MAVENS by ZYNGA

Tel Aviv Jaffa, 2024
Size: 1000 sqm (main building) + 180 sqm (canteen) + 250 sqm (garden)
Workspace

This office complex for a local start-up company was designed to resonate deeply with the spirit of locality and heritage. Situated on a unique site, the project connects two distinct structures: a 1930s well house and a newer addition. A former parking lot between them has been transformed into a lush hidden garden, linking the past and present.

The design draws inspiration from the historic well houses of Tel Aviv and Jaffa, which once played a vital role in the city’s fabric. These structures were glorified in the naive art of local painters such as Nahum Gutman and Reuven Rubin, whose works evoke simplicity, bold colors, and an unpretentious joy. These values among craftsmanship, tradition, naivety, bold expression, and authenticity, echo those held by the clients, providing the foundation for the entire design concept.

Inside the well house, the canteen is imbued with the playful spirit and bright palette of naive art, offering a sense of warmth and nostalgia. The newer building unfolds across four levels: The basement, the ground floor, and two additional levels dedicated to office spaces and meeting rooms. The ground floor features a spacious coffee area that occupies half of the floor and serves as a central hub where employees pass through as they enter and exit the building. This area connects the office not only to the hidden garden but also to the main street, fostering a seamless flow between work and leisure. The basement is a flexible space designed for wellness activities, informal meetings, assemblies, and social events, complete with a recording room, a bar, and changing rooms.
Every aspect of the design—from the architectural form to the handpicked materials—has been crafted with precision and joy. The result is a space where modern functionality meets the spirit of local artistry, offering a workspace that is not only productive but deeply engaging, a place where heritage, craft, and contemporary culture converge in every detail.

Photography: Dor Kedmi