Architects Ifat Finkelman and Dan Hasson won the “Architecture Award” competition for 2024

Architects Ifat Finkelman and Dan Hasson, lecturers at the School of Architecture, won first place in the “Interior Design” category in the “Architecture Award” competition for 2024.

The prize was awarded to them for their design of the Tel Aviv-Yafo Music Center – a redesigned Jewish-Arab cultural center that encourages coexistence through musical education. Situated in the heart of Groningen Garden, the center serves diverse young communities in the southern neighborhoods of Tel Aviv-Yafo. The building consists of the old wing (1965) – a modernist concrete structure housing administrative offices, rehearsal halls and classrooms – and the new wing (1992), which features a lobby, concert hall and backstage facilities.

The renovation project, led by the architects, aimed to expose the building’s historical layers and original geometry and enhance the cultural experience for the local community. The new design language uses a sustainable and cost-effective palette of finishes, integrating veneer elements, wood wool paneling, aluminum baffles and linoleum and rubber flooring. Through a playful combination of materials and colors, each space takes on a unique character.  

The project won first place in the Interior Design category for its excellence in uncompromising planning carried out within a tight budget, while maintaining high standards of quality, precision and professionalism. Its design corresponds perfectly to the original architectural principles of the building, remaining faithful to its geometric form and modest design, and giving pride of place to the music played in its spaces.

The “Architecture Prize” competition is held by the Association of Engineers, Architects and Graduates in Technological Sciences in Israel — the professional body representing Israeli architects, which provides professional services to all architects active in Israel. The jury included senior Israeli architects, and the selection process took several months.

Read more about the project on the ArchDaily website