The Need
The City of Herzliya initiated an architectural competition for the design of a new cultural and innovation hub on the site of the city’s former central bus station. Our office was honored to win the competition
The Vision
The building, located on a site once defined by traffic congestion, air pollution, and soil contamination, is envisioned as its very opposite: an ecological landmark that harnesses earth, sun, and air as active design tools for energy efficiency and environmental care.
Herzliya climate innovation center is a new type of “glocal” space, blending Mediterranean heritage and history with innovation and urban culture in an era of climate change.
A civic beacon—an urban space of inspiration, a lighthouse in the city, the economy, and society—offering equal opportunity for all: to learn, explore, create, invent, and shape the “City of Tomorrow” for a better future for generations to come.
The Design
From an ecological standpoint, the design integrates numerous strategies to maximize energy efficiency, including orientation-based analysis of sun and wind, and the use of underground spaces to create naturally cooler environments that reduce internal temperatures.
Roofs and terraces function as green lungs and connect directly to an adjacent urban park on the eastern side, supporting research collaboration and integrating with community-based ecological gardens.
