ADA KARMI-MELAMEDE ARCHITECTS was established in 1985 upon Karmi-Melamede's return from fifteen years of teaching and working in the United States. The practice has been involved in a range of projects of public and private scale, including The Supreme Court of Israel, numerous educational buildings, research facilities, industrial plants, housing and private residences. The work extends from large scale urban design to small scale interiors, including custom designed furniture and fittings. "We strive to create buildings and environments that are responsive to each individual program and setting, and express the way they are made through careful detailing in the design phase and continuous involvement in the construction process. To the extent possible, we rely on local building technologies and systems as well as available materials. We work in an environment where local craft and industry are still very prevalent. This forces us to continually experiment and challenge our instincts and insights. A constant dialogue with our clients and an ongoing collaboration with our consultants support the entire design process. We believe that Architecture is about making real places and we strive to minimize the gap between substance and appearance. Creative architecture is about now and before, deriving its essence from extending and interpreting both for the long term."
1963 B.A. in Architecture. Technion-Israel Institute of Technology. 1961-1962 The Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, School of Architecture, Haifa, Israel. 1956-59 Architectural Association School of Architecture, London, England.
Work in progress
The Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies, Jerusalem Includes: classrooms, Beit midrash, library and offices - 100,000 sq.ft.
Avi-Chai Center, Jerusalem Educational - cultural center - 165,000 sq.ft. Completion scheduled for 2006.
The Open University, Raanana Master Plan for the entire facility covering a 15 acre site. First phase includes a new library, classrooms, and administrative offices - 400,000 sq.ft. Completion scheduled for 2004.
Ramat Hanadiv Visitor's Center Visitor's facilities, 9,000 sq.ft. Completion scheduled for 2006.
Teva-Pharmaceutical Factory, Ramat Hovav Administration Building - 25,000 sq.ft. Completion scheduled for 2005.
Adler Villa, Jerusalem Private house in Yemin Moshe – 4,000 sq.ft. Completion scheduled for 2004.
Ofek Villa, Bnei Tzion Private house in Bnei Tzion – 3,500 sq.ft. Completion scheduled for 2005
Western-Wall Heritage Center, Jerusalem Educational center – 43000 sq.ft. Completion scheduled for 2009.
Pedestrian Bridge, Ramat-Gan Completion scheduled for 2007.
Work completed
Brodetzky Residential Development Residential development of 130 units in North Tel-Aviv - 200,000 sq.ft. Completion scheduled for 2005.
Ben-Gurion University, Beer Sheva Master Plan for the entire campus, . Phase 1 completed - 1996. Phase 2 - presently continues.
Ein Harod Museum, Kibbutz Ein Harod Addition to the existing Museum. 20,000 sq.ft. Design phase 1 - completed 1994. Construction of new offices - completed, 1996. New archives and bookshop - completed, 1998.
Ben-Gurion Airport, Lod Main terminal - Land side terminal (with Ram Karmi and S.O.M., New York) - Design documentation completed 1997 - 600,000 sq.ft. Construction began 1998.
Weizman Institute of Science, Rehovot Master plan and detailed layout (with Ram Karmi).
Herzikowitz Villa, Tzahala Private house in a northern suburb of Tel-Aviv - 4,500 sq.ft. Completed, 1997.
Bavli Villa, Harashim Private house in Upper Galilee - 3,200 sq.ft. Completed, 1997.
Rabinowitz Villa, Savyon Private house in a suburb of Tel-Aviv - 4,000 sq.ft. Completed, 1996.
Meroz Villa, Kfar Shmariahu Private house in a suburb of Tel-Aviv - 3,000 sq.ft. Completed, 1996.
The Israel Supreme Court Building, Jerusalem Pedestrian bridge and forecourt (with Ram Karmi). Completed, 1995.
Mirkin Villa, Tel-Aviv Private house in Tel-Aviv - 3,000 sq.ft. Completed, 1995.
The Israel Institute for Democracy, Jerusalem Offices and conference facilities in Rehavia - 6,000 sq.ft. Completed, 1995.
Habima Square, Tel-Aviv Master Plan proposal for the main civic center of Tel-Aviv. Plan includes a new Arts and Crafts Museum - 30,000 sq.ft. of commercial space and 200,000 sq.ft. of underground parking. Unbuilt.
Gold Villa, Kfar Shmariahu Private house in a suburb of Tel-Aviv - 3,500 sq.ft. Completed, 1994.
Moritz Tuchler Brokerage House, Tel-Aviv Office building in a landmark area of Tel-Aviv - 28,000 sq.ft. Completed, 1993.
The Israel Supreme Court Building, Jerusalem First prize (with Ram Karmi) in international competition held in 1986. Final project size of 250,000 sq.ft. Commission includes all the exterior/interior design, custom furniture and landscaping. Completed in November 1993. Second phase completed 1995.
Kaufmann Villa, Tzahala Private house in a northern suburb of Tel-Aviv - 4,000 sq.ft. Completed, 1991.
Keter Bookstore, Tel-Aviv Interior design on the main shopping street of Tel-Aviv - 4,000 sq.ft. Completed, 1987.
Rafiah Villa, Afeka Private house in a suburb of Tel-Aviv - 2,000 sq.ft. Completed, 1986.
Frankel Villa, Kokhav Yair Private house north of Tel-Aviv - 2,500 sq.ft. Completed, 1984.
Arel Electronics Industry, Yavne An industrial complex to house four factories - 100,000 sq.ft. First phase totaled 25,000 sq.ft. Completed, 1983.
Frankel Villa, Afeka Private house in a suburb of Tel-Aviv - 3,000 sq.ft. Addition and renovation of an existing house - Completed, 1983.
U.S. projects
Domore Showroom, Chicago . A furniture showroom in the Merchandise Mart. 4,500 sq.ft. Completed in 1982.
China Seas Showroom, N.Y. A textile showroom in the D&D building. 2,000 sq.ft. Completed in 1980.
Manuel Canovas Showroom, N.Y. A textile showroom in the D&D building. 2,000 sq.ft. Completed in 1980.
Brown Apartment, N.Y. Renovation of an apartment on Park Avenue. 2,500 sq.ft. Completed in 1984.
Roosevelt Island Competition, N.Y. A housing competition. Proposal was among the twenty winning designs. Not built. Submitted in 1978.
Long Island City, N.Y. Transportation and land use patterns study. Study commissioned by the Municipal Art Society. 1976-1977.
Con Edison, N.Y. Master Plan for Con Edison. Study of land use and air right development of Con Edison on its 20 acre site in Kips Bay. Commissioned in 1976.
Second Avenue Subway Study, N.Y. Study of possible mixed use development along Second Avenue. Study commissioned by the N.Y.City Planning Commission which resulted in the adoption of zoning changes for the city of N.Y. Based on this study, new legislation for N.Y.City transfer zones around subway stations was passed in 1975 by the City of N.Y. 1972-1975. (with R.Ramati)
Research Projects
1983 - present Architecture in Palestine under the British Mandate. Research, documentation and graphic presentation of Modern Architecture of the 30's and 40's. Book and exhibition scheduled for 2004-2005. 1976 - Long Island City Study - Published in 1976.(Library of Congress #76-26763)
