D. Eytan / R. Lahav-Rigg
Architects & Planners

Ruth Lahav Archive

Beit David Institute, Abu Gosh

• Planning
  Ruth Lahav—Tony Rigg Architects, 1986-98
  Client: Beit David Institute/ Rothschild Foundation
  Built area: 7,000m²
  Structural engineer: Yosi Gordon, Jerusalem
  Plumbing engineer: Avraham Swartz, Jerusalem
  Electrical engineer: Itkin - Blum, Jerusalem
  H.V.A.C. engineer: Uri Greenbaum, Jerusalem
• The Area
  Beit David, a religious institution for the mentaly retarded, is situated on a southwest sloping site, adjacant to the hilltop church of Abu Gosh, commanding excellent views towards the coast.
• Design Concept
  This project is designed to provide residential accommodation for up to 200 mentally retarded adults and children, and a daycare centre for outpatients.
  The residential accommodation is organised into small home units, linked to central school, workshop, dining, medical and administrative facilities. via ramped pathways between the buildings.
  The day care centre includes workshops, clinic and a therapeutic swimming pool.
  The institute was designed with a carefully graded scale of environment and "exposure" for the individual, from the "private corner" in the bedrooms, through local and group living spaces, the protected inner courtyards, to the outside world: the intention was to provide an anvironment that caters to all levels of personal and social integration, with the atmosphere of a home rather than an institution.