Younes & Sorarya Nazarian Library, Haifa University | A.Lerman Architects Ltd.
Haifa, Israel

Photo credit: Amit Geron
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PROJECT DETAILS:
Client: Haifa university.
Size: New wing – 5,000 M2, Renovation – 3,000 M2
Location: Haifa, Israel
Principal architect: Asaf Lerman
Project architects; phase 1: Lev Konikov, phase 2: Nimrod Schenkelbach
Photo credit: Amit Geron
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This project is an intervention project in one of the most iconic sites of modernist Israeli architecture – the Oscar Niemeyer planned campus of the University of Haifa. The architecture competition asked for remodeling of existing library spaces and an addition to house office spaces, an auditorium, and new spaces for library collections. The scheme aimed at extracting the original intentions of the campus while updating its weaker moments. That was achieved by placing the new building under an existing parking lot and creating a new open space between it and the existing library. This open space offers new connections between the two parts, and its unique proportions allow for the evaluation of the linear intensity of the original design.













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The material strategy is also meant to amplify the qualities of the original by using updated concrete techniques and placing central elements such as circular concrete stairs as an homage to Niemeyer and his always contemporary approach.