Transparency and privacy: This design dilemma can be solved

• Design: Nitzan Horovitz
• Photography: Oded Smadar

"A returning client who became a friend." That's how interior designer Nitzan Horovitz began describing the office he designed for a client who is now also a friend. "Nine years ago, I designed his family home. Now, as he decided to purchase an office in one of the luxury towers in central Israel, I was called back for the job," Horovitz said.

According to Horovitz, "The client gave me complete creative freedom. He explained the nature of the business, the client interactions, and the workflow, and that’s how we got started."

The office provides boutique and unique financial solutions and has two partners. "The idea was to create maximum transparency in the spaces while preserving the privacy of employees and clients—a paradox, at first glance. The layout was therefore unusual; the chairs were positioned before the walls. This allowed me to assess each employee’s perspective, what they see, who can see them, their prominence, and exposure to natural light and the powerful urban view."

Horovitz continued, "To address the transparency, I used rounded walls and arches, creating a playful, interconnected design in the space, providing the necessary transparency. The walls were coated with a white Arava plaster, which, combined with sunlight, adds warmth and a welcoming ambiance to the space."

The entrance area, referred to by Horovitz as the icebreaker zone, features a reception bar where interactions take place either standing or semi-seated. It’s decidedly informal and designed to facilitate initial interactions before formal meetings in the conference room. "This is clearly not a waiting area," Horovitz insists, "but rather a place to break the ice, offering visitors a relaxed feeling."

Spanning 140 square meters, the office includes a conference room and individual offices for the partners. Notably, the space has no sharp corners; instead, rounded elements flow seamlessly, with lighting fixtures complementing the curves. It’s a style-free design with minimalistic materials: veneer running throughout the space, an encircling beam, and various shades of gray. The office's monochromatic theme emphasizes the view and natural light, which appear effortlessly throughout the room; each wall has continuous glass, providing complete privacy despite the transparency.

The design is clean and unpretentious yet exudes luxury. It’s both warm and inviting, with smart systems for lighting, audio, and power that are discreetly concealed. "To me, this office feels like a home in every sense: it’s cozy and comfortable, with warm touches thanks to the use of wood, carpets, curtains, abundant textiles that add richness, and art that plays an important role in the space," Horovitz remarked.

The owner's room was designed as a mini-lounge, as meetings there are informal. It continues the icebreaker theme of the entrance area and includes a private outdoor balcony. In the conference room, a versatile wall incorporates a TV screen, with smart systems hidden behind it.