Preserving Heritage for the Future
The historic Rok family house in Jaffa's Ajami neighborhood, built in 1909 in the tradition of local Arab residential architecture, represents an important layer of the area's urban and cultural heritage. After years of neglect and later additions that obscured its original character, the Tel Aviv Municipality initiated a project to restore the building and adapt it for a new public use as a day center for children and youth at risk. The project sought to create a warm, supportive, and secure environment for the local community, providing spaces for meals, educational enrichment, social activities, and daily support.
Preservation for a Social and Educational Purpose
The design builds on the traditional spatial organization of the original house, which naturally accommodated the new program. The central liwan was preserved as the heart of the building and adapted as a shared activity space, while the former residential wings were converted into activity rooms, service areas, and a fully equipped kitchen supporting the center's daily operations. The interior palette draws inspiration from the building's original patterned tiles, combining black, blue-gray, and mustard tones with geometric motifs characteristic of the period. These elements establish a visual connection between the restored architecture and the contemporary intervention. Together with outdoor play areas and seating spaces, the renewed interior creates a welcoming and engaging environment that supports daily activity while giving children a sense of belonging within a building rooted in the history of Jaffa.
