Pine hill

Ma’alot-Tarshiha, Israel

Program: Residential neighborhood
Client: Ministry of Housing
Area: 289,000 sqm
Status: Completed 2013

Ma’alot Tarshiha is located between the villages of Kfar Vradim, Meona, Yanuah and Ma’ilya, and is adjacent to the nature reserve of Wadi Kziv in the north and the Nof Nature Reserve to the east. The central area between the neighborhood of Yefe Nof, Tarshiha and Vradim is one of the main areas reserved for the growth of Ma’alot Tarshiha.

As part of the structural plan, the main road systems linking the complex with the peripheral roads were outlined:

  1. Connection to the route between Ma’alot – Nahariya via an added intersection which will be located above the national road 89 at the eastern entrance to Ma’alot, with a link to the Yefe Nof neighborhood.
  2. Connection to route 854 that connects Maalot with Kfar Vradim, Gush Tefen up until Karmiel.
  3. Connection to the bypass road surrounding Tarshiha (route 88) and a connection to the national road 89, at the western entrance to Ma’alot.

At the eastern entrance to Givat Oranim is a grove of cedar trees, which is a unique site in Israel. There is planned a circular circulation route that will surround the cedar trees.  To the west of this ring is a commercial center, which in addition includes kindergartens and dormitories, primary and secondary schools, playgrounds and sport fields.

From the center point a pedestrian walkway is developed toward the top of the hill, which is steeped in pine trees. The pedestrian route is reinforced by it’s the public buildings on both ends of its borders.

The site includes construction of buildings within the framework of “build you home” and a terraced building typology that integrates with the area and allows every tenant to enjoy a piece of land and / or a garden terrace adjacent. This type of construction ensures a higher quality of building which is suitable for a higher standard of living. This approach is consistent with the general trend in Ma’alot Tarshiha to strengthen the socio-economic status of the population.