Rishon LeZ’ion Gate

Rishon LeZ’ion, Israel

Program: Commercial, Business, Housing, Public Transportation, Public Park.
Client: Rishon Le`Zion Municipality
Area: 220,000 sqm
Status: Competition winner

Publications

The “Rishon Ayalon” project in its unique location on the Ayalon route and Moshe Dayan route will constitute the natural and significant connection between Rishon LeZion East – the historic city, and Rishon LeZion West – the new city facing the sea. This project seeks to utilize a significant land reserve that is located over a major transportation area, a place characterized with the highest accessibility in Israel which includes access to:   Israel Railways, Light Rail (the red and green lines)  Ayalon Route, Route 4, and Route 431. The high transport access to the site creates a unique opportunity, connecting both parts of the city and creating a new, innovative and technological urban outlook, which includes significant green qualities. Thus, it will be possible to establish a modern employment center of several office towers totaling about half a million square meters, which will allow employment for about 30,000 people, a business tourism hotel that will serve the hundreds of offices and establishments on site, as well as a commercial and cultural center, which are immediately integrated with the Railway station on site. The “Rishon Ayalon” offers green park spaces for recreation and sport that are used to connect the two parts of the city while in complete separation from motor traffic.

Mixed used program
The project establishes a new platform that bridges over the split parts of the city by buildings and open spaces continuity.The suggested plan provides the city with a linear mixed use development. The design scheme based on a 600 meters long raised multilevel platform accommodates a commercial centre and a transportation hub. The program also includes: office complex and commercial area in a total volume of about half a million square meters, a residential areas, public facilities, a business hotel, a cultural and recreation center and a green promenade. Mass transit system and monorail circular route will connect all parts of the project and the adjacent existing commercial activity. This mixed use strategy is a key ingredient in creating a sustainable environment that contributes to a socially-advanced community, generating round-the-clock activities, reinforcing walkability and notably reducing commuting.

Green layered promenade
The heart of the project is a green area designated for pedestrians and cyclists only. The green space is designed for the benefit of residents and the convenience of the office towers employees. This elevated open space functions as the green lung in the complex and creates a natural local landscape seen from all of the buildings. Each structure has access to the central green space for recreation and commercial areas as well as to parking lots. Significant portion of public buildings have green roofs that are integral part of the upper promenade. These roofs are used as an energy saving insulation layer. Shades covered with deciduous plants were designed to reduce the `urban heat islands effect`. Impervious land cover is minimized to prevent radiation reflection. These means improved local microclimate and creating thermal comfort in outdoor urban spaces in the project throughout the seasons. `Wetlands` integrated in the landscape have dual role as gray water purification and scenery.

Commercial and leisure centre
The commercial and leisure centre, located between the train station and the green space, function as a pedestrian hub. The green garden on the upper level, functions as a filter for natural light that penetrates deep into the shopping mall. The roof consists of semi-transparent photovoltaic cells and glass that provides filtered natural light. The system contributes to the absorption of solar energy while reducing operation costs.

‘Green Layering Gray’ forms the foundation for a more sustainable scheme by offering compact transit oriented project integrated with a design that utilizes to the maximum an already `Interrupted Landscape`. The project demonstrates a holistic approach, embodies cultural and environmental principles as part of a sustainable solution for human needs while reducing the environmental impact.