Historical Background
Condition Prior to Conservation
The building was in a state of significant neglect, with numerous cracks in the stone masonry, extensive weathering of stones, and a southeast corner that had become structurally detached from the main building.
Our main goal was to bring the structure back to life for use as the moshav’s community hall while preserving its architectural and historical value. The project focused on structural stabilization and historic building conservation of both the exterior and interior surfaces.
Engineering Challenges
The main engineering challenges came from problematic historical construction methods. The structure was built of particularly soft and fragile stone, using a double-wall system without proper ties between the inner and outer layers. As a result, the walls lacked effective structural connection, compromising the building’s overall stability.
Another significant challenge involved the southeast corner of the building, which had become nearly completely detached. Initial assumptions pointed to possible foundation failure. However, after excavation and inspection, we discovered that the foundation was intact and structurally sound.
We determined that the corner’s separation resulted from two combined factors: the expansive soils of the Jezreel Valley, which shift due to seasonal moisture changes, and the historic removal of a stairwell that was originally connected to that corner, creating a gap that destabilized the structure.
Engineering Solutions
Our engineering design dealt with these issues by replacing the damaged stones and reconnecting the southeast corner to the adjacent walls using advanced engineering solutions. The work was technically complex due to the fragile nature of the stone and the challenges posed by the original construction method.
We used minimal intervention principles throughout the process to preserve the building’s historic character while ensuring structural stability.
At the end of the process, the corner was fully reintegrated into the building and now contributes to its overall structural stability.
In Partnership With:
Client: Council for the Preservation of Heritage Sites in Israel, in partnership with Moshav Alonim
Conservation Contractor: Centaur Ltd. – led by Yotam Carmel and Ali Sakler
Conservation Engineering: Schaffer Ronen Engineers – Meir Ronen and Aharon Levy
