Ra'anana: Bridging Generations - A Landscape of Connection and Accessibility

Location: Ra’anana
Interior Design: Yeti Selski
Photography: Oded Smadar

The Ra’anana project was born from a touching family story: a mother who wished to move next door to her son. The family purchased the adjacent plot, which was topographically lower than the existing one. The challenge was to create a harmonious outdoor space that seamlessly connects the two homes, remains fully accessible for the elderly mother, and provides an inviting play area for the grandchildren at their grandmother’s house.

In close collaboration with interior designer Yeti Selski, we created a unified material language that bridges the structure and the landscape: We designed a dominant wall between the two plots, clad in wood-like aluminum slats in shades that match the home’s exterior cladding chosen by the designer. Floating stairs were integrated into this feature wall, allowing for convenient, quick, and aesthetic passage between the two family homes.

One of the most significant challenges was creating a completely accessible entrance for the mother. Despite the house being set back with an original path full of stairs, we developed an engineered and aesthetic solution: We designed a long, comfortable ramp that allows access to the doorstep without a single step, blending naturally into the entrance path. The only stairs in the garden lead to the grandchildren’s play area, ensuring the homeowner’s safety and comfort are maintained.

The planting plan was designed with family dynamics in mind:

Privacy vs. Connection: We selected hardy, durable vegetation that creates a visual buffer from the neighbors while maintaining open, inviting sightlines between the two family plots.

A Space for Grandchildren: At the heart of the grandmother’s garden, we dedicated a special play area, serving as a magnet for the grandchildren and strengthening family ties in daily life.