Fein 1 Central: fluid balconies and an organic shape for small apartments with cross ventilation

​ Located in southern Tel Aviv, in a degraded area experiencing rapid transformations, the Fein 1 Central apartment complex introduces much needed housing and street-front commercial spaces, while partially preserving fragments of the existing building on site. The area is part of Tel Aviv – Yafo’s Municipality master plan to transform and uplift the city’s decayed southern district.
The neighborhood’s cultural and economic growth is part of its gentrification process focusing on culture and creating a new, more open and progressive profile for the neighborhood. Part of this growth will be the addition of the new premises of the renowned Bat Sheva Dance Company right across the street, and the new light rail station next to Fein 1 Central.


Following the brief’s requirements to provide small apartments with cross ventilation, we moved away from the characteristic Tel Aviv building typology by inverting the typical box building inside – out and resolving both issues at once. The new 6,400 m² six-storey building introduces an inner courtyard, which becomes the focal area of the complex, allowing for large common balconies that are open to the sky, offering both physical and visual connection to the park across the street. The courtyard also promotes low energy consumption by offering shading in the summer and penetration of direct sunlight in the winter.
Fein 1 Central contains medium to small apartments, incorporating 53 apartments comprised by 49 two-bedroom apartments, 3 three-bedroom apartments and a 1 four-bedroom apartment. The scale of the apartments is allowing young families and young professionals – a major affordable housing local demographic, to remain in the neighborhood. In addition to the residential use, the building includes 9 retail units while incorporating 350 m² of existing fragments from the old structure.
The building’s façade is minimal and symmetrical in an off white color- typical of local Tel Aviv architecture. Playful color contrast between inside and outside is used to emphasize public and private spaces; a strong red color is used in the courtyard offering a more private and airy shelter from the hot and busy street.
The organic shaped balconies offer a fluid form which also contrasts the strictly symmetrical exterior façade, creating a clear distinction between street and shelter. The curvaceous balconies serve both as pathways and leisure spaces for residents.
The apartment complex also features a private 5 – level underground parking in an area that is very dense and lacks the vehicle parking space. Also, it was important to create minimal car exposure and for the neighborhood to remain pedestrian friendly.