Botanical Living – Residential Neighborhood in Ein Gedi

Bridging Kibbutz Heritage and Desert Topography

The Challenge: Designing a new residential neighborhood on a steep slope overlooking the Dead Sea, within the unique context of Kibbutz Ein Gedi. The project presented dual challenges: engineering-wise, dealing with extreme slopes and complex foundation issues; and architecturally, preserving the authentic Kibbutz atmosphere while avoiding standard suburban sprawl.

The Architectural Solution:
Our concept was to mirror the original planning of the historic Kibbutz and translate it into a modern context. Instead of a detached suburban layout, the neighborhood is composed of clusters of homes centered around "Pocket Gardens." These gardens serve as a direct extension of Ein Gedi’s world-renowned Botanical Garden, integrating nature into the daily lives of the residents.

Project Highlights:

Typological Continuity: Replicating the core planning principles of the original Kibbutz to create a unified architectural language that fosters community.

Steep Slope Architecture: Implementing creative solutions for construction on extreme gradients, ensuring unobstructed Dead Sea views for every unit while overcoming significant geological and foundation obstacles.

Botanical Integration: Each cluster of homes revolves around a pocket garden, allowing the Kibbutz’s botanical heritage to grow and flourish within the new residential fabric.