This building is the most recent one in a series of five “Cube Buildings”. The first one, Z-Design building in Holon, Israel, has been widely published as a breakthrough in mid-market residential architecture. Z-5 Design building, completed recently, takes even a further step in sharpening the “Villa in the Air” concept.

We aim to present here another alternative typology as opposed to the too common “apartment block”, so typical of contemporary residential architecture. The plan is basically simple, comprised of four 4-5 room apartments per floor, but there is no “typical floor”. By rotating some of the 33 units and subtracting others in certain floors, we break the uniform block. A three-dimensional composition is achieved, especially while looking from below (“sixth façade”).

Thus, while all apartments are “planted” around the building core, each is almost disconnected from its neighbors. As a by-product of this composition, various private roof terraces are created, some are small -15 sqm in size, and some large – up to 100 sqm. The structure is cast in place concrete envelope with no columns inside the units. Exterior walls are cladded with dry mounted off-white granite slabs. Living rooms and some adjacent bedrooms are enclosed by aluminum and glass curtain walls, enhancing the contrast between transparency and opaqueness.

Design Team: : Ami Shinar, Partner in Charge; Barak Levy, Yahav Lederer

Photos: Omri Amsalem

See more: Archdaily, Nov. 7, 2020