27 Ruppin Street

Overlooking the corner of Ruppin and HaKerem Streets, this residential building was erected in 1935 by Menashe Azouri Baruch and Ezra Yosef Khoury. The four-story building is an admirable example of the late International Style and features a partial columned ground floor, round port inspired windows and cantilevered balconies lined with decorative wrought iron railings. Designed by architects Abraham Berger and Yizhak Mandelbaum, this building demonstrates one of the cornerstones of the International Style as considerable effort was invested in detail serviceability and overall functionality.

Address: Ruppin Street 27, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
Constructed: 1935
Renewed: 2022
Client: Goldblatt, Gindes, Yariv
Photographer: Nimrod Levy
Project manager: Amit Gavriel Building Inspector

The conservation work

Conservation work consisted of preserving the original façades and implementing the modern building addition of a recessed roof floor. Detailed attention was paid to the restoration of the set-back entrance that opens into an impressive foyer and the stairwell decorated with iron and carpentry details as well as the original mosaic flooring. Restoration of the marble cladding decorating the walls of the entrance hall and the stairwell allowed for the original colorful shades to liven up the public areas of the residence. Construction efforts included the conservation of architectural elements such as carpentry details and iron work as well the restoration of the distinguished decorative plaster work on the facades. Extensive landscape work was carried out including vegetation typical of the period as well as consideration for accessibility.

The conservation work Plasterwork Horizontal Emphasis Historical vs Modern

Plasterwork

The building is accented by distinguished plasterwork. A smooth plaster finish characterizes the three residential floors while the ground floor and its supporting columns are highlighted by krazputz plaster notched with decorative grooves. The porthole windows along the ground floor are given additional emphasis by use of shteinputz plaster reminiscent of stonework.

Horizontal Emphasis

Cantilever balconies highlight the main façade accentuated by geometrically patterned iron railings. The protruding balconies are counterbalanced by the overhanging columned ground floor and together emphasis the play of light and shadow on the main facade.

Historical vs Modern

A clear distinction was created between the original four floors and the modern addition of the roof floor by retreating from the main facades. The building addition is also offset by a horizontal sash created by use of shteinputz plasterwork.

27 Ruppin Street

Before

During

The conservation work

Plasterwork

Horizontal Emphasis

Historical vs Modern

After