UL. House

Jerusalem, completed 1999

 

The UL House contains two apartments in a restored and enlarged traditional stone house. In order to mitigate the expansion's additional height, two stone wall were added which effect a sort of "urban archeology": entering the house reveals, built-layer by layer, connection between the historic Jerusalem and its modern cultural references.

The elevation to the main street includes several integrated elements: a new stone wall, an access bridge/stairs of wood and steel, steel pergola, and a new roof and projecting dormers. Within the screen walls, balconies of at every level share in a special, semi-private character. 

The rear elevation opens onto a garden to the south and towards a small street beyond. The material composition of Jerusalem stone, exposed architectural concrete, and painted metal elements -- as well as the intensive planting! -- is at once simple and rich.