Project name: M4 – An Art Collectors’ Apartment
Architecture: Architect Raz Melamed
Location: Tel Aviv
Photo: Amit Geron
Year: 2025
Project description from design firms Architect Raz Melamed
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In a high-rise building in Tel Aviv, architect Raz Melamed designed a home that itself feels like a curated museum space. Created for a joyful, tasteful couple with a passion for collecting art, the apartment was planned down to the finest detail—even including accurate 3D renderings of each artwork in its exact size and color before construction began.
From the outset, Melamed coordinated with the building’s architect to revise the window layout, removing fixed panes and horizontal divisions to allow for large, uninterrupted openings that bring in maximum light and airflow. This approach, a hallmark of Melamed’s work, creates a seamless connection between interior and exterior spaces. Enlarged openings to the west enable effortless indoor-outdoor hosting for gatherings.
A key design move was concealing structural diagonals—both internal and external—through custom carpentry. These straight-line elements not only calm the visual flow but also cleverly integrate storage. The entrance reveals travertine flooring that continues into bathroom walls and sink cabinets, presenting a bold stone mass. Adjacent to the entrance is a cozy TV room with large glass doors that allow transparency, privacy, and a sense of continuity. A fireplace, a plush sofa, a mounted TV, and vibrant art create an inviting atmosphere.
Nearby, the guest bathroom features a sculptural sink cabinet and a dramatic light-emitting mirror. The living room includes soft parallel sofas, a Yves Klein-designed coffee table purchased at auction, and original stone side tables. A floor lamp by FLOS adds softness to the space. The adjacent terrace, landscaped with low greenery, opens up to the sea and city lights, with outdoor dining and lounge areas complemented by curated artworks.
The dining area features a monolithic stone table topped with stainless steel, surrounded by handcrafted “Africa” chairs by Scarpa, introducing a sense of ethnic authenticity. Above, FLOS decorative lighting—planned with museum lighting specialist Dr. Tzipi Frank—gives each artwork its due attention. A recessed niche serves as an art display, distinct from the clean white kitchen cabinetry.
Behind the main kitchen lies a fully equipped secondary kitchen for large-scale entertaining, as well as a laundry and ironing room. The kitchen island is topped with stainless steel, while a floating wood slab provides an intimate dining spot with light wooden stools. A glass cabinet showcases limited-edition dishware, and a colorful sculpture of a woman sitting on a beach ball on a plexiglass pedestal adds joyful energy.
A hidden door leads to the private wing, beginning with a vibrant study that can function as part of the master suite or as a separate space. When both this and the suite’s door are open, a continuous view stretches from the western balcony to the eastern mountains of Jerusalem.
Inside the suite, a hanging sculpture of a man playing an accordion greets visitors, flanked by dramatic artworks. Instead of traditional nightstands, stone tables contrast with the soft bedding. This tension between softness and structure continues throughout the space—in the brass lighting, the plush carpet, and the rigid wardrobe frame.
A beautifully designed walk-in closet leads to a bathroom with an open view, and an adjacent balcony lounge connects back to the kitchen. The result is a vibrant, textured, and joyful living space that respects and celebrates the homeowners’ extraordinary art collection, using natural materials as a neutral yet expressive backdrop.
Brands featured:
HENGE, BULTHAUP, FLOS, RIMADESIO, B&B ITALIA, MAXALTO, ERCO LIGHTING, GLAS ITALIA
