Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Foster + Partners · Jerusalem · 1918

Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Editor's Pick

On a sun-blasted hill, Foster’s precision turns shade into ornament—architecture as a climatic instrument you can walk through.

Israeli university in Jerusalem.

Featured in Foster + Partners's definitive monograph, Norman Foster: A Life in Architecture.

Major PracticeEditor's Pick
Year
1918
Coordinates
31.7758°, 35.2000°
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Visitor Guide

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Visitor Tip

Security rules can change—carry ID and be ready to explain you’re visiting public campus areas. Focus your attention on the facade screens and shadow edges; Jerusalem architecture is a battle between light and stone, and this is the contemporary front line.

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Best Photo Spot

Givat Ram campus pedestrian routes near Foster’s brain-sciences complex (or related campus buildings); 16:00–17:30 for long, legible shadows on screens and courtyards.

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Access & Hours

Campus grounds are often accessible (subject to security and academic schedule), but specific research buildings are typically not open inside without business there. Free alternative: exterior campus walk plus nearby public museums in the city.

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Insider Note

The ‘pattern’ is performance: screen density and aperture sizing behave like a daylight algorithm—ornament as environmental control, not nostalgia.

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Time Needed

45–90 minutes (campus walk)

Design & Structure

TessellationBranching / Dendritic
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Computational Process

Contemporary campus architecture driven by climate and security constraints: shaded courtyards, controlled apertures, and facade systems tuned for glare, heat, and privacy. Digital modeling underpins the screen logic—balancing daylight penetration with cooling loads and view control.

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Materiality

Jerusalem stone and modern metal/glass systems: the local material anchors the project in the city’s tectonic tradition, while engineered screens do the real climatic work.

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Structural Innovation

Facade and courtyard systems act structurally and environmentally: screens, canopies, and shaded voids reduce solar loads and create stable microclimates without relying purely on mechanical brute force.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who designed Hebrew University of Jerusalem?+

Hebrew University of Jerusalem was designed by Foster + Partners and completed in 1918. It is located in Jerusalem, Israel.

Where is Hebrew University of Jerusalem located?+

Hebrew University of Jerusalem is located in Jerusalem, Israel. Its coordinates are 31.7758°, 35.2000°.

When was Hebrew University of Jerusalem built?+

Hebrew University of Jerusalem was completed in 1918. It was designed by Foster + Partners.

Can I visit Hebrew University of Jerusalem?+

Hebrew University of Jerusalem is a real building in Jerusalem that can be viewed from the outside. Check local information for interior access and visiting hours. Use the Parametric Atlas walking tour feature to plan a route that includes this building.