This renovation project reimagines a listed auditorium building without altering its iconic form — expanding its capacity and function through a discreet, strategic intervention.

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Originally designed in 1955 by Arieh Sharon and Benjamin Idelson, the building is a hallmark of Israeli modernism and subject to strict preservation rules that prohibit any change to its façade or massing. The challenge: to double the size of the lobby and accommodate both audience flow and new cultural programming. The solution emerged from within. By raising the auditorium’s seating area, a previously unused void was uncovered beneath — allowing for the creation of a new, generous lobby that opens onto the building’s rear garden. This space now supports pre-show gatherings, small cultural events, and community use, all while preserving the integrity of the original architecture. Through a minimal and precise move, the project adds new life to a protected structure — unlocking spatial, social, and cultural potential without changing what makes it iconic.