Project: IX A Penthouse inspired by the boulevard’s Three Lanes
Architecture: Raz Melamed Architect
Location: Tel Aviv, Israel
Year: 2025
Photo Credits: Amit Geron
In the heart of Tel Aviv’s vibrant urban core, IX A Penthouse by architect Raz Melamed delivers a calm, refined response to city living. Inspired by the serene, tree-lined avenue outside its walls, this rooftop apartment transforms the energy of the street into a holistic design narrative—blending nature, light, and architectural clarity. Conceived as a sanctuary for a couple in their 50s and their adult sons, the home balances privacy, flexibility, and openness in one fluid composition.
A Home Rooted in Context and Comfort
The clients, having acquired a shell-stage penthouse, envisioned a personal retreat that could evolve with their needs. They requested a large rooftop pool, a guest suite with a semi-independent bathroom, a study, and a utility kitchen beside the main one. Consequently, the project demanded an intelligent layout that could balance function, aesthetics, and urban constraints.
In response, Melamed embraced the apartment’s elongated footprint and the two balconies positioned on the front and back façades. To organize flow efficiently, he introduced a long central corridor beside the building’s core, connecting public and private spaces. Moreover, this axis does more than direct movement—it forms the conceptual and material spine of the design.
Clad in warm wood and black Nero Absoluto granite, the corridor captures the spirit of the street below. The lower section, paved in black stone, symbolizes the asphalt, while wooden slats—some painted white—rise above like stylized tree trunks. As a result, the passage becomes immersive, echoing the textures and tones of the leafy avenue that inspired it.
Light, Function, and Material in Harmony
The corridor not only structures circulation but also conceals various functional zones. It subtly hides access to the bedrooms, utility kitchen, and even the building’s lobby. Beyond this threshold, the living room opens up with panoramic glazing, inviting natural light deep into the space. Thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows and carefully minimized structural elements, views remain uninterrupted, reinforcing the apartment’s openness.
Furthermore, Melamed utilized a consistent materials palette to create visual cohesion. Inside, gray stone floors anchor the space, while a custom carpet and a mix of soft upholstery and dark iron add texture and contrast. Aluminum shelves, a freestanding black iron coat rack, and recessed lighting offer clean, functional accents that blend utility with elegance.
The kitchen follows this logic of visual continuity. A black stone island mirrors the vertical wooden cladding across the corridor, while high timber fronts reference both the dining area and external material tones. Meanwhile, dining chairs in vibrant colors and varied fabrics inject personality into the otherwise restrained space, breaking linearity and adding softness.
A Balcony Designed for City Views and Outdoor Living
When it comes to the balcony, Melamed turned constraints into opportunity. He replaced standard aluminum elements with sleek, minimal-profile glass, maximizing the view and minimizing visual weight. Additionally, he substituted conventional support columns with HEB steel columns, which allowed for structural efficiency and a wide, clean opening to the outdoors.
Here, the flooring continues in the same grid as the interior, visually expanding the space. A fully equipped outdoor kitchen, a graphite-toned bar, and colorfully upholstered chairs turn the balcony into a social hub. Low planters preserve views while offering a layer of privacy—transforming the space into a vibrant, breathable outdoor lounge.
Thoughtful Transitions to Private Zones
As one moves toward the private wing, the material language evolves subtly. The corridor cladding transitions to lighter tones, signaling a shift in atmosphere. In the study, white cube-shaped cabinetry sits atop slim black shelves, offering both concealed storage and space to display art. This design balances function with elegance, maintaining the same architectural rhythm found throughout the home.
The master suite is positioned at the back for maximum privacy and opens onto a secluded balcony. Fishbone parquet flooring lends warmth and softness, while custom carpentry creates visual depth along the diagonal bed wall. White elements and timber detailing extend into the ensuite, where wood-textured greige stone recalls both the interior palette and the asphalt tone of the avenue.
Smart Spatial Planning with a Flexible Guest Wing
The guest wing features clever functionality. Three adjacent doors allow the bathroom to function either as part of a suite or independently. This setup ensures flexibility for hosting while maintaining a cohesive design language. Like the rest of the home, these spaces are marked by texture, contrast, and subtle material transitions.
Meanwhile, the guest bathroom continues the cladding theme with longitudinal combed stone that mimics wood grain, paired with a floating wooden sink unit and a ceiling-mounted faucet. An unconventional mirror completes the vignette, reinforcing Melamed’s eye for sculptural detail and spatial clarity.
A Rooftop Pool That Elevates the Urban Experience
Finally, the rooftop pool crowns the penthouse—both literally and metaphorically. Resting atop the building’s core, the pool provides structural stability while introducing an elevated leisure zone above the city’s hustle. It reflects Melamed’s belief in architectural balance: where lifestyle and livability coexist, and where design responds gracefully to context.
In summary, IX A Penthouse is a sophisticated exploration of spatial layering, material restraint, and urban inspiration. Through intentional contrasts—light and dark, structure and softness, privacy and openness—Raz Melamed crafts a home that reflects the complexity of city life while offering a peaceful, grounded retreat above it.
