Memorial Garden and Community Center, Ramat Yishai, Israel | Entry

An Open Public Space is one of the most important concepts in Urban planning, but too many times it is used to describe spaces that are "leftovers" or those whom their land-use is yet to be established. More then that, when a public open space is finally planned next to a public building, they are separated with a fence, not really connected to each other and not really open to the public.

The memorial center is an opportunity to re-examine the relations between public buildings and open public spaces. Public buildings should be available and accessible to the public, especially in a small community like Ramat Yishai. In stead of a gate, a door and a public building closed to its surroundings, we purpose a large garden, within it different pavilions for different activities. These are small, independent, accessible, and friendly pavilions. They allow a future expansions and constitute a convenient target for a selective fund-razing for each pavilion.