1960년대 모던건축을 대표하는 마스터피스. Mivtachim Sanitarium를 만나다.
건축공간의 순수함과 주변환경의 완벽한 이해와 만남을 통해
리조트는 노출콘크리트의 그 특유의 감성으로 건축적 조형성을
완성하게 된다. 총 7,750m2 면적에 두개의 섹션으로 구분된 공간은
지중해 파노라마 뷰를 감상하는 전면의 객실부와
공용, 서비스 지역 그리고 주 출입구가 위치한 후면부로 구성된다.
특히 리조트의 건축적 캐릭터를 극명하게 드러내는 전면부의 객실은
경사지의 등고를 적나라하게 반영된 결과물로 복층형 모듈유닛을
연속된 픽셀볼륨으로 표현함으로써 자연의 건축화, 건축의 사실화를
표현한다.
자연은 건축을 통해 픽셀화 된다.
reviewed by SJ
The Mivtachim sanitarium in Zichron Ya’akov is a brutalist masterpiece set on the forested slopes of Mount Carmel, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The simple yet complex design of the serpentine-shaped modular structure makes it appear to be “crowning” the mountain.
The building was designed by the Israeli architect Jacob Rechter
in 1968 and immediately gained world-wide recognition, appearing in
numerous international magazines and earning Rechter the prestigious Israel
Award for architecture in 1973. Along with other brutalist icons, the
Mivtachim Sanitarium was an idealistic, utopian structure, encapsulating
the socialist ideas prevalent in 1960′s Israel.
Architects: Jacob Rechter
Location: Hapisga, Zikhron Ya’akov, Israel
Area: 7750.0 sqm
Year: 1968
Photographs: Courtesy of Architect Amnon Rechter
The 7,750 square meter structure was constructed of exposed concrete and
contained two major sections: the guest rooms to the front, sharing the
panoramic vista of the Mediterranean Sea, and the service and entrance
hall in the back, which lead to the town of Zichron Ya’akov. The
identical guest rooms were designed as humble, modular units multiplied
in a wave-like form that followed the mountain’s curves. By raising the
units upon large pilotis above the rocky mountain terrain, Rechter was
able to achieve a “floating” affect, an aspect which was praised by the
jury of the Israel Award in 1973: “The building provides a rare example
of an architecture that synthesizes the earth and sky.”
Born in Israel, Jacob Rechter was the son of Ze’ev Rechter, one of the
three founding fathers of Israeli architecture. Like many in the second
generation of Israelis (known as “Sabras”), Jacob Rechter welcomed the
radical style predominant in contemporary architecture at the time –
from the white stucco of the international style (a movement associated
with the diaspora) to the coarse, exposed concrete of brutalism. The use
of this cheap construction method not only aligned Rechter with the
international zeitgeist, but also expressed the local Israeli flavor. As
architect Zvi Efrat states of the common use of concrete in Israel:
“[it] is certainly not local, but it’s authentic in every sense.”
The Mivtachim sanitarium, owned by the Mivtachim Pension Fund, was the
flagship of the “Histadrut” – the Israeli labour organization – and was
meant to host periodical retreats where guests would rest, feast, and
regain their energy. With the descent of the labour party, and the
sanatorium’s small rooms falling out of favor, the center was shut in
2004. In 2005, the Israeli philanthropist, Lili Elstein purchased the
property and began converting it into a luxury hotel, adding five floors
and demolishing major parts of the original structure; the renovation
not only contradicted the building’s modest, modernist appearance, but
also the socialist ideals inherent in the original sparse design.
Thankfully, a prolonged public debate caused Elstein to change her mind, and in 2010 the plan was replaced by a new modest renovation by Amnon Rechter, son of Jacob Rechter, along with the architect Rani Ziss. The new plan for a small boutique hotel contains 80 rooms, two renovated concert halls and an art gallery. Under young Rechter’s supervision, the exterior facade will be preserved, and all original wood work refurbished. Furthermore, every two rooms will be merged into one in order to create larger, luxurious rooms. Amnon Rechter claims: “We are [...] fixing everything according to the original plans. Upon its completion, visitors of the property will view it as it was when my father completed it.”
from archdaily