Description
The Einstein House is a new repository that will house the legacy, work, and research of Nobel laureate Albert Einstein, one of the founders of Hebrew University, who bequeathed all his writings and intellectual property to the institution.
The Albert Einstein House will serve as a center for scientific and technological education, utilizing modern display methods, scientific demonstrations, and original documents to showcase Einstein’s tremendous scientific contributions. The state-of-the-art archive will accommodate over 82,000 objects.
The 29,000 square foot (2,700 square meter) building will emphasize the significance of Einstein’s discoveries, his involvement in humanitarian and civil rights issues, as well as his deep dedication to Hebrew University, the State of Israel, and the global Jewish community. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore a reconstruction of his personal library, step into a replica of his office, and examine original documents, including the Theory of Relativity and the manuscript that introduced the famous equation E=mc².
The building’s cubic form gently twists, curves, and angles upward to create a complex geometry influenced by Einstein’s drawings for projective geometry and his profound insight into the curvature of the universe. Its form is deceptively simple, with its vertical ribbed, stone-clad facade that is both ordered and unexpected. Entrances on the south and north sides are seamlessly integrated into the structure providing passive shading from the hot Israeli sun.
The main floor will house permanent and temporary exhibition spaces, and a museum shop, and will feature a sculptural central spiral staircase. The upper level will accommodate the library and reading room, offering panoramic views of the rooftop terrace. The lower level will be dedicated to archive rooms, research facilities, and the scholarship library.