View to infinity: This house feels like absolute freedom

Where: Kibbutz Gonen

For: a couple in their 30s with 2 small children

Architecture and interior design: Inon Ben-David

Plot area: about 750 square meters

House area: about 200 square meters

Photo: Nimrod Levy

Welcome to the new home of a couple in their 30s and their two young children, located at the edge of Kibbutz Gonen's extension and as such it enjoys a breathtaking view of the valley and the mountains. The couple, who chose to leave the center in favor of the peace and quality of life that only the north can provide, turned to the planner Inon Ben-David who draws inspiration from his childhood landscapes in the Golan Heights - from the wild nature, the huge stones and the roaring waterfalls.

"The lot on which the house was built is located on the slope of the Golan Mountains, which flow into the Hula Valley, and as such it also enjoys a panoramic view of the Naftali Mountains visible in the distance. In view of these sights, it was natural and desirable to design a building with minimalistic and organic lines that would connect the wings and functions to views that can be seen from near and far. We made sure to work and combine natural materials Or have a natural look, and a neutral color palette, which maximizes the impact," says Ben-David. "In order for the house to connect in the best and most natural way to the slope, we designed a two-level terraced building and thus it harmoniously assimilates with the natural topography of the mountain. A staircase leads to the lower level, where the public functions are located, which connects the building to the settlement's access road. Only 3 steps The public area is separated from the private wing so that the feeling you get is of a continuous and continuous structure, with large openings that bring in plenty of air and natural light in a measured and controlled manner and, of course, the view."

In order to create as authentic a connection as possible between the building and the route of the area and the area, the homeowners chose to plan a minimalist garden rich in natural grass - one that is almost completely assimilated into the grove and its natural vegetation and gives a real focus to the views. A road of large paving stones leads those coming from the settlement's driveway to the entrance plaza of the house which Ben-David chose to cover with smoothed concrete and place on the southern facade so that it is not directly visible, but in steps. "One of the reasons for the specific location of the entrance hall is the desire to create a large, continuous showcase about 10 meters long, through which you can see the view in its entirety and from every angle," explains the designer. "Above it, as an integral part of the structure, we created a floating concrete pergola, the inside of which is covered with thermal oak bars that have undergone a smoking process using steam, so that they remain at their peak even in extreme climate conditions."

"In the connection between the built pergola and the supporting column on the southern facade, a steel construction (an element that returns, reappears and appears in different areas of the house) was incorporated for a dynamic wooden partition that can be left open and enjoy the view or alternatively closed, to create shading during the hot hours." The steel construction is also clearly seen in the additional pergolas that surround the house, shade the openings and connect the functions and blocks: "For example, the one above the front door," says Ben David. "Upon opening the door, which is made of black iron and corrugated glass, you will find a round oak table in the center in front of the dining area, and immediately after it a showcase that leads to an intimate northern balcony that is mainly used for morning coffee."

To the right of the front door, Ben David designed a wardrobe and oak coats for the family members, and it is clear that the rationale that guided him was to create a public space as open as possible, one that would allow interaction between family members and guests. For this reason, we chose to create between the dining area and the living room an airy partition that is a kind of conceptual separation between the functions and includes an open iron library for accessories and later a floating fireplace. Above the public level, you can clearly see the strips of the bare concrete ceiling that were already created during the casting stage, which we deliberately chose to point towards the large display case and the view." In natural, minimalist and quiet colors.

In the center of the kitchen space, right above the work surface, a large window was designed, which bathes the entire area in light and brings in the green colors of the nearby mountain slope. A high wall with pantry cabinets, the refrigerator and ovens, made of split oak facades, leaves the kitchen open and clean. "We covered the work surface with nano formica in a charcoal shade and we chose the bar stools in a sage shade," says Ben-David. "Similar to the dining area, above the island we also chose to hang straw lampshades that fit into the clean design concept and add another layer of natural appearance." 3 wide stairs lead to the private wing, and like the floor of the house they are covered with natural oak planks. Ben-David created for the young family a space that, despite being bright, open and spacious, manages to provide maximum privacy for them - between the parents and their children and between family members and guests. "The private area is airy and bright but at the same time remains very intimate because you can't see any doors at all from the public wing, the flow is very pleasant, and the rooms were designed in such a position that they are not exposed at all," he explains.

In the spacious corridor that leads to the bedrooms, an avenue of cupboards was planned for general storage, the fronts of which were painted with an oven in the color of the wall. From the second past we will discover an impressive and wide entrance to the family corner that was designed as a neutral and dynamic shell so that it can be adapted to the needs of the family that will surely change over the years. At the end of the space, a large window facing north was planned and under it a built-in bench that allows sitting and gazing at the courtyard and the view. Next, the parents' master was designed, which remains hidden from view thanks to the couple's intimate work corner that separates the bedroom from the hallway on the level: "It is not large, but it is very effective because, first and foremost, it creates a very correct transition to the master so that it is hidden from the eyes of those passing by in the corridor and, in addition, the large window above The desk opens up the space and creates the illusion of an almost infinite space," says Ben-David.

"The bedroom was also designed with an optimal scheme and although it is not large, the flow in it is very correct, with the axis of the wardrobes in front of the bed creating a kind of intimate entrance to the bathing area and the large window overlooking the garden is located next to the bed and not above it so that the energetic feeling in the space is air-conditioned and pleasant - a narrow window also contributes to this and A vertical designed in the axis connecting the entrance of the closets to the bathroom, which together with the large display case produces an excellent circulation of natural air." "The arrangement in the bathroom is also very convenient, with all the functions spread out on one wall, while on the opposite wall a vertical window was designed that penetrates the double shower and lets in a lot of light. For the floor and the power wall in the shower, we chose grayish terrazzo-like porcelain granite tiles, while the walls around the space are covered with plaster in a neutral and light shade ".

"The children's rooms were also designed with a minimalist line and as such, they will serve as a good platform for changes when they grow up."