Mediation center is my third semester project

It is a reclusive building, situated at a corner of two streets in Tel-Aviv, Israel. I wanted the inner ‘world’ to be separated from the upper one but give hints of it being there. At first my scheme was rather open to the public (I might post this later on); I revised my way of thinking about what needs to be done to serve the buildings purpose, first step was to make it a more closed, and create a ‘gradient of path’ into it.

The main purpose and function of this building is to provide the venue for groups and individuals to practice all forms of meditation and make a small collection of literature on related subject available for the users as well as a study space.

The upper level of the project is in the same level as the street and can accommodate pedestrians… while they walk along the top side the can see in places what's going on below.

In the following pages I'll present the project drawings and views…

First, here is the site from above

Upper level plan (dotted lines represent the glass canopy)

Lower level (main level)

Short section

Long section

Long elevation

Birds eye view of site

View 01

View 02

View 03

View 04

View 05

View 06 - On the way down

Well, we've all told you the project is great as well as the images.
Now I wonder how did you do that grass. Is it some kind of 3ds plugin? I love the way it looks without material.

Well, we've all told you the project is great as well as the images.
Now I wonder how did you do that grass. Is it some kind of 3ds plugin? I love the way it looks without material.

Hi Hi Hi... i intended for it to look like raked gravel, but it did come out more like grass. i just used displacment for this. new renders using maxwellrender are in the works (i refresh all my work this days) so updates will be posted soon

I thought it could be gravel since it looks like a japanese rock garden. It looks cooler this way though.

It would be nice to comment on the design itself again (seeing we are building this up from scratch).

Here is a quick question... being a meditation centre in the heart of Tel Aviv, how relavent is the use of a Japanese Zen rock garden as that originally ties in very much with the Japanese Zen Buddhism and the Japanese way of seeing, very much in the Japanese light (it's a misty country) whereas you are now talking about Israel and the Medditeranean culture and context in a Jewish country.

Aren't there more appropriate inspiration to draw upon from the Kabbalah or even the contemporary Judaism?

It is true it is situated in Israel, far away from the origins of the basic concept of this design. But Tel-Aviv has a majority of secular people, and Zen/Buddhism has many followers in here too, not to mention the large community of foreign workers from the Far East. So in that respect it has it's place here and when thinking about the design of this building all those issues came up.

It is true however I didn't explore the option of Jewish origins for the initial concept of the building.

I Guess I wanted to offer a solution to all of us who are not so devoted to the Jewish religious customs.

I Guess I wanted to offer a solution to all of us who are not so devoted to the Jewish religious customs.

yes, i can see that in the world today a meditation centre that is not solely devoted to 1 religion would be idea... however... what sets THIS meditation apart from all the other 'generic' ones around? maybe it does draw on something from the origin of where this is sited... maybe even draw on an even longer history in an abstract way without blatantly doing it. what about the potential to comment on the 2 major religions and even a 'reconcilliation by architecture'?

Ronen


This is a mature design, built up of a sparse and expresive tectonic pallete: exposed, concrete, whitewashed or plastered walls, wood, gravel. Long horizontals, controlled cenital lighting, even wall washing. seamless glazing are all elements we seem to associate with stillness, a general objective of any contemplative behavior. The color accents in your images are truly beautiful, and beauty is as associated with silence as it is to awe.

I find your work one of strength and restraint. So very good, and so very rare.

My only concern is with your choice of furniture, the tables seem to be an invitation to share with others, something the entire space argues against. A haphazard or aleatory seating disposition would perhaps have been more appropiate, or perhaps a peripheral counterlike surface against the glazing or set off it .

Just relishing in the opportunity of sharing and commenting such a commendable project.

My congratulations

Saludos

Juan

My only concern is with your choice of furniture, the tables seem to be an invitation to share with others, something the entire space argues against. A haphazard or aleatory seating disposition would perhaps have been more appropiate, or perhaps a peripheral counterlike surface against the glazing or set off it .

I don't agree. To me, the atmosphere created is that of a reading room in a monestary, which is certainly a space of concentration and contemplation. A free distribution of furniture would disrupt the sobriety.

I was very impressed the first time I saw this on the old Push Pull Bar. Your presentation style is what really drew me in. I love the color choices/scheme; b/w and yellow/orange. The bold contrast is very easy to read.

I don't agree. To me, the atmosphere created is that of reading room in a monestary, which is certainly a space of concentration and contemplation. A free distribution of furniture would disrupt the sobriety.

sigue

I stand corrected

Saludos

Juan

awesome.

WHere did you get those trees?

You said this was a 3rd year project. Was this a masters program or just a bachelors? Either way this is great work, if it was bachelors I'm very impressed by this. Nothing at our university reaches such complexity or sophisitcation by third year. And very very few reach this level by their 5th year thesis.

It looks like this was a project that I missed on PP1. Now that I've stated the obvious.....great job. What renderer did you use and where did you get or how did you make the trees?

Thanks

hey Bakbek, I highly admire your work!

I do find that this space appeals to all religions, or even places meditation above the particularities of individual religions.

One coment only wich doesnt afect my good judgment of the project:
the reference to a "Japanese garden" looks out of context, (although I agree it goes well with minimalism) I am shure there is a much local reference for meditation, after all this is located in the city were 3 of the worlds main religions originated!

This concrete texture is great, and the orange trees wonderfull.. I hadn't realized this is a third year exercise, thought it was a definite project!

very strong project!! :not worth the images and presentation you have provided here are outstanding and seemingly beyond your years... i have just been going back through my work from my third year (15 years ago - no computers... ach!) and i have to say it pales is comparison (and i consider myself to be a pretty good designer these days - arguably i've come a long way.) again congrats!!! glad to be back on PPB!

Very nice work once again mate. Just a comment on the 5 view render, the rock seems to be lacking something, everything else looks perfect but for some reason it stands out. Maybe the lighting?

Hi Bakbek,
I am an architecture student and your renderings look great, was wondering what program you used? I am about to do a computer model and am tossing up between programs (sketch up form z or 3dsmax?). Thanks

Beautiful work. The images and the projetc are very goods.

WoW!

That's all I can grab together now. WOW! Those are excellent renders. Though the teachers at my school always downplay the importance of renders, stating that the actual architecture played a larger role in determining if a project was good/bad, this is just GREAT.

Being a Vue Espirit 5 user, these images beat mine hands down! I'm not sure how much time you spent on these images though. Also, the plans are clearly marked out and high contrast.

Perhaps you could tell us what softwares were used in the process? I'm guessing Sketchup 5, MaxWell Render, Photoshop. heh

the project looks great and your perspective renderings really give one the sense of visiting/experiencing your design! I dont mean to be rude but I was wondering where you got the rough stone texture for the walls. That level of detail really makes the space believeable.

I think that the zen rock garden combined with the simple design does make the building more believeable as being all-inclusive rather than catering to a particular religion. I think those gardens are recognized more as a symbol of serenity and introspection rather than relating it to Japanese Buddhism although that link should definately be taken into consideration.

nice :) i like the way you worked it out

I really love it... love it, love it....

no other words..

only + + + + + + + and not even a -.

really inspirational and very good work and denotes lot's of maturity and serenety... Real meditation :not worth

WOW!!!

your project is really great!!! i love it!!! your design, all of it!! the images are perfect!!

sorry, but what render did you use?? i guess modeled in skecthup and then what??? i am student too, and i really have to improve my knowledge to make projects like yours!! hehehe...

congrats!!

really a good job!
i like you space design! the garden and the interior is continuum.
it make me think about a famous japanese temple－longan temple.

perefect!!

Would you guys please be more intelligent in your comments?

Alexyou, there is no such thing as 'perefect' in design.

please learn from critiques by people like Richard, Cacapis, etc.

This is a forum for discourse. Not 'likes' and 'dislikes'.

Please read THIS (http://www.pushpullbar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4339) thread

LOL I had to comment this again...
I love th way you built this proeject.. the way you projected it on your mind, and the put it on paper..

love the colors, love the poetry in it...

I never get tired of looking at this :D

I keep coming back to this; your presentation is Very good.

Those are some excellent renders! 3DS?

The main purpose and function of this building is to provide the venue for groups and individuals to practice all forms of meditation and make a small collection of literature on related subject available for the users as well as a study space.

I agree on the excellent rendering technic and just want to say something about the program-result aspect:
since it is not a one-form-meditation but "all forms of meditation" centre, you announce something universal!
Personally I think using a known space typology - here sort of Zen garden to express "tranquillity" may not be enough universal. Your natural light control is good and the material used is quite neutral. I think the project, already good in terms of effect, may turn out more adapted to your original purpose if it were more "neutral and universal":)

Looking at the plans, there is no spatial arrangement which would encourage gradual transition from the world 'outside' the compound leading to the 'inner' space. This gradual transition is essential for the success of the space given the context that the building is located in an urban setting, -with all its chaotic nature, as opposed to the goal of meditation itself in the first place-

Some of the nicest renders I have ever seen, I have been experimenting with the texturing and bump mapping of concrete for a few weeks now and I keep coming back to this for inspiration :)