Project: Offices of MyHeritage
Planning and Interior Design: Auerbach Halevy Architects
Planning Team: Uri Halevy and Shani Hadad
Location: Or Yehuda, Israel
Photography: Uzi Porat
The offices of MyHeritage, an Israeli tech company, have evolved significantly since their early days in a historic Templar building in Bney Atarot. Known for developing a revolutionary data-merging algorithm and accompanying software, MyHeritage needed to expand from its initial quaint setting due to rapid growth. The company’s founder, Gilad Yefet, engaged Auerbach Halevy to design their new workspace in a modern office building in Or Yehuda, beginning a fruitful collaboration that would accommodate their expanding operations.
Over the past decade, the offices of MyHeritage have continued to grow, necessitating multiple expansions to accommodate the increasing staff and technological advancements. The company recently inaugurated its third wing, now occupying nearly 5,000 square meters. These expansions presented unique challenges for Auerbach Halevy, as they had to merge new designs with the preservation-focused aesthetic of the original building and their previous work in the modern office setting.
The design evolution involved careful selection of materials and structural adjustments to support advanced technology, teamwork, and post-COVID hybrid working models. Prof. Uri Halevy, partner at Auerbach Halevy Architects, described the design process as a delicate balance between extending the existing design themes and integrating new ones, ensuring that the office remains a cohesive and inviting workspace.
“When we design an office space that extends an existing workspace, we lead a fascinating process with the client where we invest a lot of thought together, focusing on the small details that impact the atmosphere and feel of the place, and how to provide employees with the most efficient and pleasant space to work. Should we continue the existing design line and preserve the current design, or move to a completely new design phase? How do we maintain the connection between the different spaces, so that the office remains an inviting place that generates productive work?” says Prof. Uri Halevy, partner at Auerbach Halevy Architects.
The first wing retained elements from the moshav with white bricks and natural wood, echoing the rustic charm of MyHeritage’s first location. In the 2018 expansion, new colors were introduced while maintaining these elements to ensure continuity. The latest expansion continued to feature the familiar brickwork but introduced a new reddish hue sourced from demolished sites, combined with metal beams for a more industrial, loft-like feel.
“In our design journey for MyHeritage, we immediately understood how important it was to preserve the homey, pleasant and warm atmosphere of the original space. Additionally, we wanted to refresh and advance a new vibe according to current design trends. So in expanding the office, we chose to keep the existing brick element in order to naturally connect the old space with the new, but upgraded it by adding a new reddish shade of bricks from demolitions, combined with metal beams that give a more industrial, loft-like look, while also reminiscent of the moshav landscape they came from,” explains interior designer Shani Hadad.
The layout of the offices of MyHeritage centers around a core of meeting rooms, complemented by private offices and smaller rooms for focused tasks. Central social hubs featuring lounge areas and kitchenettes facilitate informal interactions and social gatherings, enhancing the communal atmosphere of the workplace.
Additionally, the design incorporates the CEO’s love for art and historical reproductions, aligning with MyHeritage’s mission. These elements are strategically placed throughout the office, adding a unique and engaging dimension to the workspace, making the offices of MyHeritage a model of how modern work environments can blend functionality with cultural heritage.
Brands:
Lightning – Karney Tchelet
Carpentry – We Wood
Furniture – Waxman
Lounge sofas – Atnachta
Coverings – Milstone
