chyutin architects realizes cliff-side student center in israel

chyutin architects realizes cliff-side student center in israel
all images © amit giron

projecting from mount carmel, high above the mediterranean city of haifa, israel, is the ‘haifa university student center’. completed by chyutin architects, the 6,200m² structure was built to accommodate both administrative offices and student facilities. in order to do so, and to maintain a strict functional clarity, the team split functions into two main wings. one houses the multiple offices of the dean of students. the building is a two story, rectangular prism that sits perpendicular to typography — jutting out into the vista. its roof acts as an extension of the scenic road that ends at its doorstep, and leads to a panoramic observation at the other end. 

aerial 

the student union’s wing, though physically larger than the other, plays a much smaller visual role. standing four stories tall at its peak, the facility runs parallel to the landscape, with wide endless windows that face out over the landscape. offices needed by groups are located on the upper floors, with study and commons areas on the lower. above, the garden filled roofs act as terraces, where pupils can enjoy the vast locale. 

terraces 

chosen materials express the visual differences between the separate areas. the floating dean’s wing is clad in metal, with terrace walls made of raw concrete. all rooftop areas are paved with wooden decking, and extend beyond the plan to bring the composition into a comprehensive whole. 

student union facilities 

dean’s offices wing

administrative offices 

entrance

terrace deck

roof plan

floor plan

sections

aerial looking down into the valley 

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edited by: nick brink | designboom