The Government of Israel – The Authority of Antequties
Rosh Ha’Ayin, Israel
Project Objective:
Over the past decade, a few cities in Israel have been developed extensively. With new neighbourhoods being developed in outskirts of the cities, in untouched areas. As developments progress, many agent sites are being discovered. Such was the case in the eastern new neighbourhood of Afek in Rosh Ha’Ayin, Israel. An agent 2700-year-old agriculture farm was discovered during the works. “We see a trend all over the world that cities are approaching archaeological sites that were once protected. In a small country as flooded with archaeology as Israel, this is expected to happen” says Ya’ara Shaltiel, Head of the restoration Planning Branch at the restoration Administration of the Israel Antiquities Authority. The approach the Authority took was one that aimed at integrating these restored agent sites in the new neighbourhoods as part of the public areas for the new residents.
The Challenge:
Making an ancient site accessible to the public and adhering to the new standards was a challenge, as the usual work of digging into its floor or bringing in compactors was not possible. From an architectural point of view, the solution would also need to combine the old appearance of the remaining structural elements on the site. AnyWay got into the picture with its solution of low carbon emission concrete, PathWay. Not only would PathWay create an area that would comply with the current accessibility standards of the urban environment, but it would also combine well with the ancient site and complement the architecture. Not need to dig in the floor of the site, no need to bring any metal bars or geofabric, like would be need with cement-based concrete. PathWay was applied directly to the existing floor of the site, as it was found.
Why AnyWay eventually got to be included in the project is the fact that PathWay is a low carbon emission material; it is mineral-based. Also, the main ingredient is quarry by-product material that reaches the soil. In addition, no metal mash was required for the slab. All these comply with the requirements of working in such a sensitive ancient environment.
The Results:
The site was opened to the public within a few days after it was concreted. It is situated with in a park surrounded by newly built buildings and kids could walk through the site without even knowing that their small feet actually walk in a 2700 year old farm.
AnyWay’s Role:
AnyWay supplied PathWay with concrete mixers to the site and coordinated the application by a specialist concrete slabbing company also using concrete pumps.
