Yehoshua Sorkin House

This residential building was built in the International Style by Arch. Joseph Kashdan and Eng. Elisha Shimshoni between the years 1934-1935. As a residential building with a commercial ground floor, the building integrally constitutes part of the urban fabric of Nahalat Binyamin Street between Rothschild Boulevard and the pedestrian zone. Nachalat Binyamin Street was, and continues to be a central urban artery combining housing and commercial uses while exhibiting a variety of architectural styles.
The building is characterized by material and design simplicity as well as functionality and minimalism all of which characterize the International Style prevalent at the time of its establishment. Planned as a single volume, the main façade is highlighted by typical stylistic elements which accentuate horizontality. These include shelf balconies with decorative geometric iron railings, recessed plasterwork and recurrent horizontally aligned windows.

Address: Nahalat Binyamin Street 37, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
Constructed: 1903
Documented: 2016
Client: Jaffa House of events

1936

Yehoshua Sorkin House in a historical map. The building is the fifth from the bottom

Originally the building was built as a three-story residence with a commercial ground floor and two residential floors above. The main entrance to the staircase leading to the residential apartments is located on a side façade, separating it from the commercial front facing the street. The remaining facades were designed with functionality in mind and display characteristic modernist elements.
The building was relatively well maintained over the years though in need of full restorative work. Building additions include a fourth residential level and a set-back rooftop floor.

The conservation work

Design elements of the additional floors compliment the distinctive historical details, while giving a fresh twist of modern expression. Conservation work included preserving the existing structure and the construction of building additions above and to the rear. Restoration of plasterwork and metalwork and reconstruction of carpentry details. Plasterwork included the rehabilitation of the recessed strip accompanying the main front windows which lend a horizontal emphasis to the façade. Attention was paid to the restoration of the stairwell including the original terrazzo stairs along with the built-in balustrade detail and the handrail. The decorative iron railing on the console balconies was conserved and reinterpreted on the fourth floor. Traditional materials and methods were used in the design of the additional floors with a nod to the original building, while given a contemporary interpretation.

The conservation work International Style Commercial Ground Floor Horizontal Emphasis

International Style

The building is characterized by stylistic elements typical of the International Style accentuating horizontality- including a recurring recessed plaster strip the width of the façade as well as a continuous horizontal gap crowning the fourth floor.

Commercial Ground Floor

The commercial facade on the ground floor allows for a continuation of the commercial street. This floor is defined by the large glass-fronted display windows and additional horizontally set upper windows. These architectural elements create a distinction between the commercial floor and the residential floor above.

Horizontal Emphasis

Cantilever balconies highlight the main façade and are accentuated further by horizontally patterned iron railings. The protruding volumes of the balconies are counterbalanced by the sunken plasterwork, enhancing the distinctive play of light and shadow on the facade.

Yehoshua Sorkin House

Before

During

The conservation work

International Style

Commercial Ground Floor

Horizontal Emphasis

After