From penthouse to stunning duplex in five months in Modiin

Location: ModiinFor: A family of five - a couple in their 40s, two teenagers, and a five-year-oldOriginal Size: 110 sq. meters, expanded to 190 sq. metersInterior Design: Liad YosefPhotography: Elad Gonen

Like most families, this one from Modiin experienced changing dynamics and evolving needs, prompting them to upgrade their penthouse to better suit their growing children and enhance their overall living quality. They enlisted interior designer Liad Yosef to help them significantly expand their cherished penthouse.

To accommodate these new needs, the parents consulted with interior designer Liad Yosef, who shares the process: "Given the requirement to create space for additional functions, we immediately considered the possibility of building rights. We discovered that we could apply for a permit to add a floor on the roof of the building. After planning and obtaining approvals, we proceeded with the execution. The apartment, initially a 110-square-meter single-level unit, was transformed into a 190-square-meter duplex with an additional 30-square-meter balcony. The construction phase was relatively quick, taking about five months, thanks to the choice of lightweight construction technology, which made the process highly effective. Throughout, we adhered to a consistent material and color palette applied in various forms and intensities across the apartment. This unified concept is what, in my opinion, makes it unique."

"On the entrance floor, the living room and kitchen remained largely in their original locations. However, the layout of the other spaces underwent a complete transformation: now, with the two teenagers having their own floor, the youngest daughter received her own little kingdom. One of the children's rooms was integrated into the significantly enlarged master suite, which now includes a bedroom, a large walk-in closet, a bright bathroom, and a private balcony. The secure room on this floor was converted into a family workspace, and the overall design of all functional spaces and areas is minimalist and ultra-modern, featuring many hidden storage spaces."

"Upon opening the front door, one is greeted by a spacious entrance hall, clad in light concrete-gray carpentry, concealing communication and electrical cabinets, flush doors leading to the bedrooms and bathrooms, plenty of storage cabinets for linens, shoes, and cleaning supplies, and a large mirror recessed into the carpentry."

"Next, one encounters the new staircase leading to the upper floor, which serves as a sculptural focal point. We wanted to give it a light and youthful appearance, so we worked with a steel skeleton fixed to the walls, with thin metal cables serving as the railing. The treads are also thin, made of natural wood panels cut at various angles. The staircase, resembling an origami work from different angles, blends seamlessly with the refined atmosphere of the apartment, with its surrounding walls clad in exposed concrete—a material that recurs throughout various areas of the home."

"Further on is the public space, including a very large parallel kitchen and a cozy, intimate living room. The family eats most of their meals around the island, while a formal dining area awaits them and their guests on the large sun terrace. 'We clad the kitchen fronts in durable gray nano-laminate, choosing black stone for the surfaces. In the center of the high units, we created a niche for the sink and stovetop, leaving the parallel low front completely clean. It measures about 4.2 meters long, has plenty of storage, and also serves as a dining counter for everyday meals. Above it floats a minimalist light fixture that aligns with the overall design language.'"

"The clean living room includes a seating system composed of a comfortable sofa and two plush armchairs. Opposite them is a TV wall with carpentry that integrates into the space and maintains the design's tranquility. This unit consists of a media console made of walnut veneer, while the storage unit above it was painted in a matte finish."

"The youngest daughter's bedroom is particularly large, with an adjacent bathroom serving both her and as a guest restroom. This bathroom, too, is designed in a modern style, focusing on monochromatic colors and industrial materials, far from childish and providing a wonderful environment to grow in."

"The couple's master bedroom spans approximately 30 square meters. We clad the floor with chevron-patterned wood parquet and the walls with exposed concrete. Upon entering this section, one finds the bedroom centered around a bed with a black slatted wood headboard. The large walk-in closet was meticulously designed with the mother—an organized woman who values having a designated place for every detail and item. Alongside the graphite-gray fronts, we incorporated open and lit glass units where the back of the carpentry is clad in walnut veneer."

"We clad the bathroom in minimalist terrazzo tiles and chose dark-colored sanitary and carpentry elements. The result is clean, almost monastic, yet pleasant and indulgent. Every detail was considered—from the heated floor to the de-fogging mirror and waterproof speakers embedded in the ceiling."

"On the upper floor, the teenagers' floor, we designed a family corner also characterized by the concrete look, with restrained color introduced through accessories and furniture. We created a sophisticated lighting system in this area, with straight lines at 90-degree angles, and each child has their own well-designed suite with access to a balcony that surrounds the floor. These three children are serious, mature, and responsible, so I wasn't afraid to design rooms for them that align with the color scheme and materials that lead the apartment's overall design concept."