This competition proposal for Rehovot’s City Hall Plaza reimagines an oversized and underused civic space as a vibrant, multi-layered urban center — guided by Albert Einstein’s principle that “no problem can be dismissed with the same way of thinking that created it.”

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Rehovot is one of Israel’s fastest growing cities, yet its city hall plaza is scaled more like a national square and lacks the programmatic richness to serve its community. The space currently suffers from limited activities, weak urban connections, and a disconnect from nearby public and cultural institutions. The proposal introduces a flexible urban grid and rebalances the plaza through scale, activity, and integration. At its core is a redefined City Hall Square — a central space positioned along an axis linking the municipal building and local market with Herzl Street, the metro, and a wider cultural corridor. The square is designed for year-round use, anchored by a variety of adjacent programs including housing, rental units, public offices, and educational facilities. The built fabric gently slopes toward the plaza, creating a clear civic identity and a spatial stage for events of all sizes. By proposing phased development, diverse programming, and a fluid urban interface, the design offers a resilient framework for Rehovot’s evolving center — one that prioritizes flexibility, access, and civic life.