A Home that is the Perfect Canvas by Nitzan Horowitz
This home, located in Center District, Israel, was designed by Nitzan Horowitz with a thoroughly family-oriented approach tailored specifically to the needs of the owners and their three children. The structure totals approximately 350 sqm and reflects a calm environment. The designers created a balanced interior, emphasizing a light and minimalist canvas that serves as an optimal platform for future furnishings and accessories. Careful consideration was given to both indoor and outdoor spaces.
About A Home that is the Perfect Canvas
A Design That Balances Family-Centric Living With Elegant Aesthetics
The design of this home, located in the heart of one of the most sought-after communities in central Israel, was developed by Horovitz and Sela over more than three years. The owners are a real estate entrepreneur, his wife, and their three children (two teenagers and a younger son). “This is a home that was initially designed with a thoroughly family-oriented approach, tailored specifically to the needs of the five,” says Horovitz.
Structurally Proportional With Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Connection
“Even though it was eventually decided that the property would be rented out in the initial phase, this did not stop anyone involved from continuing to plan a refined and thoughtful home where every detail is deliberate.” The facades are relatively low, reaching only 4.5 meters (15 feet), maintaining a balanced scale between the built mass and its users. The result is modest and egoless. The carefully chosen materials and the seamless connection between the interior and the surrounding garden create a harmonious living space.
Crafting A Cohesive Environment Throughout The Design Process
“The approach was highly personalized at every stage, and the couple was involved in many decisions, with a sincere desire to create a high-standard, cozy, family-friendly home – one that would also appeal to potential renters,” explains Sela. “Though tailored for this specific family, the resulting composition suits the needs of many families with children seeking to rent in the area.”
Conscious Proportions And Balanced Volumes Create Intimacy
“We created a layout where the master suite, the younger son’s room, and the utility room are on the ground floor, separated from the public wing, which includes the kitchen, dining, and living areas. A family lounge and home office were planned in a separate zone. In the basement, there are two independent living units for the teenagers. While we usually avoid planning bedrooms in the basement, here it was possible due to English-style courtyards at ground level that ensure living quality equivalent to that of the main floor.”
Aluminum Louvers Add Aesthetic Balance To The Ground Floor Facade
“Since the house sits on a large plot, the front facade facing the street level was designed to be horizontal and expansive,” Horovitz explains. “We chose to set the building back from the lot line to create a large parking area and a gradual experience – from entering the garden all the way to the external foyer, from where natural light shines into the entire floor.”
Reflecting The Natural Surroundings Through Balance And Harmony
“Directly opposite the door, the internal patio opens to the sky, letting natural light flood the floor,” Horovitz continues. “It also reveals the entertaining courtyard and the swimming pool. The patio, located in the heart of the home, helps define the public spaces.” To maintain the longitudinal lines of the floor, the kitchen cabinetry continues into the living room. “The large open space, housing both functions, is connected through the custom carpentry, which creates a harmonious and visually pleasing continuity.” The effect is amplified by the materials and color palette.
Investing In Outdoor Spaces As Carefully As The Interior Design
Mature vegetation defines the outdoor areas. The designers also defined separate outdoor zones for cooking and entertaining. “We also designed a poolside pavilion that can function as a gym or family room when spending time outside,” the designer adds. Just like the interiors, the exteriors reflect a clean, thoughtful geometry.
Elevating An Empty Space Through Art And Light
Since the project is unfurnished, the empty interiors are photographed in a non-traditional way. “We wanted to create a series of images that conveys movement and atmosphere,” Horovitz explains. “So we turned the place into a kind of gallery. Though the house is empty of contents, this approach brought it to life.” The team collaborated with an art gallery that provided the artworks and a lighting company they borrowed accordion-like paper furniture from. “All of these added an essential human touch to the static shell,” he concludes.
Photography courtesy of Nitzan Horowitz
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