Edit Abu Interior Design was tasked to create a meaningful space for learning in the renovation of El Tory Elementary School located in Jerusalem, Israel.

In the recent days of uncertainty, when tensions in Israel have been slowly growing, I find that my pursuit as an Israeli-Jewish interior designer working in the Arab sector is essential and has the added value of coexistence at its heart. The El Tori school renovation project, located in the Arab Abu Tur neighborhood of Jerusalem, is an excellent example. It brings together the design components for creating learning spaces in innovative models, along with the values of coexistence based on trust, mutual respect, understanding and full cooperation between all parties involved.

Beyond being simply a place to house students, the school maintains close contact with the community, beyond school hours, and is very necessary in the context of the reality and environment in which the students live. The location of the school’s surrounding areas have been neglected and do not allow for a practical or viable environment for girls to meet. In some cases, it even poses an existential danger. Therefore, it was necessary to address and redesign the public areas of the school, with an emphasis on the entrance in the first phase. This was in order to allow a pleasant, meaningful living space with content and relevance for the students, both as a formal study space during school hours, and as an informal play and leisure space after school hours.

Design: Edit Abu Interior Design
Contractor: Ahmed Zaki
Photography: Shai Epstein