“Dojo” Shared working space
The Jerusalem Municipality asked us to plan a communal working space for designers on the 4th floor of the “Gerard Behar Center” municipal library.
Like any municipal project, it was not an easy journey. With many factors to consider, we faced many planning challenges, such as a program that was too big for the space, limited time, renovation in a working library (shhh...!) and pressure. A lot of pressure.
We successfully managed to fit the following into a space of about 220 square meters: a gallery with 30 square meters of display, a kitchen, a conference room, 5 modular offices that can adjust in size, a shared work space that can be converted into a lecture area, an enclosed aquarium for a light woodworking workshop, plus a technological workshop. Our design process was based on consideration for Jerusalem designers and their needs and guided by thorough research, including a survey completed by over 150 Jerusalem designers and drew inspiration from the design principles of old library shelves.
Client: ‘Eden’ Company and Jerusalem Municipality | Year: 2019 | Location: Jerusalem, Israel | In collaboration with: Nofar Cohen Dror
#architectualdesign #industrialdesign #architecture #publicspace
The old library shelves
The old library shelves were the inspiration driving the design concept. We chose to use this line to create all the walls and all the partition walls making the space well divided yet open and welcoming. The shelves are two sided, enabling interior and exterior use.
A space for everyone
One of the most essential factors of the project was to create a modular space offering a range facilities with different prices - varying from a “hot spot” table to a full office space, meeting spaces, exhibiting galleries, and workshop day passes.
A challenging program for a challenging project
We managed to fit the following into a space of about 220 square meters: a gallery with 30 square meters of display, a kitchen, a conference room, 5 modular offices whose sizes are adjustable, a shared work space that can be turned into a lecture space, an enclosed aquarium for a light woodworking workshop and a technological workshop. We did all this through deep thought, knowing the reality of Jerusalem designers and their needs, deep research and a questionnaire answered by more than 150 Jerusalem designers.
Modularity
The name of the game is flexibility. Knowing the space and designing accordingly in order to meet as many needs as possible without compromising the quality of the product.
Our solution was to create moving walls enabling the office spaces to change and vary by size according to ones need.
The aquarium
One of the main conclusions of the survey we did with the Jerusalemite designers revealed their need for workshop areas for woodworking, digital fabrication, and all kind of other workshop services. How do you facilitate a noisy workshop in a library? The “aquarium” was the answer. With double layer glass and an acoustic celling and floor, the aquarium became the workshop of the space.
