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Contrasts Collide in the AMB House for a Warm, Industrial Interior

06.28.24 | By
Contrasts Collide in the AMB House for a Warm, Industrial Interior

Cool mingles with warmth. Solid reveals void. And thick rests against thin. In the context of human perception, people possess a primordial affinity for things in seeming opposition. Leaning into this principal, architect Oshir Asaban of his eponymous firm juxtaposes walnut wood with steely metallics for a visual language that yields multiple attention-grabbing moments in the AMB House design – a private residence located in Shoham, Israel. From bold, contemporary interventions to more tame, traditional references, guests are greeted with a daring interior full of alluring contrasts. Don’t let the tepid exterior fool you. Hints of steel and wood, which articulate the floor plates, tease of an exciting interior where material worlds collide in new ways just beyond the threshold.

Modern living room with large windows, a gray sectional sofa, wooden chairs, a round coffee table, an abstract rug, and wall art. Shelves with decor items are built into a wood-paneled wall.

A modern living room features a gray sofa, armchair, wooden accent chair, and a staircase with vertical railings. Large windows on the right let in natural light, highlighting the contemporary decor.

The programming comprises an entry, open living space with contiguous kitchen, dining nook, two children’s rooms with a corresponding bath, and primary bedroom with en suite plus a generous closet, all spread over some 2,700 square feet and across three floors from basement to first.

Modern open-concept kitchen and living area with large windows, glass doors, a staircase with cable railing, a round dining table, and barstools at a kitchen island with pendant lights above.

A bright living room with large windows, two modern chairs, a circular rug with blue and green patterns, a small table, and a view of a garden with various plants outside.

Outdoor kitchen with a grill, countertop, drawers, and a sink overlooking greenery and houses in the distance.

A covered patio with a white dining set for six and a separate seating area with a loveseat, chairs, and a table. The walls have large windows and a wooden ceiling with two ceiling fans.

Wood slats on the underside of the first floor plate pull people in and push sight lines through to a nearly uninterrupted vista from indoors to outdoors. That same wood treatment finds new purpose on a variety of wall panels throughout acting as screens to conceal a bookcase in the living room, bar in the dining area, and rounded island in the kitchen. When not in use, those panels become captivating backdrops for living.

Modern interior with a wooden floating staircase, minimalistic shelves, a white armchair, and contemporary decor.

Modern kitchen with wooden dining table, chairs, and an open shelving unit displaying ceramics. A sleek staircase with vertical cables leads to the upper level. A large window allows natural light in.

Anchoring the main floor is a feature staircase, which straddles the entertainment and eating zones while still preserving relative transparency across the ground level. Thin metal cables serve as an outer rail against the wooden stairs and find material correspondence in the shelving concealed by the built-ins. Ascending to the upper floor, guests happen upon the private quarters in what feels like a retreat as each of the three bedrooms maximize their breathtaking view of the surrounding greenery. Conversely, the basement houses a play space for the children.

Modern dining area with floor-to-ceiling windows, a table with wooden chairs, minimalist decor, and a staircase with thin vertical railings leading to an upper floor. The room is well-lit with natural light.

A modern kitchen with a large island featuring green bar stools, a wooden table with chairs, and large windows providing natural light. Decor includes plants and various kitchen accessories.

Modern kitchen with light-colored cabinets, a white countertop, a stove, and a window casting grid-like shadows. There is a green plant and a lamp on the counter. The floor has a polished finish.

Modern kitchen with white cabinets, a wooden island featuring a white countertop, green upholstered bar stools, a round wooden dining table with chairs, and a shelf displaying decorative items.

The home’s neutral palette and earthen hues provide a respite for the din of daily life outside its walls. “I wanted to create the feeling of a holiday home, in front of the endless and green open landscape,” Asaban says. “This theme unfolds seamlessly, creating a sense of cohesion and sophistication.” The kitchen blends champagne-colored metal with the warmth of walnut woods tempering an otherwise contemporary aesthetic. A vibrant rug in a mixture of blue, green, and gold builds upon that creamy cabinetry combination while injecting color from the surrounding landscape. Guests get a sense of being in a highly curated space without the pressure of the staging feeling too precious to relax.

A modern interior space with large windows casting sunlight on the walls. Two horizontal cylindrical light fixtures hang from the ceiling. The walls are painted white, with brass accents seen on fixtures.

View of a bedroom through an open door, featuring a neatly made bed, a small side table, and wooden flooring illuminated by sunlight streaming through a window.

A bedroom with a double bed, neutral-colored bedding, two side tables, wall-mounted lamps, a plush stool, and a fluffy rug on wooden flooring. A ceiling fan and a partially open door are visible.

“Clean lines create a very neutral background on which the details of the furniture, lighting, and styling are dressed,” Asaban adds. “The spaces are enhanced in size with carpentry that stretches from end to end in the walls in front of an open and ventilated facade that faces the open landscape that can be seen through the impressive white wooden windows.”

A sunlit bedroom with a large bed, light beige bedding, and a cushioned headboard. A glass door opens to a balcony with a view of greenery.

Modern bathroom featuring a double walk-in shower with glass doors and rain showerheads, a black countertop with built-in sink, and warm lighting.

Modern bathroom with a minimalist design featuring a black countertop with a rectangular sink, dual faucets, large mirrors, and concealed lighting. A white towel is placed on a glass partition.

A modern walk-in closet showcasing illuminated glass cabinets filled with handbags and other accessories, a central vanity with lighted mirror, and neatly arranged shoes below.

A modern, two-story house with cream-colored walls and black railings. Both levels feature balconies with glass doors. The bottom level has additional windows and surrounding greenery.

To view more of the architect’s work visit oshir.com.

Photography by Sivan Askayo.

With professional degrees in architecture and journalism, New York-based writer Joseph has a desire to make living beautifully accessible. His work seeks to enrich the lives of others with visual communication and storytelling through design. When not writing, he teaches visual communication, theory, and design.