Family Rebuilds Home in Nachal Oz After October 7th Trauma
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
Interior designer Adi Menor completed a two-year renovation of a home in Kibbutz Nachal Oz damaged on October 7th, creating a new living space for the unharmed family. The project aimed to leave the trauma behind, expanding the house and reconfiguring its layout for a brighter, more functional environment. The family's determination to return and embrace a fresh start was a key aspect of the design process. About 90% of Nachal Oz residents have now returned to the kibbutz.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- A home in Kibbutz Nachal Oz damaged on October 7th was renovated over two years by interior designer Adi Menor.
- The family desired a completely new living space, distinct from the house that experienced the Hamas attack.
- The renovation expanded the home and focused on creating a bright, functional environment, removing physical reminders of trauma.
- A new 10-square-meter home office was added, and the living room's glass facade was significantly enlarged.
- The project aimed to help the family move past the trauma and embrace their return to the kibbutz.
- Approximately 90% of Nachal Oz residents have returned to the kibbutz since the attack.
An interior designer, Adi Menor, has completed a nearly two-year renovation of a home in Kibbutz Nachal Oz that was damaged during the October 7th Hamas attack. The family who lived there, who were unharmed physically, had initially been evacuated to Kibbutz Mishmar HaEmek. Five months after the attack, they met with Menor, expressing a clear desire not to return to the same house, but to create a new, different living space.
The original home was approximately 110 square meters on a 350 square meter plot. The renovation expanded it to about 120 square meters, including a new 10-square-meter home office. The design focused on creating a bright, quiet, and functional space, intentionally leaving behind any physical reminders of the traumatic events. The house sustained damage from gunfire, including a shattered storefront window and a bullet hole in a wall.
Menor described the initial return to the area as emotionally difficult, with checkpoints and military presence. However, the family's focus and strength helped her remain composed. The renovation was driven by the family's desire for a fresh start, with much of the cost borne by them rather than compensation funds. Key changes included reconfiguring the kitchen layout, creating a dedicated home office, and significantly enlarging the living room's glass facade to bring in more natural light and views of the garden.
The children's rooms were also redesigned to be more playful and personalized, with the younger son's safe room incorporating a climbing wall. The parents' room was also modified to include a workspace for each of them. Despite the challenges and the extended timeline, which was impacted by broader kibbutz restoration efforts, the family remained determined to return. Menor noted that the clients often showed more certainty about their future than she did, providing her with strength.
Nachal Oz suffered 16 fatalities and 8 abductions on October 7th, with five abductees returned alive and three deceased. Currently, about 90% of the kibbutz residents have returned.
