{"id":112645,"date":"2025-11-03T07:03:20","date_gmt":"2025-11-03T07:03:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/112645\/"},"modified":"2025-11-03T07:03:20","modified_gmt":"2025-11-03T07:03:20","slug":"the-floating-herzliya-home-that-redefines-modern-family-living","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/112645\/","title":{"rendered":"The floating Herzliya home that redefines modern family living"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sometimes life paths are shaped by chance. For architect Amir Zoref, it began at age 12, when his late father, an educator who recognized his talent, sent him to an adult painting studio. The teacher initially refused to accept a child, but after seeing his drawings, made an exception. \u201cOne evening, I overheard my father and the teacher discussing my future,\u201d Zoref recalls with a smile. \u201cThey didn\u2019t include me in the conversation, but they decided I would become an architect\u2014and I guess it stuck.\u201d<\/p>\n

Over the years, his love for painting evolved into a creative language that defines his architectural work today: clean, restrained lines that strive for harmony rather than shock value \u201cI\u2019m not after the immediate \u2018wow,\u2019\u201d he explains. \u201cI look for balance between inside and out, between material and light, between architecture and art.\u201d<\/p>\n

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From permit to chair: the structure was designed with a clean, restrained line <\/p>\n

(Photo: Nimrod Levy)<\/p>\n

Zoref\u2019s architectural language draws inspiration from modernism and Japanese tradition, while leaving space for color, art, and personal expression through furniture and decor. \u201cI prefer that a house tell its story through its connections, not through loud gestures,\u201d he emphasizes.<\/p>\n

The Herzliya house, a 600-square-meter home built on a one-dunam lot, became a turning point in Zoref\u2019s career. It was a \u201ctotal project,\u201d designed and executed from scratch, including every detail of the interior design. He had known the homeowner since their youth and had already designed several apartments for him.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt first I hesitated,\u201d Zoref admits. \u201cI was working full-time in another firm and was overloaded. But when I saw the plot and its potential, I knew I had to do it. There was great chemistry between us, and that made all the difference.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The living room and the layout of the entrance floor <\/p>\n

(Photo: Nimrod Levy)<\/p>\n

The old 1960s structure on the property was demolished, and the land was leveled by raising the new building above street level, creating a modern, elevated presence. His goal: a horizontal, open structure blurring the line between interior and exterior, combining both drama and tranquility through natural materials and flowing continuity.<\/p>\n

The clients entrusted him completely, from building permits to curtain selection. \u201cFor me, a house is a gestalt, a whole greater than the sum of its parts,\u201d he says. \u201cEvery detail contributes to the overall harmony.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The sloped lot inspired the design of a dynamic structure <\/p>\n

(Photo: Nimrod Levy)<\/p>\n

Even seemingly grand design elements, such as three-meter-tall doors, were made to blend into the structure rather than dominate it. \u201cThey\u2019re part of the envelope, not sculptures,\u201d he notes.<\/p>\n

Originally planning a stainless-steel staircase, Zoref changed his mind mid-process: \u201cIt risked becoming a centerpiece, which wasn\u2019t the intention. I wanted everything to speak the same language.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The power lies in the ability to maintain harmony <\/p>\n

(Photo: Nimrod Levy)<\/p>\n

The homeowners wanted a modern, minimalist home that still felt warm and inviting. Zoref designed a three-story structure based on a virtual grid defining every structural and aesthetic proportion, from room divisions to tile dimensions.<\/p>\n

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They wanted a modern, minimalist home with clean lines <\/p>\n

(Photo: Nimrod Levy)<\/p>\n

The ground floor houses the communal spaces: a large entryway, dining room, living room, kitchen, and family area opening to the backyard and pool. Upstairs are the parents\u2019 suite and four children\u2019s suites. The basement includes a guest room, home cinema with a bar, office, laundry room, and shelter.<\/p>\n

The exterior uses natural materials: concrete, mineral plaster, oak, stone, glass, and metal, while inside, neutral tones of white, black, and gray create a calm canvas for furniture and art to shine. \u201cA home should be a background,\u201d Zoref says. \u201cWhat brings it to life are the people and the objects they choose.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The living room beside the staircase <\/p>\n

(Photo: Nimrod Levy)<\/p>\n

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The dining area <\/p>\n

(Photo: Nimrod Levy)<\/p>\n

From the outside, the home appears to float lightly above the ground. The design was inspired by classical architecture, where heavy lower levels support lighter, more refined upper volumes. Here, the concrete-clad ground floor contrasts with a smooth white upper floor that seems to hover above it.<\/p>\n

Creating this effect was an engineering challenge. Working with structural engineer Aharon Daniel, a veteran professional and amateur pilot, they designed the upper floor to hang from roof beams supported by minimal columns. The result: airy openness and a subtle sense of weightlessness.<\/p>\n

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A sketch of the house in a painterly style <\/p>\n

(Illustration: Amir Zoref)<\/p>\n

The upper floor extends over the pool area, providing shade, while the entrance canopy rests on only two walls, creating a suspended welcome space for visitors.<\/p>\n

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The basketball court in the yard <\/p>\n

(Photo: Nimrod Levy)<\/p>\n

The outdoor area includes a basketball court, designed at the homeowner\u2019s request for his son\u2019s practice sessions. \u201cIt even has regulation markings for three-point shots and free throws,\u201d says Zoref.<\/p>\n

The entrance gate is minimalist, set back from the street to create a gradual ascent lined with greenery. Inside, the open floor plan maintains flow while subtle partitions define space, a two-sided fireplace separates the living and family areas without breaking sightlines.<\/p>\n

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A long stainless-steel island with a white Corian surface <\/p>\n

(Photo: Nimrod Levy)<\/p>\n

The kitchen combines industrial and elegant elements: a stainless-steel island, white Corian surfaces, and hidden utility areas. \u201cIt\u2019s a \u2018Nigga Chef\u2019 kitchen, professional yet refined,\u201d says Zoref. \u201cWe even flew to Milan to buy most of the furniture.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Industrial and durable yet also elegant <\/p>\n

(Photo: Nimrod Levy)<\/p>\n

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A stainless-steel kitchen adjoining the outdoor area <\/p>\n

(Photo: Nimrod Levy)<\/p>\n

Large glass doors open to the pool terrace, paved in brushed travertine that continues into the pool itself, reflecting the sky\u2019s turquoise and golden hues. The garden features a green wall, mature oak trees, a sunken firepit area, and a concrete bar for outdoor entertaining.<\/p>\n

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An aerial view of the yard <\/p>\n

(Photo: Nimrod Levy)<\/p>\n

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A seating area adjacent to the glass fa\u00e7ade <\/p>\n

(Photo: Nimrod Levy)<\/p>\n

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The exit from the living room to the yard, partially shaded <\/p>\n

(Photo:Nimrod Levy)<\/p>\n

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The upper floor casts shade over part of the yard <\/p>\n

(Photo: Nimrod Levy)<\/p>\n

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An open-air dining area <\/p>\n

(Photo: Nimrod Levy)<\/p>\n

Upstairs, the parents\u2019 suite spans the entire depth of the house, from street fa\u00e7ade to garden, with a private balcony, glass wardrobe room, and spacious bathroom. The children\u2019s suites each have private bathrooms and are shaded by vertical oak louvers for privacy and light control.<\/p>\n

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The master bedroom with access to a balcony <\/p>\n

(Photo: Nimrod Levy)<\/p>\n

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A private sitting area for the couple overlooking the pool <\/p>\n

(Photo: Nimrod Levy)<\/p>\n

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A balance between light and shadow, and between openness and privacy, in the bathroom <\/p>\n

(Photo: Nimrod Levy)<\/p>\n

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The master bathroom <\/p>\n

(Photo: Nimrod Levy)<\/p>\n

Descending to the basement reveals a piano corner and library, designed around the elevator shaft. \u201cOriginally we thought of placing a grand piano, but I worried about the acoustics,\u201d says Zoref. \u201cThey later bought a smaller one, and it fits perfectly.\u201d Nearby stands a custom metal library by CTRLZAK Studio, resembling structural beams yet appearing delicate.<\/p>\n

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The house features concrete, mineral plaster, massive wooden beams, natural stone, glass, and metal <\/p>\n

(Photo: Nimrod Levy)<\/p>\n

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The piano and library area <\/p>\n

(Photo: Nimrod Levy)<\/p>\n

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A vertical skylight installed on the upper floor allows natural light to stream inside <\/p>\n

(Photo: Nimrod Levy)<\/p>\n

The basement includes the cinema and bar, guest suite, office, and service rooms, all naturally lit through sunken courtyards and skylights.<\/p>\n

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In the basement: a dimly lit home cinema and bar <\/p>\n

(Photo: Nimrod Levy)<\/p>\n

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They enjoy hosting in the basement and watching movies <\/p>\n

(Photo: Nimrod Levy)<\/p>\n

Throughout the house, art and architecture intertwine. A polished stainless-steel sculpture greets guests at the entrance, while local Israeli art and bespoke rugs complete the interiors. The staircase, made of folded steel, creates the illusion of a sheet of paper curling through space\u2014one side painted white to merge with the walls, the other black for depth and contrast.<\/p>\n

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The fa\u00e7ade illuminated at night <\/p>\n

(Photo: Nimrod Levy)<\/p>\n

Even the outdoor flooring reflects thoughtful restraint: natural brushed stone chosen for texture, not show. \u201cThe goal wasn\u2019t to impress,\u201d Zoref concludes. \u201cIt was to create a home that feels whole, authentic, and alive.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Sometimes life paths are shaped by chance. For architect Amir Zoref, it began at age 12, when his…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":112646,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[437,434,435,436,438,146,85,46],"class_list":["post-112645","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-arts-and-design","tag-arts","tag-arts-and-design","tag-artsanddesign","tag-artsdesign","tag-design","tag-entertainment","tag-il","tag-israel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/112645","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=112645"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/112645\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/112646"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=112645"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=112645"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=112645"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}