Mitzpe Marcus Viewpoint
design proposal for a public space at the Mitzpe Markus viewpoint overlooking Haifa Bay
Haifa, Israel, 2013
Mitzpe Markus is an important viewpoint on the edge of a Haifa residential neighbourhood, built on the westernmost part of the Carmel Mountain ridge and overlooking Haifa Bay and Haifa Harbour. The artist was approached by a neighbourhood initiative which had taken on bringing about a public garden in a patch of open land left over by a residential development.
The artist’s design relates to the features of the places and especially to the spectacular panoramic view of the rounded shape of Haifa Bay. It strives to create a pleasant and inviting public space which combines a feeling of movement with a quiet and meditative inner space.
The design consists of three elements:
-
Two low, curved and slated stone walls, which are situated at the two ends of the design and contain raised beds for planting.
-
In the centre of the elliptic space an elliptic sunk area is filled with pebbles, into which a number of large boulders are placed.
-
Four interlocking sculptural shade structures cover the central space in a dynamic fashion, both providing shade and – in their spatial gesture – opening the vista towards the panoramic view of Haifa Bay. Benches are integrated in the intervals between the wooden supporting poles of these structures.
