Location - not ideal, because of the intensive traffic on the two adjacent roads. However, it's centrally positioned and the neighborhood is considered a good one. A two minutes drive gets you to a railway station and a mall on one side, and to a Tel-Aviv metropolitan area cemetery {Kiryat Shaul} on the other side. (Strange coincidence - the only other residential circular building I can remember seeing, is also placed near a cemetery (in Ghivataim city, Nahalat Yitzhak neighborhood - but it's a much lower building).
the junction
Architects claim that a round building has advantages over a standard rectangular one : it is seismically more resistant, it is structurally more efficient (no dead corners), it is also energy efficient in that it withstands better storms, heat, cold; hence lower utility bills. Even the construction and maintenance costs are said to be lower.
So why is this type of building scarce , at least in my neck of the woods? How come the Rotunda (round) architecture is not more prevailing in this part of the world?
Perhaps it has to do with some interior issues: they say standard furniture doesn't go too well with curved walls, there's need for custom made furniture; straight walls are better for hanging on pictures, etc.. In addition, for some reason, it's hard to get a planning permit, and bureaucracy, as one knows, kills projects.
Personally, I would love to live in a circular house. I would feel proud to dwell in such a sort of unique structure.
Perhaps it has to do with some interior issues: they say standard furniture doesn't go too well with curved walls, there's need for custom made furniture; straight walls are better for hanging on pictures, etc.. In addition, for some reason, it's hard to get a planning permit, and bureaucracy, as one knows, kills projects.
Personally, I would love to live in a circular house. I would feel proud to dwell in such a sort of unique structure.
I wonder if flats are really circular, interesting!
ReplyDeleteI love this type of architecture. Although, I think, because of its difficult design it thus might be more expensive to build. Still a beautiful building. :)
ReplyDeleteOLA,
ReplyDeleteSo it would seem: round floors, curved walls. I intend to visit the inside, after the entrance floor is completed; then I'll be more clever about the flats.
Angelina Pratt,
ReplyDeleteI also think it's not for those with a limited budget. However, they say the parts are prefabricated, the construction takes less time, and so costs are lower than building a standard structure. Anyway, the circular building is indeed beautiful.
I like the look and the great features it offers.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the states will do more like it. Have you
been following the 3 ring circus in our politics?
I have never seen an election this crazy.
yvonne
La Petite Gallery,
ReplyDeleteI understand from your comment that the circular buildings are not common in USA either. Pity.
Yes, the elections campaign in your country looks rather like a big circus. Just imagine that'll go on until November!!
Many farmers have died in round barns. These are different I believe.
ReplyDeleteOne Fly,
ReplyDeleteI would like to think that the farmers didn't die because of the barns, although life was not easy in those round structures. I suppose, it was hard to build them, and they lacked the comfort of the modern round constructions of today.
Just being a smart a__. Ity's because they couldn't find a corner to pee in.
ReplyDeleteWell the building does have a nice shape, but I still prefer the older type of buildings, probably because I am living in a rural countryside which is full of old and ancient houses with rarely a modern structure anywhere to be seen
ReplyDeleteVera,
ReplyDeleteOld habits are hard to change. But why change? After all, people have been living in rectangular houses for centuries, and they like it that way. A house like this in the village or in the city, can easily have additions, and more than one door - which is important to family and guests. I sure can understand those people who prefer the common shape of building, namely the rectangular one.
yeh a circular building has it's challenges but i like it. Here in NZ we have a round parliament building called the beehive. It is a bit wider at the bottom. I haven't see any circular houses around.
ReplyDeleteMarja,
ReplyDeleteI googled the NZ parliament complex. The beehive is indeed wider at the bottom than the circular building in my post, but the shape and its history are very interesting. Thanks for sharing the info.
I read your comment that you intend to visit the inside and I can't wait to see the inside! To see how they solved the problems of handing pictures and placing furniture. It's a beautiful building and I would love to live there also!
ReplyDeleteI've just read an article with details and some inside pictures. All the flats in the building are sold out, so there's no showroom any more. It appears that only the outer line is round; things inside are straight (I feel a bit disappointed about that).
ReplyDeleteI don't really care most of the times what shape a building has until you bring up the aesthetics and/or how efficient it is, then I would of course prefer a circular building. Besides, deep down inside I would really feel more homey & cosy living in one.
ReplyDeleteMy father used to tell me once, when I saw something similar like this building, that 'Nature never has 4 corners nature is soft & round... so a room with corners can not be right/natural'.
I guess he was right.
Pink Panthress,
ReplyDeleteHi Nokta,
Your father (RIP) was a clever person. I like his words on Nature.
Anyway, maybe it's childish or even foolish on my part, but the outer shape of a building is the first thing to draw my attention and sometimes make me 'fall in love' with it.
Duta
ReplyDeleteI have heard all the pros of round buildings before but just as there, we do not have any of size here. There is a round house just up the street from us and I have often wished to knock and ask May I look around? I guess I will wish on as I cannot be so brash. Peace
Lady Di Tn,
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean. I wished to enter the round building, but I couldn't as there was still work going on at the entrance floor.When it'll be finished and populated,I'll have your problem; I'll feel uncomfortable to knock at somebody's door and ask permission to take a look.
Wouldn't that be tricky, indoors. OUtside, it looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteJennifer A.Jilks,
ReplyDeleteYes, indeed. Now that it's getting the finishing touch,the building looks like a real gem. Until 2012, there was a famous garden restaurant on that spot. It seems the shape of the new building will retain the spot's fame; people are not indifferent, and tend to look in its direction while walking or driving.
The round log cabins were popular in the 70's called Rondette's
ReplyDeleteI always thought they were cute.
yvonne
La Petite Gallery,
ReplyDeleteRondette - sounds french; 'rond' in french means round .Im sure those cabins were cute.