W Prime Lobby | Michal Han Interior Design

Designing the public spaces and the lobby of the W-Prime have become a personal experience for the designer, Michal Han. Before considering the colors, compositions and senses of the space, Michal evaluated the strict functional needs of each space.

The vision of the project was to create a unique, colorful and vibrant space which allows visitors to both feel a sense of home whilst simultaneously transporting them into a world of fresh and exciting possibilities.

The main focal point of the building is created by the large cladded walls facing the entrance of the building's open lobby. These walls are entirely cladded by Itai Bar-On's Design Studio mimicking the texture of moving fabric. This both gives a sense of movement to the space and presents a reflection of light.  This central wall reaches an overall height of six meters and is then disconnected from the ceiling by an intentional gap filled with light which reflects itself on the dimensions of Itai Bar-On's tiles.

Following the unique concept of the wall an entrance counter can be found directly underneath similarly mimicking the wall's atmosphere of movement and three dimensional spatial conception. The unique design of this counter creates a sense of curiosity and intrigues visitors to take a closer look.

In contrast to the vibrant design features of the central walls, the outside walls of the lobby space are flat and grey in order to further enhance the main focal points of the design.

On the left side, a large six meter expansive chocolate colored library can be found filled with interesting art and books which are accessible by the buildings inhabitants.

On the opposite wall, a thin chocolate colored cladding becomes visible.

The lobby is further equipped with various comfortable and aesthetic seating areas providing a sense of relaxation. The seating areas of the space were designed in collaboration between the interior designer Michal Han and the top furniture designer Cappellini. The various furniture items were chosen to intentionally continue the constantly present contrast between the aesthetic view and the physicality of the materials of which it is made. This becomes present in the green spiral-shaped bench which fills the entrance hall of the lobby. From a distance, this bench appears slightly stiff but when physically touching or sitting within, its soft and gently materials become evident.

Next to the library, one can find various seating spaces designed both for personal seating and for group gatherings. This space is most prominently occupied by large cone shaped chairs and wave-like sofa's further reinforcing the atmospheric flow and movement of the design.

A white grand piano is located opposite the large library and creates an aspect of interactive design by inviting both visitors and locals alike to create music for the space.

Directly to the left of the entrance door to the lobby, a small waiting area has been created through the use of a large inviting sofa. This space is lit up by asymmetrical light features and is separated by the remainder of the lobby space by a colorful standing lamp.

The unique concepts which have been highlighted within the lobby spaces of the building further continue through the design of the elevators, each floors personal lobby and the underground parking. This can most prominently be seen in the graphics chosen for the signs throughout the building, the choice of both flooring tiles and wall tiles and the layout and selection of lighting.

After passing the main and public entrance space, the visitor is taken towards the more private SPA area of the building. Michal designed the SPA space through the use of clean and endless elegant lines and utilized glass doors in order to introduce a sense of transparency to the design. On one hand the design successfully managed to create an open endless space whilst simultaneously maintaining a sense of privacy for anyone accessing the area.

The relationship between the lobby of the building and its private SPA becomes further evident through Michal's choice of wall tiles to mimic the feeling of the lobby. The spa is cladded with large dark tiles which create sense of length and expansion to the space whilst contrasting the white wood sauna and the expansive amount of soft light.

The carpentry of the SPA area was designed in collaboration between Michal Han and her carpenter, artist and husband Hadar Han. Once again, the carpentry is designed with the inspiration of straight clean lines. The green color of the carpentry was chosen as a result of the green colored elements found in the graphics of the elevators and the furniture of the lobby therefore creating a relationship between all spaces of the building.

In the connecting space between the SPA area and the outside pool area, a comfortable waiting area may be found. This waiting area includes a large sofa which faces a decorative cladded wall. This cladded wall presents an extremely interesting focal point to the space as it includes several tiles which give the impression that they are opening. These opening are further highlighted through the incorporation of light features behind them in order to enhance their effect to the space.

To the side of this seating area, the buildings back entrance can be found leading towards the outside pool area and the gym room.  The gym room is designed with a glass façade with faces directly towards the pool, again enhancing the continues aspect of an endless design. The inside of the gym was design by Michal so that the majority of the gym equipment faces this glass view. The gym area is also enhanced by the incorporation of square wall tilling which in certain parts bulges out from the wall with light beneath, giving the space a sense of weightlessness contrasting the physicality of the purpose of a gym.

In conclusion, the designer, Michal Han has successfully accomplished to transform the public spaces of the WPrime lobby into a new, fresh and exciting environment. The spaces are both clean and elegant whilst simultaneously including many details allowing for the spaces to be perceived in a different way with each visit.

The many different spaces that make up the overall public space of the building all house varying functions and Michal designed each space accordingly whilst maintaining one rhythm of design which flows throughout the entire space.

Architecture: Avner Yashar

Interior Design: Michal Han

Furniture: Cappellini, Tollmans, Gal Gaon

Light: Mario Nanni/ Viabizzuno , Exclusive Light & Design

Vertigo wall: Studio Itai Bar On

Coverings and Sanitary: Mody

Rezina wall cover: Parqueteam

Flooring: Stone Gallery