Results of the competition for the art academy in Jerusalem

The jury published the results of the public international competition for the university campus of the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem on July 8, 2007, in which the Turkish-German team Archs. Aysin Ipekci + Cem Yurtsever emerged victorious. The Academy, which offers ten artistic disciplines and is celebrating its centenary this year, hopes to establish its new school in the center of Jerusalem, where it originally has its roots. The campus is located in the so-called Russian Quarter on the border between the historic center and new developments. Currently, the Bezalel Academy is situated far from the city on Mount Scopus. In addition to the winner, the project by the Italian office Marazzi Architetti also received a special mention. Finalists included the London-based FOA and Xaveer de Geyter from Belgium.
According to the jury, the winning entry responded best to the site, planning it and cohesively completing it. It optimizes the qualities of the place and successfully integrates them into both indoor and outdoor spaces. The design sensitively responds to the historical context and relates to its surroundings. It effectively utilizes traditional Jerusalem architectural elements: courtyards, gardens, rooftop landscapes, and facades. The establishment of the winning design will be beneficial for both the university and the public. The vision and mission of the academy are interpreted excellently in this design. Link>