divided into three parts, and is shared with two other architectural firms: Gutman-Assif and Alon Bin Nun ‘s studio. It is perfectly located between the center and the south of the city, on the rapidly-changing Yehuda Halevi street. I like the fact that I can easily use the bike to reach any direction of the city, lay on the couch in the evenings or even have a late drink at the bar in the basement; but, mostly, what I like about it, are the people whom I work with: I am lucky to work with an excellent and talented team. GM: What do you see as the biggest challenge about designing in Tel Aviv? OS: Tel Aviv is known as a “planners-hell”: it is over-regulated and extremely bureaucratic, so the first challenge is actually just receiving a permit. On the quality aspect, the biggest challenge would be to design simply and radically at the same time, while still fitting the diversified, local background. Beyond the veil of the ‘White City’, visual noise is everywhere. Every building is an independent design in full volume. The real challenge is to create a shift towards simplicity and performance. The local architecture will be exciting when it will seize the vibe of the city, and translate life to schemes and simple forms. Read the full interview with Ori, including photos of his Tel Aviv-based studio by Sarale Gur-Lavy READ MORE >> http://gilimerin.telavivian.com/2014/09/27/telavivian-architects-ori-scialom-stability-studio/

THE URBURB The Israeli Pavilion 2014 The exhibition, curated by Ori Shalom together with Roy Brand and Keren Yaela Golan, presented a summary of a century of modernist architecture in Israel. In the last hundred years, the Israeli space has been used and written down to the last detail in a recurring operation as a blank sheet, all over again every time. In the contemporary Israeli landscape, the familiar dichotomy of a city and a suburb was blurred for the URB URB – a new hybrid creation, neither a city nor a suburb, but an island constructed mosaic. This concept was displayed in the exhibition in a simple and straightforward way: four printers outlined images on desert sand and then erased them. The scale of images printed on the sand varies: city plans, neighborhoods, and residential buildings.

Menora 6-12 Residence and commerce 2024 Giv'atayim 70 units Licensing A commercial and residential project located in Giv'atayim city close to Heil HaAvir Garden. Contains about 70 new apartments. And it has a patio that serves as an inner courtyard.

Mini Israel Master Plan 2011-2016 Mateh Yehuda 10,550 sqm Approved Master Plan The plan enables the construction of a circular building in the extent of the existing compound today, in a space-defining way and enables shading to the paths. The program enables its uses to improve the tourist experience of the complex such as catering, conference halls and performances.

Frenkel 76 New Residential Building 2016 Tel Aviv 636 sqm Complete A new building in the Florentin neighbourhood. The design faced a limited and narrow lot, and the ability to maintain a residential structure that includes all the systems needed in such a space cell, while fitting the complex planning reality in Israel, which requires protected spaces and strict safety procedures. The project questions the possible limits in this framework, without losing qualities in the living spaces. photography: Tamir Rogowski

Jerusalem blvrd 94 Residence and commerce 2024 Tel Aviv 3,500 sqm Licensing Commercial and residential project. Located on the main road of Jerusalem blvrd in Jaffa near the light rail station. The building is split into 2 main volumes with apartments. The circulation system is open to the outside and brings light and air into the heart of the building.

Israelis 12 Addition to a Preservation Building 2021 Tel Aviv 1000 sqm Licensing A building for preservation in the area of the UNESCO Declaration in the center of Tel Aviv. The design includes addition of a roof floor and a basement floor.

Ibn Gabirol 153-155 Residence and commerce 2024 Tel Aviv 50 units Licensing A commercial and residential project located on the main road of Ibn Gabirol not far from the HaMedina square. Contains about 50 new apartments. And it has a patio that serves as an inner courtyard.

Shefer 10 Residential Building 2024 Tel Aviv 660 sqm Licensing A new residential building in the Binyamin Estate area. 5 apartments. On the ground floor the unit has an additional level in the basement with an English courtyard. Each apartment has a wide balcony at the front and another balcony at the back. In addition, there is a duplex on the top floor.

Gottlieb 9 New Building 2021 Tel Aviv 440 Sqm Completed A new residential building in the Old North in Tel Aviv. Has a simple look with a white facade, which fits into the street continuum. In addition, Each apartment has a wide open balcony that allows natural light in. The street line is accompanied by vegetation. photography: Tamir Rogowski