raz melamed’s SQ5 penthouse pool overlooks the bustling tel aviv cityscape

raz melamed completes sq5 penthouse 

Israeli architect Raz Melamed designs this stylish SQ5 penthouse that overlooks the bustling city of Tel Aviv, Israel. Housing a family of five and their dog, the rooftop residence holds a pool, a large outdoor kitchen, a living area, and a jacuzzi for a quiet and relaxing family accommodation. The turquoise pool and the flora fluttering in the urban spirit transform this penthouse into a serene corner looking out onto a gray urban landscape. As is characteristic of Raz Melamed’s distinct architectural style, in the SQ5 penthouse a clean line of perception, emphasized by the spatial design, materiality and furniture is prominent, appearing throughout the home and attributing a tranquil and relaxed homely atmosphere.

A strong, unified design language, characterised by monochrome furniture, rugs that add warmth and coziness to the rooms, beds slightly elevated above the floor, and white carpentry shelves with colourful accessories, maximise the internal space throughout the SQ5 penthouse. Alongside this consistency and balance, the careful planning of the home creates a perfect continuity between the spaces thanks to a connecting thread in architecture, materials, and design elements that bring the design together and create a harmonious living space.

Raz Melamed’s SQ5 penthouse pool in Tel Aviv, Israel

all images courtesy of Amit Geron

a monochrome modern interior

Architect Raz Melamed entered the project when the building was still under construction. To optimise the design, structural changes were made to the columns and walls, including the unique aluminium design and the preparation of its infrastructure. The key design challenge of the SQ5 penthouse arose with the architecture of the floor that revolves around the core of the building, the stairs, and the elevators, resulting in the lack of a central space. This was resolved by the Israeli architect’s meticulous and creative division of the floor into a public and private space that face each other. Despite this open arrangement, the architect ensures that the privacy of each room in the house is maintained.

The penthouse features two entrances – one in the living room and one in the kitchen – which lead into a natural stone-paved space that continue onto the balconies. The kitchen is covered with a graphite shade that partially provides storage and hides practical work surfaces. Opposite sits a large island topped with black granite alongside a floating mirror, its length emphasized by lighting that hangs in perfect symmetry to the center of the window overlooking the landscape. Raz Melamed implemented this planning move during the skeletal phase, in which the display cases and windows were designed as a derivative of the kitchen height to create harmony. The front of the kitchen rotates towards the inner rooms and continues to the other end of the house. Doors to the utility room and the bedrooms have been assimilated, creating a strong connection between the spaces, and also maintaining privacy.

Adjacent to the kitchen is the dining area, with a table covered with a thin black wooden plate that mirrors that of the kitchen islands, and exudes warmth in the space. Above hangs a winding, sculptural lighting fixture reminiscent of the tree in front of it on the balcony. Winding throughout the house, longitudinal light strips create continuity and draw the gaze towards the living room, pool, and vertical library. Made of veneer for softness and warmth, the shelf case is covered with black metal that neatly conceals the air conditioning behind.

a sense of continuity and harmony is achieved by a minimal monochrome color palette

luxurious pool overlooks tel aviv urban skyline

A black pergola opens out onto the terrace from the living room for shade and protection from rain, and houses a projector for outdoor cinema evenings. Spiral stairs wrapped in a thin, constructive railing lead from the pool to the roof with a kitchen, jacuzzi and oven for a leisurely hospitality experience. Raz Melamed places the house’s most prominent feature – the luxury pool – onto the balcony. The pool is seamlessly dug underground, and its longitudinal shape narrows down as it approaches the master suite next to it, making it possible to jump directly into the water from the room, as though in a luxury resort. Contributing to the resort-like idyllic design are rocks that create a surfing canal, and low plants that allow a view of the cityscape through the glass railing.

The master suite is designed in a minimalist line, and like all the private spaces it is tiled with cozy parquet flooring. The room offers unobstructed views to the garden and urban landscape outdoors, made possible due to the elimination of a constructive pillar during the construction phase. This was instead transformed into a narrow, round iron pillar that allows for perimeter glass on the two sides of the room. White and minimalist carpentry cabinets are illuminated with recessed lighting, obscuring the pampering bathroom.

during the skeletal phase, display cases and windows were designed as a derivative of the kitchen height to create harmony

the penthouses houses a couple, their three daughters, and their dog

the outdoor terrace can be used for leisure and hospitality

aerial view of SQ5 penthouse

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project info:

name: SQ5 Penthouse 
architect: Raz Melamed Architect

kitchen: Poliform varenna

lighting: Moooi, Davide Groppi

furniture: Vitra, Living divani, Mdf italia, More, Lema

linen: Meira Sitton

rugs: Josephone

accessories: Kristina dam, Bolia

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions’ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: ravail khan | designboom