The shrine of books, The Israel Museum, Jerusalem

General Description

The work on this historic building consisted of two stages:

Phase A:  Renovation of the existing building including the replacement of all the ceramic tile covering the shrine, replacement of the black stone covering the wall adjacent to the shrine.

Phase B: Plan and constructing of a new auditorium and information center. The center explains the subject of the Dead Sea Scrolls. The new auditorium integrates an under passage leading to the shrine of books. Before the passage ends, visitors may emerge from the under passage and visit an observation deck overlooking a model of Jerusalem during the second temple.  A unique detail in the design is an acoustical wall covered with thin granite slates, able to absorb sound due to acoustic material imbedded behind the wall.