Protected Rooms (Mamad) as the Core of the Architectural Concept
One of the primary urban planning and structural requirements for residential projects in Israel is the integration of protected rooms – mamad.
We do not treat the Mamad as an optional space to be added after floor plans are finalized. Its position is established at the earliest design stages because it directly impacts: – The structural load-bearing system of the entire building; – Wall openings and facade solutions; – The routing of MEP services.
Key BIM Process Detail: During modeling, we pay special attention to reinforced concrete walls, specialized blast doors and windows, filtration systems, and mechanical penetrations. Any change in these zones is immediately verified across three models simultaneously: Architectural (AR), Structural (KR), and MEP.
Furthermore, safety standards in Israel are updated up to several times a year. Rather than automatically reusing solutions from previous projects, we verify current regulatory requirements for each specific object.
Dominance of Reinforced Concrete and Early AR + KR Coordination
Israeli construction relies heavily on cast-in-place reinforced concrete structures. For design engineers, this means one thing: structural logic must be integrated from the earliest stages of architectural space planning.
The placement of load-bearing walls, shafts, vertical connections, and protected zones strictly limits valid layout solutions. At Newstaff, the architectural model never evolves in isolation from the structural model. A layout change in a single unit is immediately evaluated for its impact on floors above and below, wall openings, and engineering shafts.
Through this approach, we shift 90% of potential clashes to the early stages of design, saving clients from costly redesigns during construction.
Regional Characteristics and Cultural Context in Facade Geometry
Israel is a compact country, but project requirements vary significantly depending on region, topography, and cultural context:
– Jerusalem Stone: Projects in Jerusalem are subject to mandatory architectural traditions requiring Jerusalem stone cladding. This directly influences facade details, fixing systems, and wall assembly thickness.
– Climate and Shading: In other regions, solar orientation, facade exposure, and the need for shading elements or terracing become the primary drivers.
– Sukkot Considerations: Cultural context directly shapes building geometry. Balconies are often designed with cascading or staggered arrangements to ensure an open sky view over part of the balcony for erecting a traditional sukkah.
Understanding the functional reasons behind these features allows us to make correct architectural decisions from the first iteration.
Adapting BIM Standards: Hebrew RTL Support and Local Families
Standard BIM templates are not ready for the Israeli market out of the box. To maintain high efficiency, we developed a specialized toolkit:
1. Revit Family Library: We created custom families for Mamad components, blast doors and windows, facade connections, and specialized MEP elements.
2. Hebrew Documentation (RTL): Since Hebrew is written right-to-left, standard CAD/Revit text notes frequently encounter formatting issues, such as corrupted word order, punctuation errors, and misaligned multi-line annotations. We developed internal rules, view templates, and review checklists to ensure clean, error-free drawings for local contractors.
A Systemic Approach and Risk Mitigation
The primary complexity of Israeli projects lies in the domino effect of design changes. Adjusting a hallway layout affects the Mamad wall, which alters the concrete structure, shifting MEP shafts and ultimately impacting facade details.
Over years of practice, we have learned to anticipate these interdependencies. Our specialists do not wait for client comments – we proactively identify potential risks, offering technically sound alternatives before they turn into costly problems.
Value for Our Partners and Engineering Team – For Clients (Developers, Architecture & Engineering Firms): You gain more than just drawings or 3D models – you get a dedicated BIM team that speaks your market’s language, understands local codes, handles technical coordination, and protects your project timeline and budget. – For Candidates and Engineers: Working at Newstaff on Israeli projects offers a high BIM engineering culture, exposure to complex multidisciplinary modeling, mastery of international standards, and clear workflows.
Conclusion
Succeeding in the Israeli market requires deep local expertise and continuous coordination between discipline models. Our systemic approach, custom BIM libraries, and understanding of regional regulations enable Newstaff to deliver precise documentation that smoothly passes approvals and moves straight to construction.
Looking for a reliable BIM team for your projects in Israel, or interested in joining our engineering team?
Contact us today to discuss cooperation!