JFFZ

In an attempt to unify, rather than divide, the issues at hand when working on a project of this stature, the interrelation of all the issues that make up Israel’s social condition became clearer. First, there is the natural environment, which is made up of all the natural elements such as climate, geography, location, sun, vegetation etc. Then, there is the human environment as a result of the relationships of people. Politics, economics, religion, history, art, culture, etc. Finally, there is the physical/ built environment, which stems from the previous two. With this in mind, a planned redistribution of the natural resources, will enhance the economic, demographic, cultural and ultimately the physical growth of a city defined by its public and private elements. The new master plan for the village of Ein Hud, Israel is a proposal for its residents to have more than just “a space to sleep in”. It suggests the integration of the public and private condition through an agenda of economic character as a backbone that integrates the village in all aspects. To respect the construction effort of local families, the existing residences have been kept and the land was divided into lots demarcated be vegetation rather than built elements such as fences or walls. In this case, there will be more freedom in involving the families with their choices of constructing an urban fabric and townscape that is tightly knit yet not overcrowded. Residents will be encouraged to stay in Ein Hud developing its economy based on goods rather than on services (reason why they have to leave to find work in the larger cities). It will range from the production of their agricultural resources in the proposed agricultural land and terraces, to the sales of their products in a vibrant public friendly market place. Public areas will offer a venue for encounter between locals and visitors. The multifunctional center was not conceived as a building per se, but rather as a town center composed of several destinations; amphitheater, hotel, galleries, studios and library. These will be close to city hall and the market place to create an atmosphere of a lively town hub attractive to both resident and visitor.