Architecture Competition Omuli Museum Of The Horse Honorable mention – Matan Gal and Dana Lieber

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to one of our Honorable mention winners for our “Omuli Museum Of The Horse” competition –Matan Gal and Dana Lieber from Israel!

Dana Lieber and Matan Gal from Israel

Both of us are alumni of Bezalel Academy of Arts & Design in Jerusalem, graduated with honors. Except for being a life partner, we have cooperated since our academic studies and consistently reach a coherent design narrative. In our process, we combine rigorous research and experimental aspects that amalgamate into our practice. Currently, Dana has been admitted for her graduate studies of Historic Preservation at Columbia University, and Matan is a practitioner at HWKN architects in NY.

Brief information about the projects that you/your company have been involved with. For instance, what scale have you focused on/preferred, any significant projects where the company / individuals have been involved?

During our professional experience, we have crossed a variety of scales and sectors under leading firms in Israel: Matan was responsible for public buildings in vast-scale projects in the public sector, most notably Broadcom R&D Center & Engineering labs at Tel-Aviv University (Studio PEZ) and The Architecture department building Tel-Aviv University (Tsiovov-Vitkon architects). Matan taught a 3rd-year course studio in Bezalel Academy with Prof. Zvi Efrat and led a 2nd-year course studio under the theme of "redundant buildings".

Dana has been practicing architecture as a designer at Bar-Orian Architects in Tel Aviv, one of the leading local firms specializing in the conservation and renewal of residential buildings. Working there, she has gained valuable knowledge concerning legislation and regulation issues, standards and restrictions, materials and construction technologies, local history, and municipal politics. Dana is also taking part in design projects for the family business of Doron's Furniture factory. We are always reaching out for cooperation and joint ventures to create a broad spectrum of projects and to work in a multidisciplinary environment.

What does architecture mean to you and what is the role of an architecture in your society?

We see in architecture the frame-story of the human and non-human cultures. Whether it be mythologies or physical apparatus; politics, ethics, sociology or psychology; economy or materials; ecology or anthropocene– all are parts that consolidate what we call 'Architecture'. So, if everything is considered as Architecture, how may we define it? Therefore, we see the role of the architect as the composer: the very first step is to be attentive, aware of nuances, observe with critical eyes, open a panoramic spectrum toward the situation, learn with a deep understanding of the field conditions, encourage the local cultural material and patterns, and finally, to suggest a structured strategy for organizing the complexity.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

Competitions are a window for us to think about 'pure architecture', to stretch the boundaries, and focus ourselves o=in a short-term period to generate an accurate tailor-made proposal. We love the site limits and constraints, so working with existing buildings is an excellent trigger to start a project. Yet, the results are concise and represent values that we would like to demonstrate. Also, competitions are a fantastic platform to get familiar with foreign cultures and traditions while we confront ourselves with local belonging vis-à-vis global thinking.

What advice would you give to individuals who struggle to decide whether it would be beneficial for them to participate in architecture competition?

When you consider whether to participate in a competition or not, invest whatever effort, time, and experience you have. Competitions are excellent opportunities to bridge your great big thoughts and unique perspective with your professional routine.