The Rabbithole Apartment / Havkin Architects

The Rabbithole Apartment / Havkin Architects - Interior Photography, Living Room, Sofa, WindowsThe Rabbithole Apartment / Havkin Architects - Interior Photography, BathroomThe Rabbithole Apartment / Havkin Architects - Interior Photography, Bedroom, Windows, BedThe Rabbithole Apartment / Havkin Architects - Interior Photography, Table, ChairThe Rabbithole Apartment / Havkin Architects - More Images+ 32

Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
  • Architects: Havkin Architects
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  70
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2017
  • Photographs
    Photographs:Shai Epstein
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Cappellini, Ingo Maurer
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The Rabbithole Apartment / Havkin Architects - Interior Photography, Living Room, Sofa, Windows
© Shai Epstein

A small Bauhaus rooftop apartment in the heart of Tel Aviv has become a weekend getaway. This 70sq.m apartment in the city center is situated in an old Bauhaus building. When we began the process, its original layout seemed like a patchwork of rooms. It consisted of a small entrance hall with few doors leading to separate spaces. Each function had its own room, with the main ones leading to further spaces.

The Rabbithole Apartment / Havkin Architects - Interior Photography, Living Room, Sofa, Table, Windows, Chair
© Shai Epstein
The Rabbithole Apartment / Havkin Architects - Image 36 of 37
New Plan
The Rabbithole Apartment / Havkin Architects - Interior Photography, Windows, Countertop, Kitchen, Sink
© Shai Epstein

The clients purchased this apartment to serve as a vacation home. Their main request was, that it will resemble the same atmosphere of freedom that they enjoyed so much on their long journey in the Far East. Therefore, the first stage of the renovation process was to tear down all those walls and obstacles, in order for the space to express that atmosphere and feel open and airy. Now, there are no clear borders between functionalities: spaces develop from one to the next, without separation walls.

The Rabbithole Apartment / Havkin Architects - Interior Photography
© Shai Epstein

The entrance to the apartment is through a dark wardrobe that is hanging on an external wall. A lofty space connects to a balcony that overlooks the Mediterranean Sea and the roofs of Tel Aviv. White brick walls and purple vintage terrazzo works connect with the history of this UNESCO World Cultural Heritage building. An exposed shower that is in the heart of the space, is another expression of freedom so much desired by the clients. An extended purple counter holds both the sink where they brush their teeth, as well as everything required for the preparation of a light meal. Whereas the dining area is the most intimate, the most secret is the toilet. A panel in the wall brings you to another world: a forest, full of birds. It happened when you were not looking for it.

The Rabbithole Apartment / Havkin Architects - Interior Photography, Bathroom, Sink, Windows
© Shai Epstein

 Inspiration for this home-away-from-home was drawn from CS Lewis' story "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe". A key line in the book says: “But don't go trying the same route twice. Indeed, don't try to get there at all. It will happen when you are not looking for it ”. The entrance door is a cabinet, the kitchen is a bathroom, the living room is a bedroom, a cabinet is a toilet. It is never just what it seems like.

The Rabbithole Apartment / Havkin Architects - Interior Photography, Table, Chair
© Shai Epstein

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Project location

Address:Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel

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Cite: "The Rabbithole Apartment / Havkin Architects" 27 Jan 2020. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/932626/the-rabbithole-apartment-havkin-architects> ISSN 0719-8884

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