Reut Heart is a sculptural public piazza conceived as a vibrant space for social integration, community life, and everyday gathering. Located at the junction of a commercial and civic node, it functions as both a covered public square and a natural extension of the adjacent shopping center. Spanning approximately 3,000 square meters, the canopy unifies public and retail space, encouraging interaction, leisure, and commerce under one continuous architectural gesture.
Design Concept
Previously exposed to the elements—with little protection from rain or the intense Israeli summer sun—the area was underused and lacked identity. The project reimagines this void as a year-round open-yet-sheltered public forum, celebrating a mix of retail, cultural, and communal activities. It invites people to meet, share, and engage—creating a true heart for Reut’s urban fabric.
Sculpting Architecture in Virtual Space.
The canopy was designed through an experimental workflow combining artisan handcraft and cutting-edge digital technology. Architect Nir Sivan sculpted the form entirely by hand in virtual reality using an Oculus headset and advanced 3D software. Immersed in the digital environment, he modeled the fluid structure with gestural precision, achieving a high level of plasticity and freedom impossible with traditional CAD tools.
This hybrid approach—handcrafted in virtual space—allowed the fusion of artistic expression with geometric and structural accuracy from the very beginning.
Fabrication and Feasibility
To bridge design and construction, the project was developed in collaboration with LANIK, a key partner in engineering and fabrication. Their early involvement ensured a seamless transition from concept to reality, maintaining control over budget, technical constraints, and lifecycle considerations.
The project’s evolution was continually verified through 3D printing prototypes, facilitating real-world tests and studies of the digital model at each stage.
Conclusion
Reut Heart is more than a canopy—it’s a new social stage, born from the synergy of visionary design, immersive technology, and integrated fabrication. It demonstrates how virtual sculpting tools can open new paths for architecture, merging community purpose with innovative, digitally-crafted form-making.