Rosh Zipor

In the bustling Tel Aviv Metropolitan Area, amidst the concrete and steel, lies a haven of natural beauty - the "Rosh Zipor" bird-observatory center. The center occupies a 30-dunam site that was once used for construction waste and debris, through which the Musrara Stream used to flow. Now, the complex of artificial water bodies that covers 50% of the project's area and spans 15 dunams has become the heart of the site and a source of life for the plants and animals that thrive there.

The various water formations of the center, including the central lake with varying depths and marsh shapes, provide richness to the habitats and attract both resident and migratory birds. The site serves as a place for shelter, rest, and feeding for the birds, while also providing opportunities for observation, monitoring, research, and documentation for green bodies and research organizations.

Despite being a man-made site, the center has managed to create an ecologically harmonious system with rich and balanced interrelationships. Rare natural phenomena, processes, and wildlife have been observed, even though the center is located in the heart of the metropolis.

To accommodate visitors, the center integrates areas for group visits, spaces for prolonged observation and stay, and areas where visitor access is controlled. A special architectural language was developed for the project, including adaptation for groups of all sizes and populations, a climate-controlled building, and balancing between nature observation and exposure, and concealment and non-disturbance of wildlife.

The center is not only a place for families to enjoy free or guided visits and organized environmental education activities, but also hosts nature tours, conferences, research days, and bird ringing activities for research purposes. A community of nature photographers has even emerged around the site.

In short, the "Rosh Zipor" bird-observatory center is a nature bubble in the heart of the metropolis, where people can connect with nature, observe wildlife, and learn about the importance of ecological systems.