The Israeli firm Lothan Architects has shared with ArchDaily their design for a visitor’s center in the Khula valley, north of Israel in collaboration with Arc. Yinnon Lehrer. Their sweeping design seeks to create a constant communication between the visitor and the surrounding nature reserve. More images and a brief description after the jump.
Agamon Hakhula, a man made lake in the Khula valley in the north of Israel, is one the most highly regarded bird watching sites in the world. This Geographically unique nature reserve, is also home to many species of animals and plants. As the number of annual visitors rises incrementally, the site operators decided they need a new visitors center. The competition brief asked for a 1200 sq. meter, multi-use building, that could be expanded to 3000 sq. meters.
Our project sees the visitors center as a “Panoramic Terminal” that will be flexible enough to accommodate varying amounts of visitors in all weather conditions. The visitors center must also be financially self-sufficient, environmentally sustainable, and above all complete and enhance the visitors’ experience in the Khula reserve.
We achieved this by folding the typical terminal typology, thus creating multiple circulatory options through the open space displays and enclosed spaces specified in the competition brief. However, we recognized the fact that this building can only enhance the visitor experience and can by no means surpass the nature reserve and become the main attraction. Therefore the Panoramic Terminal typology offers visitors a constant visual connection with the surrounding vista.
Architects: Lothan Architects & Arc. Yinnon Lehrer Location: Hakhula Valley, Israel Owner: Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael – Jewish National Found Project Area: 1200 sqm Site Area: 10,000 sqm
