D. Eytan / R. Lahav-Rigg
Architects & Planners

Ruth Lahav Archive

Beit Halochem Beer Sheva Competition

• Planning
  R. Lahav–Rigg Architects & Town Planners, 2002
  Client: Zahal Disabled Veterans Organization
  Competition by invitation
• The Competition
  Beit Halohem centres in Israel — Zahal Disabled Veterans Organization's House — provide a place where the disabled can participate in sports and related activities suited to their individual disabilities.
  Sports programs are a major contribution to successful rehabilitation by maintaining the members' physical fitness and preventing deterioration. The centres also offer a wide range of social and creative activities for the members.
  Zahal Disabled Veterans Organization commissioned an architectural competition for the design of two new centres, in the cities of Ashdod and Beer Sheva, for the benefit of their local members.
• Design Concept
  Due to the limited ground space available and the programme specification of extensive gardens and outdoor sports areas, the design minimises and concentrates the built areas which at the same time segments the outdoor areas for all the separate activities.
  There are two buildings connected by a "floating street": the eastern one houses the swimming pool and offices, while the western one houses the basketball court (which doubles as a functions hall) and the cafeteria.
  The corner lot supports two seperate entrances — pedestrian main entrance from north-east and vehicular access to the underground parking from the west.
• Green Design
  The buildings are positioned on a north-south axis which, with the use of louvers on the roofs and windows, lets in ample sunlight during the winter, while minimising it in summer.
  Beer Sheva is gifted with mild winters that don't require strong heating during the day — therefore the building will be heated using passive solar heating elements.
  In summer the roof louvers would shield the building from overheating duing the day and a differential thermostat would control night ventilation throughout the complex, reducing the overall need of air-conditioning.
  The positioning of the pedestrian entrance towards the north-east protects from the strong western winds that predominate throughout the year.