Mindgap

S I T U A T I O N

Ein Hud today occupies a place of arbitrary position, size and shape in the Carmel Mountains. There are no clearly defined borders or development lines. Restrictions such as military zones or natural preserves have always been aimed politically at restraining any development rather than having had any actual con-tents. The arrangement of buildings is loose and of no readable structure giving sense or direction to the existing place. There is no defined access road.

G E N E R A L L A N D S C A P E I D E A

The design proposes a clear general shape seeking unity of village and mountain. The contextual approach creates a distinct landscape appearance with an open field on the mountain top [municipal football field, linear water basin, private gardens, municipal grove, water tower and wind blades] visible from a distance. Underneath this plain the future housing expansion will gradually occupy the slopes - leaving the top open, as an “Ein Hud Balcony over the Mediterranean” for the common joy of inhabitants and guests. Next to this principal strategic decision a number of small scale interventions into the existing village fabric such as a series of public squares, stairways and retaining walls are being proposed. Most interventions are being guided by existing topographical and vegetal features such as terraces, groves and trees [or at least traces of these].