About Knafo Klimor Architects
Seven Points for Sustainable Regionalism
Humanistic Approach
Architecture, above all, is a social discipline in the service of the individual and the collective. It carries great responsibility for the creation of humanistic environment in the design of public and private spaces.
Identity and Regionalism
Architecture reflects the cultural identity of a community. By its appearance and vocabulary architecture engraves the spiritual values of a people in its collective memory. Architecture- as a way of communication maintains a permanent dialogue with the language of the people. In our case Hebrew as a language creates a unique space for invention and development of the Israeli Architecture.
Sustainability
Limitation of earth resources drives us into necessity for redefining our living spaces and mode of life. Green architecture raises a challenge for the creation of new building programs and urban orders. Today architects have the privilege to participate in redesigning our environment.
Technology and Tradition
Implementation of technology innovations is essential to the development of architecture. But on the same time
preservation of valuable traditions is crucial to the continuous evolution of civilization. Therefore new interpretations of historical heritage must be in the basis of architectural conception.
Rational Globalization
The globalization movement leads to an international uniform culture based on western values threatening existing traditions and languages. Freedom tolerance and compassion are essential to preserve the richness of human heritages. Rational globalization is needed to create a smooth integration and assimilation of new invention in contemporary life.
Utopia as a Generator for Change
Since the early ages utopia was behind historical changes and revolutions. In architecture as in urban planning utopia was the generator behind the change of conceptions and orders. Utopia will remain the lighthouse to follow in recreating the way of living, the way of building.
New Urbanism for a Better Life
Half of earth population live in the cities and challenge its nature, shape and identity. In an era of sustainability and high technology urbanism has to invent new forms of gathering and physical orders for hosting human activities and for designing a better life.
Practice
Knafo Klimor Architects founded by David Knafo and Tagit Klimor in 1980, operates from 2 branches in Tel Aviv and in Haifa with a diverse staff including architects, urbanists and designers.
In over 28 years of practice, the firm has been responsible for the design of a wide variety of numerous large-scale projects in the highest standard:
· Public and institutional buildings
· Education and sports facilities
· Industrial and hi-tech plants
· Commercial complexes and office buildings
· Neighborhoods and residential buildings
· Urban design and town planning
Among the firm`s clients are government offices and local authorities, private developers and construction companies.
The strength of the firm is based on its commitment to building lasting relationship with its clients.
Knafo Klimor Architects is pursuing excellence in design and invention of new architectural expressions. Comprehensive approach, involvement throughout all phases of the design and construction process has consistently resulted in award-winning prizes for the firm`s professional achievements.
Much of the work has been published in professional magazines worldwide, and has been exhibited in numerous galleries and architectural institutions.
Knafo Klimor Architects is committed for:
· Humanistic approach in design
· Preservation of natural resources
· Development of sustainable architecture
· Development of sustainable regionalism
· Preservation of a community identity within rational globalization
Both partners David Knafo and Tagit Klimor have been teaching for several years in the Technion Institution in Haifa, as senior professors.
Team
Tagit Klimor
David Knafo
Awards
- 2016 Rakafot Elementary, Kiryat Bialik, Award for Outstanding Project in buildings Category, by Israeli Association of Construction & Infrastructure Engineers
- 2016 Rakafot Elementary, Kiryat Bialik, Project of the Year Award by “Architecture of Israel” (AI), second Prize
- 2016 Rakafot Elementary, Kiryat Bialik, RTFSA Award in Institutional (Built) category, by Re-thinking the Future, third Prize
- 2016 Rakafot Elementary, Kiryat Bialik, Design Award by the Design Award Association
- 2014 Honorary Fellowship for the year 2014, The Israeli Association of United Architects
- 2014 Israel Pavilion, Expo 2015 Italy, Winning proposal, Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- 2013 Port Campus, Haifa, Eilon Award for Urban Architecture, City of Holon
- 2013 Ramot Elementary, Beer Sheva, Municipality Beer Sheva
- 2012 Carmel Academic Center , Haifa, Pinchas Ayalon prize for Urban Architecture ,Award by Holon municipality
- 2012 “City Gate” of Rishon Lezion competition, Municipality of Rishon LeZion, First Prize
- 2011 Carmel Academic Center, Haifa, Emilio Ambasz Award for Green Project of the Year, Award by Architecture of Israel (AI), Third Prize
- 2011 Carmel Academic Center, Haifa, Project of the Year, Award by Domus Israel, First Prize
- 2011 Ashdod Academic Center, Ashdod Municipality, First Prize
- 2011 Ramot Neighborhood, Beer-Sheva, Israel Defence Force, Winning Entry
- 2010 Jerusalem Urban Installations, Tzahal City Square, Honorable mention, Israeli Architects Association
- 2009 Academic Library and Memorial the Ruppin Academic Center, “Five Best Architects in 2009”, Award of Excellence in Public Building Design Category, by “Binyan Vediur”
- 2009 Waterfront Promenade, Ashdod Municipality, Second prize
- 2009 Ashdod Artist Gallery, Ashdod Municipality, Winning Entry
- 2008 Expo Shanghai World 2010, Competition Finalists, Construction of the Israeli Pavilion, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- 2008 Porter School of Environment Studies competition, Honorable mention
- 2008 The Transparent House , Public Building Design, Award for Excellence, by “Klil Industries LTD”
- 2008 Megilat Or Synagogue Caesarea, Project of the Year Award by “Architecture of Israel” (AI)
- 2007 “Agro-Housing”, Wuhan, China, Winning Entry in an International Architecture Competition
- 2007 Andromada Sculpture Jaffa Port, Finalist in Competition
- 2006 Caesarea Hi-Tech Park, The Caesarea Development Company, Competition Winners
- 2006 Halal Saf Installation Competition, Tel Aviv Port, Competition Winner
- 2006 Maalot Conservatory, Project of the Year Award by “Architecture of Israel”(AI), Third Prize
- 2006 “Urban Life” Haifa, Engineering Administration Square, Haifa, Competition Winners
- 2005 “Megilat Or” Synagogue, Caesarea, Competition Winners
- 2000 Residence Towers, Sapir, Haifa,The Quality Prize by Haifa Municipality
- 1999 Academic Library and Memorial the Ruppin Academic Center, Competition Winners
- 1998 Sapir Hieghts in Haifa, Housing Design Award of Best Design, Competition Winners
- 1997 Sports Hall at “Shoam”, Merhav 97 Citation Award, Israeli Architects Association
- 1995 “Misgav” Culture Center, The Israeli Architects Association Award
- 1991 Sapir Heights, Haifa, Shikun Ovdim, Winning Entry
- 1985 The Public Place in the Kibbutz , The “Musa Harif” Award
Exhibitions
- 2014 Green Thoughts, ‘Architect House’ Gallery, April 2014
- 2014 Devouringness, City Lights, in Modiin, Israel
- 2014 Tit for Tat, Israeli Culture Week, Oviedo, Spain
- 2013 Earth pulse at Horizons, Arts Nature, Sancy, France
- 2013 EarthPulse, Horizons, Arts Nature , Sancy, pp 7-8,June.
- 2013 Fcity, CologneOFF 2013, Greece & India.
- 2012 Agro-Living Super- Super City, Video-Art Festival, Moscow, Russia
- 2012 Fcity, Super- Super City, Video-Art Festival, Moscow, Russia
- 2012 Earth Echoes, Ceramic Sculpture, Wilfrid Museum, HaZore’a, 30.3-1.8.2012
- curators: Shir Meller-Yamaguchi and Anat Turbowicz
- 2011 Depletion, Holot Me-Holon exhibition, Meirov house, 17.9-12.11.11
- 2011 Fcity, Bet- Hahomanim, Israel.
- 2011 Blurring Boundaries, UIA conference, Japan, 9.2011
- 2011 Urban Space 2011 – Stepping Out UIA conference, Japan, 9.2011
- 2010 Wood 2010, Virserum Art Museum, Sweden.
- 2010 Dwelling Fragments, Ramat Gan museum
- 2010 Agro Housing “The first Haifa Mediterranean Biennale of contemporary art” Carmel Academic College, Haifa.
- 2009 Megilat Or Synagogue, “This is Israel“, ZeZeZe Gallery, Tel Aviv Port.
- 2009 Here and Now, Israel Architecture and Design Convention, by “Domus”.
- 2008 Dwelling in Green- towards Sustainable Regionalism, ZeZeZe Gallery, Tel Aviv Port.
- 2008 Agro Housing – A New Way of Living, “Facing Tomorrow“, The Israeli Presidential Conference.
- 2007 Maalot Conservatorium, “This is Israel, Contemporary Architecture from Israel“, ZeZeZe Gallery, Tel Aviv Port.
- 2007 Agro-Housing, “China International Architectural Expo 2007“, Beijing.
- 2007 Ruppin Library and Memorial, “Here and Now“,”Ot Haitzuv” , Wohl Centre.
- 2007 The Israeli Embassy in Paris – Rehabilitation and reconstruction & Churches Path Kfar Cana – two case studies, “Conservation of historic buildings and sites – from study to realization“, The third assembly for the preservation of construction heritage, Acre.
- 2006 Haifa Police Headquarters, Neot Geriatric Hospital & Eco Housing, “Haifachtura“, Kastra, Haifa.
- 2006 Ruppin Library and Memorial, “The Green Campus“, Beit Berl college.
- 2006 The Churches Street – Kfar Cana, “Our streets“, Merhav, Tel Aviv Port.
- 2006 Maalot Music Center, “Architecture in Detail“, The Israeli Architects association, Beit Yad Labanim Haifa ,The 5th Israeli Architecture Biennial, Jerusalem, December 2005. Tel Aviv, Jaffa , May 2006
- 2000 Israeli Architecture, Arsenal Pavillion – Paris.
- 1999 Public Buildings in Israel, the Community Centers Association.
- 1998 Israeli Architecture 50th Year Anniversary – Achievements of Israeli Architecture.
- 1997 Shoham Sports Hall, “Merhav 1997” – Israeli Architects Association.
- 1995 Projects in Progress, “Haifa 2000” – Auditorium Haifa.
- 1993 Carmilo Hotel, “From the Architects Drawer“, Bezalel School of Design, Jerusalem.
- 1992 Neot Ashkelon Neighborhood, Ministry of Housing exhibition, the Israel Trade Fairs and Convention Center.
- 1991 Neot Ashkelon Neighborhood, ”Israeli Architecture, homeland – resurrection“, Russia.
- 1990 “Tel Aviv Kiosks“, Tel Aviv Art Gallery.
- 1989 “Architectural Thoughts“, Horev Gallery, Haifa.
- 1987 Housing Exhibition, The Israel Trade Fairs and Convention Center.