glass block walls let light permeate a duplex apartment in tel aviv

israeli-based tal goldsmith fish designs a monochrome duplex home in a residential tower in tel aviv, israel. the designer was in search of the right combination of materials, colors, and dynamics to provide the clients with a serene and peaceful home, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

all images courtesy of tal goldsmith fish

the house by tal goldsmith fish featured a double-height that was revealed upon entering the main hall of the space. the designers decided to create a bridge at the center of the space—splitting it in two—to soften the feeling and provide a sense of tranquility. this bridge not only acts as a visual connection but also provides a better human scale proportion and a variety of interesting viewing angles. it leads to a western window with a view towards the sea where the designers created a small reading and relaxing area overlooking this view.

the separation of the public and private areas was achieved through the creation of a large wall made of metalized glass blocks. glass blocks have been in use all over the world for over 200 years now. their strongest advantage is that they can be used to create constructive walls which transfer light and form reflections and thus soften the space and generate layers of interest. the glass blocks used in this project aren’t fully transparent but do transfer light and the silhouette of the person walking by on the other side.

in addition, during different times of the day, different types of reflections are created adding more character to the space. the glass block wall accompanies the person climbing up the stairs to the upper level where the parents’ area is located. in the master bedroom, a second glass block wall takes place, separating the sleeping area from the dressing area and bathroom while keeping a connection between all of them.

a monochromatic color palette was used making the space look harmonious and complete. the walls are covered with cement micro-topping complemented with wooden flooring and soft furniture. all the elements put together, in addition to the light reflections from the glass wall, create a serene and tranquil environment for the residents to enjoy.

project info:

name: the glass blocks duplex

designer: tal goldsmith fish

location: tel aviv, israel

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.