Modern Cave House With Sea Views

An old Jaffa house was transformed into a modern cave retreat with adorable sea views and light filled interiors

An old Jaffa house was transformed into a modern cave retreat with adorable sea views and light-filled interiors

Pitsou Kedem architects has refurbished a historic apartment in Jaffa, the ancient port city located south of Tel Aviv’s urban center in Israel. Conceived as a ‘modern cave’, the project involved restoring the original scale of the structure’s various volumes, while simultaneously illuminating the dimly lit spaces. In order to bring daylight into the home, the design team oriented the living accommodation towards the sea, which — thanks to new sightlines — remains visible throughout the scheme.

Pitsou Kedem architects has united the existing spaces, transforming them from small individual rooms into a sequence of brightly lit, functional spaces. The design team began by removing decoration from the ceiling arches and covering them in white plaster. Conversely, the original dome above the kitchen, previously covered in layers of plaster, has been uncovered. Finally, a new concrete surface with accented stones makes the apartment’s floor level consistent.

The rooms making up this old Jaffa apartment came together over hundreds of years — each with its own character and ground level. The newly integrated spaces are not closed with doors, but left open — allowing views to the sea from each one of them. consequently, in addition to their designated function, the spaces also serve as a transitional hallway. Black tin has been used throughout the scheme to emphasize doorways and to hide new technical systems. Get inspired by the gorgeous photos below!

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The designers opted for modern colors like black and white and materials like black tin both for outdoors and indoors

The designers opted for modern colors like black and white and materials like black tin both for outdoors and indoors

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This is an entrance with a black tin door, a black table and metal chairs and a cool modern glass bubble chandelier

This is an entrance with a black tin door, a black table and metal chairs and a cool modern glass bubble chandelier

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There's a shelving unit in the cave niche used for storage

There's a shelving unit in the cave niche used for storage

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Black tin has been used throughout the scheme to emphasize doorways

Black tin has been used throughout the scheme to emphasize doorways

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The living room is light-filled, with modern upholstered furniture and stunning sea views

The living room is light-filled, with modern upholstered furniture and stunning sea views

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The kitchen is black and white, with a large kitchen island and additional light everywhere

The kitchen is black and white, with a large kitchen island and additional light everywhere

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The ancient stone ceilings are neighboring with modern metal net doors and minimalist lights

The ancient stone ceilings are neighboring with modern metal net doors and minimalist lights

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The bedroom is white, with a black bed, eye-catchy black clothes rack and a light veneer wardrobe, the sea view is amazing

The bedroom is white, with a black bed, eye-catchy black clothes rack and a light veneer wardrobe, the sea view is amazing

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Splashes of color have been used sporadically

Splashes of color have been used sporadically

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A small office has been included as part of the refurbishment

A small office has been included as part of the refurbishment

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The bathroom is also minimalist, with a seamless glass shower

The bathroom is also minimalist, with a seamless glass shower

Source: designboom