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Haifa University Student Centre by Chyutin Architects

Haifa University Student Centre by Chyutin Architects

Israeli office Chyutin Architects have completed a student centre for the University of Haifa, protruding out from the side of Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel.

Haifa University Student Centre by Chyutin Architects

The building comprises two separate parts: a four-storey building housing the student union and a cantilevered two-storey structure housing the dean's offices.

Haifa University Student Centre by Chyutin Architects

Each level of the concrete student union building can be accessed from stepped external terraces created by the fan-shaped plan.

Haifa University Student Centre by Chyutin Architects

Wooden decking overlooking the valley below covers the terraces of the lower building and roof of the metal-clad dean's office.

Haifa University Student Centre by Chyutin Architects

See also: Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem by Chyutin Architects

Haifa University Student Centre by Chyutin Architects

Photographs are by Amit Giron.

Haifa University Student Centre by Chyutin Architects

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Haifa University Student Centre by Chyutin Architects

The following information is from the architects:


Haifa University Student Center, Haifa University, Israel
Winning competition, completion 2010

Haifa University is built on the projection of a ridge of Mount Carmel that looks over the bay of this Mediterranean city.

The site chosen for the Student Center building overlooks a deep valley as well as the bay and has a steep topography.

Haifa University Student Centre by Chyutin Architects

Its upper part abuts the scenic road that extends through the entire campus, ending at the site. In order not to interfere with the view, the building’s roof had to be set below the level of the scenic road.

Haifa University Student Centre by Chyutin Architects

The design of the building aim to fulfill two main goals: integration of the building into the natural surrounding landscape on one hand, and functional clarity on the other hand.

Haifa University Student Centre by Chyutin Architects

This clarity was achieved by separating the two main activates: the Dean of Students offices and the student union into two wings with differing characteristics of space, volume and operational organization.

Haifa University Student Centre by Chyutin Architects

The Dean of Students wing is a two-storey rectangular prism, perpendicular to the lines of the topography and jutting out into the vista. Its roof acts as an extension of the scenic road with an observation deck at its end.

Haifa University Student Centre by Chyutin Architects

The Students Union wing is a semi buried four- storey stepped structure shaped like a fan with its long glazed façade facing the view. The upper floors contain the offices while the lower floors the public activities.

Haifa University Student Centre by Chyutin Architects

The garden roofs of the terraced wing blend with the adjacent topography of the mountain.

Haifa University Student Centre by Chyutin Architects

Between the two wings an external stepped street was designed to enable unroofed descent and external entries into the various floors.

Haifa University Student Centre by Chyutin Architects

The stepped street is homage to the traditional terraced buildings characteristic of the city of Haifa.

Haifa University Student Centre by Chyutin Architects

The inner stairway of the building run beneath and parallel to the outer stairways and connects the lobbies of the four floors.

Haifa University Student Centre by Chyutin Architects

The finishing materials for the building express the relationship between the two wings that comprise it.

Haifa University Student Centre by Chyutin Architects

The floating Dean's wing is designed with metal cladding while the earthy terraces walls are built of exposed concrete.

Haifa University Student Centre by Chyutin Architects

The floating wing roof and the external stepped street leading to the terraced gardens are paved with wooden deck.

Haifa University Student Centre by Chyutin Architects

The terraces extend underneath the floating wing and vanish into the topography, unifying both wings into a singular comprehensive architectural composition.

Haifa University Student Centre by Chyutin Architects

Architects – Chyutin Architects Ltd.
Location- Haifa, Israel

Haifa University Student Centre by Chyutin Architects

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Client- Haifa University
Team- Bracha Chyutin, Michael Chyutin, Ethel Rozenhek, Joseph Perez

Haifa University Student Centre by Chyutin Architects

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Area- 6200 Sq. M
Project year- 2010

Haifa University Student Centre by Chyutin Architects

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Haifa University Student Centre by Chyutin Architects

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Haifa University Student Centre by Chyutin Architects

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Haifa University Student Centre by Chyutin Architects

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Haifa University Student Centre by Chyutin Architects

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