MIDBARIUM, a fusion between brutalism and sustainability

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The MIDBARIUM – whose name derives from the Hebrew word "MIDBAR", which means desert – is a captivating example of sustainable architecture that integrates seamlessly with the arid desert environment that characterises Be'er Sheva. The city with over , inhabitants, located kilometres south of Tel Aviv, is rich in history and, as it borders the Negev desert, is also known as the "Capital of the Desert". From biblical times to the challenges of modernity, it has witnessed multiple transformations, becoming a testament to resilience and adaptability. The demographic boom of the s, triggered by the formation of the State of Israel, pushed Be'er Sheva into a period of rapid growth and change.

What was once a modest military outpost of , people, soon blossomed into a thriving conurbation in the heart of the Negev desert and, like other Israeli cities, became a canvas for architects eager to explore new Phone Number List dimensions of urban life, inspired by Le Corbusier's visionary modernism. The Jack, Joseph & Morton Mandell Animal Park therefore fits within a highly distinctive historical and geographical context. The new architecture developed by a multidisciplinary team of Israeli and foreign experts, with the A. Lerman Architects studio responsible for the architectural project, clearly takes this into account, creating a space that aims to promote environmental awareness, while celebrating the unique biodiversity of the desert.



The link with the territory and its architectural history already becomes apparent from the entrance of the MIDBARIUM, which presents itself as a surprising example of thoughtful design rooted in local tradition. Made of raw concrete, on the one hand it clearly resembles the city's brutalist heritage, while on the one hand evoking the iconic tent structures historically used by the desert inhabitants, the Bedouins. With an impressive area of , square metres, the concrete pergola offers a cool and shady place to welcome visitors. The roof celebrates the mastery of construction engineer Rafi Bat, well known for having created some of Be'er Sheva's most iconic brutalist architecture from the s: the City Hall and the University Library.