The Israeli embassy in Paris is located in a nineteen-century building, close to the Champs Ellysee avenue. In 2002, the building was burned completely leaving its envelope considerably damaged.
The architectural concept of the embassy reconstruction was to create a harmonic combination between two cultures: the 19th century French architecture and modern contemporary Israeli architecture. The embassy building became as a place that celebrates the marriage of two languages and two cultural identities in a condition of a dialogue.
The challenge was to preserve the historical architecture stone façade and classical main staircase of the building while creating an entirely new modern structure with Jewish spiritual values incorporated in the old existing stone envelope. An inner courtyard was created carrying and intimate space with a small fountain, a stone wall, 3 olive trees and a sculpture to create a space of a special atmosphere thus promoting the idea of peace, freedom and tolerance.

2004