Lital Smuk Fabian
Guy Nardy
Original Architects: Yaakov Rechter Avraham Karavan
Amit Geron
As an extension of Habima Square and the Cultural Hall, Jacob Garden was designed in the 1960s through a collaboration between the architectural firm Rechter, Zarhi, Perry and Tel Aviv’s landscape architect Avraham Karavan. The garden was conceived as an urban continuation of the Cultural Hall and the Helena Rubinstein Pavilion for Contemporary Art. Around three ancient sycamore trees, a system of stairs and ramps was designed to enable a natural transition between different levels, connecting the Cultural Hall lobby, the entrance to the Helena Rubinstein Pavilion, and Culture Square.
Lital Smuk Fabian
Guy Nardy
Original Architects: Yaakov Rechter Avraham Karavan
Amit Geron
The conservation design ofJacob Garden emphasizes all spatial levels—the ground level, the second level,and the pergola above. At ground level, all non-native vegetation was removedand replaced with original plant species. A new pool was designed following thecontour of the original pool, incorporating a pedestrian crossing within it.
The entire waterproofingsystem was replaced, all paving was renewed, and the pergola was restoredthrough concrete repairs and the reconstruction of its distinctive plasterfinish. Additionally, and for the first time, the garden was illuminated throughthe pergola structure, reinforcing its primary function as a cultural complexthat is particularly active at night.
The entrance to Jacob Garden was redesigned: instead of a ramp leading pedestrians to the second level, a new ramp now connects the boulevard directly to Habima Square and Rothschild Boulevard. This change allows for direct access to the square while preserving the experience of viewing the site from the second level, through a walk past the sycamore trees down to the Mann Auditorium level.
The entire waterproofingsystem was replaced, all paving was renewed, and the pergola was restoredthrough concrete repairs and the reconstruction of its distinctive plasterfinish. Additionally, and for the first time, the garden was illuminated throughthe pergola structure, reinforcing its primary function as a cultural complexthat is particularly active at night.
