ANALYSIS OF PROGRAM AND SITE

 

The Program


The program would include a 2 clusters would account for and attract different demographic to the community.  That is there is a growing number of singles that wish to live independently in the settlement. 
Due to the nature of the demographics at Bat ayin that the majority of the population works in the settlement itself. The program should include amenities that would better the community.  For example since most of the population are artist or agriculturalist and therefore have items of different nature to sell.  The present situation does not account for any local transaction to be made unless the interested clientele goes directly to the home of the artist or farmer. 

The first cluster would accommodate 3 single-family houses whose main income comes from the biological vegetables they produce. 
Single family homes 3 units 
Young couple and single apartments 2units 
The shared land would be used as a collective biological gardens

The second cluster for the artists in the community 
single-family homes 3units 
Young couple's home 4units 
there would be a shared studio space available for the artists of these units as well as a boutique for the sale of the products produced at Bat Ayin.



 

Here are different concepts that would be considered as an integral part of the programe.
 

Threshold
Water 
Space
Orientation
Materials
Other Considerations
 
 

Threshold

The threshold or passage way is an important concept. The Mezuzah is place at right side the opening of every passage (except for bathroom) reinforcing the transition. Traditionally the placement of the mezuzah protects the 'space' and therefore fills it with holiness. It marks a transition between spaces and thus encourages one to reflect upon his entry and his actions in that particular space. There is a strong tradition to kiss the Mezuzah and reflect upon it when entering and exiting a room. This is clear fact that Judaism places importance to thresholds
 

This will be translated in a hierarchical manner throughout the cluster the first being most significant and being felt and remembered upon entry of every unit and room.
 

Water

Water is a very important element for it is one that is considered to purify one from impurities. There are many actions that one does that would require a hand washing ritual. That is, after cutting ones nails, going to the bathroom, after showering, after touching the feet or any part of the body that was covered, walking up and before eating bread. 
The presence and placement of sinks are of great importance.
the first thing one must do upon opening the eyes in the morning is to wash the hands. One cannot touch you cannot touch the orifices of the body i.e. eyes ears, mouth etc., until the hands are washed. The First law of the Shulchan Aruch explains that one cannot walk more than 7 feet without washing the hands. Further, one should avoid walking and wash while he is still in bed. the Zohar (mystical Jewish text) is very harsh with this law and states that who does not wash upon waking is doomed in death. 
there are many reasons for this ritual. the most important one would be that since sleep is considered one sixtieth of death (that is considered impure), once awake all impurity resides within the hands.
Another important time to wash would be before having bread at a meal. It is important not to leave the room where meal would take place and therefore requiring a sink in the dining room.
a sink would also be required outside of the bathroom area, since the hand washing should preferably not be done in the bathroom
 

This will be translated as a unit of something in the cluster. (it has not yet been determined) it will maybe be a Mikvah used for daily purification and constructed with specific laws.
 

Sense of space...

In Judaism the setting up of distinctions is marked. The sense of space it is regarded as the time distinctions. Any separation in a space refers to a separation in time. For example, there havdalah ceremony separates the "sacred from profane" and the evening prayer separates the "darkness from light" and so on. This is an important concept to understand the sense of space that Judaism refers to. 

Special Orientations

Orientation of rooms is also important to consider. According to the Shulchan Aruch one could only sleep in the north-south direction with his feet pointing southwards and facing the exit door of the room. The reason given is, that the Shchina (Divine presence) is directed from east to west

Materials

The significance of the materials discussed earlier will lead to a hierarchical and selective choice of material.  For example the founding wall most exterior will be stone and leading up to more refined materials as the spaces get more specialized.

Special Considerations

When designing a house it is important to consider designing for the various Jewish holidays. For instance, for the holiday of Soukkot, an outdoor space must be designated for the building of the Soukka(outdoor room).
For Passover, the design must incorporate special kitchen accommodations. For the holiday of Chanoukah there must be a special accommodation for the placement of the chanoukia at the left post of the door entrance