Architecture Wednesday: By The Sea

After the Christmas whirlwind, maybe a little relaxation is in order. And where better to relax than by the sea, in an ancient building that pays homage to its past while embracing a minimalist future.
This historic residence in Old Jaffa, in Tel Aviv, sits just above the harbor, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The 1100 square foot residential home faces west, taking full advantage of sunsets on the sea.
And, while it is difficult to determine the buildings exact age, it is clear that it is hundreds of years old and has undergone many changes. The original idea was to restore the structure's characteristics--the stone walls, the segmented ceilings and the arches--including the exposure of the original materials, a combination of pottery and beach sand. 
The building has undergone a "peeling" process to expose its original state, but is, in fact, the surprisingly modern, minimalistic construction style that echoes the past.
Both the old and the new were combined, maintaining the qualities of each, to create new spaces that blend the styles together and intensify them to create contrast and tension between the different periods. 
The historical is expressed by preserving the textures and materials of the building, while the modern flavor is achieved by opening up the spaces, and altering the internal flow to a more open and free feeling. It's almost like a loft conversion, only from an infinitely older building.
The project succeeds in both honoring and preserving the historical and almost romantic values of the structure while creating a contemporary project, suited to its period. 

via Pitsou Kedem Architects