Project: RR – 4 Stories Apartment
Architecture: Architect Raz Melamed
Location: Tel Aviv, Israel
Year: 2024
Photo Credits: Amit Geron
The 4 Stories Apartment by Architect Raz Melamed provides a quiet escape in the midst of a busy city. Customers from abroad specifically requested an apartment in Israel where they could feel truly at home. Consequently, Raz Melamed designed a versatile penthouse that spans a rooftop, two adjacent floors, and an additional apartment on a separate floor to meet a diverse range of needs.
Project Inspiration and Concept
Inspired by the client’s desire for a dynamic living space, the design team prioritized functionality and open views. The client requested suites for children and guests, a gourmet kitchen for a chef who loves to entertain, a dedicated gym, libraries for both display and reading, and expansive, unobstructed views. In response, Raz Melamed created a design that blends contemporary aesthetics with innovative spatial solutions. Throughout the process, the architect worked closely with the clients, addressing challenges together and ensuring that every detail reflected the client’s vision.
Overcoming Design Challenges
Connecting Floors:
The project team initially faced the challenge of connecting two separate floors into a seamless internal passage. They solved this by installing one staircase that opened into the ceiling of the lower floor and a second staircase linking the accommodation area on the entrance floor to the pool on the rooftop.
Creating Expansive Openings:
Another challenge was constructing expansive, minimal windows that allowed abundant natural light without partitions. The solution involved sawing through the building’s skeleton to create precise gaps for windows and showcases while eliminating partition columns to achieve a perfect corner opening.
Addressing Diagonal Walls:
The diagonal walls in the structure prompted innovative diagonal carpentry details in the bedrooms and guest bathrooms. In these areas, stone-clad niches flooded with light created an engaging interplay of straight and angled elements.
Key Interior Features and Details
Entrance and Living Areas
Upon entering the apartment, guests are greeted by a striking sofa area with an unusual design and a TV wall that maintains a clean line in materials and colors. Adjacent to this, black stairs with variable geometry lead to the rooftop, accompanied by a black string railing that meets white decorative boxes. These elements not only enhance the sense of airiness but also provide practical storage and serve as a drinks bar.
In the living room, an expansive balcony offers breathtaking views, highlighted by a decorative round fireplace that doubles as a table. Peripheral low planters set on floating tiles contribute to a distinct urban vibe, while integrated balcony lighting subtly illuminates the space and emphasizes key decorative features.
Private Suite and Bathroom
The private suite on the same floor features a reading corner with a free‑standing library crafted from black aluminum and glass, complemented by white glass doors that conceal additional books. Unique wooden grooves on the door to the sleeping area and a continuous blend of wooden elements with black shelves enhance the room’s visual interest. The suite includes parquet flooring, upholstered and floating furniture, and white curtains. A TV wall covered with stone and wooden laths cleverly conceals a closet and air conditioning unit, while decorative lighting and a harmoniously designed ceiling fan echo the room’s color palette. The adjoining bathroom, paved with stone slabs and softened by a wooden sink cabinet, benefits from accent lighting that enhances its overall design.
Kitchen and Utility Spaces
The spectacular custom-made kitchen stands out with its wooden shelves, a black island equipped with a stove, and a trough sink designed to store spices or a wine cooler for entertaining. Touches of black appear in the hood, air conditioning grill, and refrigerator handles, adding a refined contrast to the space. In front of the ovens, a hidden door opens into the laundry room, guest services, and bedroom suites. Additionally, an innovative staircase in the foyer—marked by creative carpentry—connects the apartment’s private area below. This staircase transitions from a wooden wall covering into a hallway separated by an intriguing cut-off detail before turning into black stairs with changing geometry that lead to a space featuring a large wine fridge, a living room, gym, and balcony. This floor was designed in neutral tones with strategic black accents to highlight its key elements.
The Rooftop: A Luxurious Escape
The rooftop is designed for perfect entertaining. It features a luxurious outdoor kitchen adjacent to the pool, with a raised deck that provides an elegant solution for furniture storage and a ladder-free entrance to the pool. Cantilevered stairs lead to an elevated seating area that extends to the front of the pool. Covered in stone, the rooftop resembles a high‑end resort—a serene island of peace in a developing city that allows residents to breathe deeply and relax completely.
Conclusion
In summary, the 4 Stories Apartment by Architect Raz Melamed exemplifies innovative design and creative problem-solving. By blending thoughtful spatial connections with a refined aesthetic, the project delivers a versatile living space that meets the demands of modern life while offering a tranquil escape in a bustling urban setting.
