The project´s site is located in the desert, south to the road which connects Be’er Sheva and Hatzerim’s air force base camp. The region’s delicate topography is derived from creeks which flow into the seasonal streams during winter, shaping a desert texture of water creeks. One of these creeks’ path, which connect the museum to Be’er Sheva’s stream, has dictated the positioning of the museum as a continuous and natural part of this water course.
The concept of “boundary” is integrated into our holistic perception of “connection” and “intermediation.” It is a fascinating area from a philosophical and conceptual perspective. Treating the valley as a connecting element, despite its role as a separator, is at the core of the idea.
The program of the air force museum is developing along the valley – an outside territory which expresses the desired space relations between the zones and the different compounds. The valley constitutes the project´s spine and includes, besides the entrance´s area, a public square in which there is a variety of children and adults’ activities, a restaurant and caffés, a conventions center and opened space exhibitions along different water facilities. It´s a shaded climate protected area, opened for the public as well as for the museum’s comers. Through the valley it is possible to generate a quality linkage to the functions as a whole and enable a glimpse inside the museum.
The entrance to the exhibition spaces is defined and physically separated not only by the stones cloak, but also sophisticatedly and gently by level differences and water barriers which separates but also enable glimpsing and stimulation. The conjunctions between the exhibition zones and the public buildings are created at the exhibition lane- through little bridges, and by direct entrance and exit to the valley compound and the exhibition stands as well, by digital means.
