Netanya’s efficient new twisting tower will be powered by geothermal energy and transform this once-obscure Israeli city.
We have a real soft spot for earth architecture, such as Nader Khalili’s gorgeous domes and arches fit for space, and these amazing Syrian beehive-shaped buildings that have lasted hundreds of years, but we also acknowledge the great strides that contemporary Israeli architects have taken to realize modern buildings more sustainable than their antecedents. In addition to the LEED Platinum-hopeful Porter School of Environmental Studies at Tel Aviv University, Netanya’s new City Hall is one of them. By giving this twisting tower a light frame with a mashrabiya-type screen, Yaniv Pardo has considerably reduced the required building materials and energy footprint. More pictures and sketches of this proposed structure below.
The new Netanya City Hall aims to be an iconic structure that will put this relatively obscure Israeli city north of Tel Aviv firmly on the map. It is comprised of three prisms facing different directions, which gives it the sensation of “twisting.”
The tower is covered in greenery, which acts as a carbon sponge as well as providing the building with a little extra aesthetics. It is flooded with natural light but maintains energy efficiency thanks to Arab-styled mashrabiyas that provide shading and protection against solar gain.
The Netanya City Hall will get some of its power from geothermal sources and will provide a gathering space for the community in addition to its municipal services. This will be a mixed-use development complete with cultural, commerce, leisure and retail services.
Modeled after a weather vane, this striking building will be dynamic, efficient, and vibrant and hopefully transform this once unknown city along the Mediterranean Sea!
April 2, 2012 update: Karin Kloosterman from Green Prophet contacted the firm and they did not win the contract to develop the geothermal tower for the City Hall, but they say they will keep trying to develop green architecture in Israel.
::Yaniv Pardo Architects
More green architecture from Israel:
Construction of Israel’s First LEED Platinum Building by Geotectura Begins
Breathtaking Jaffa Flat by Pitsou Kedem
Shopping Malls go Green in Israel
Author: Tafline Laylin
As a tour leader who led “eco-friendly” camping trips throughout North America, Tafline soon realized that she was instead leaving behind a trail of gas fumes, plastic bottles and Pringles. In fact, wherever she traveled – whether it was Viet Nam or South Africa or England – it became clear how inefficiently the mandate to re-think our consumer culture is reaching the general public. Born in Iran, raised in South Africa and the United States, she currently splits her time between Africa and the Middle East. Tafline can be reached at tafline (at) greenprophet (dot) com.
Looking at the illustrations that Tafline posted, I can see where it could be positioned between the regional court house and the Heichal Hatarbut cultural center. I still wonder if that is the right location for it. The Kiryat Sharon area has more space, and the Netanya Academic College, which one day may be a university,looks like it doesn’t plan to move from its present location (also in Kiryat Sharon) any time soon.
In any event, I don’t see that kind of building going up in Netanya any time soon. Probably talking about a time frame of at least 20 years from now.
I wonder how the trees will adapt while trying to orient to the sun.
Maurice – The location will be at the culture center (heichal hatarbut) current parking lot.
The space you’re talking about is designated for a university.
Living in Netanya, I will be truly amazed if something like this is built there. I wonder if the location is the large open area in Kiryat Sharon where the Municipality plans to one day make a large park.