Designer Creates Home Objects Reflecting Life With Military Partner During Ongoing Conflict

Ziv Greenbaum Erez, a 29-year-old industrial design graduate from Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem, developed a series of home objects inspired by her life with her partner, a career army captain and company commander, over the past 11 years. Since October 7, her partner has been engaged in prolonged combat, and during the first year of the war, they met only a few times. Greenbaum Erez describes this period as very turbulent and emphasizes the emotional challenges faced by partners of career soldiers, who often cope alone at home while worrying constantly about their loved ones. She chose to explore these experiences through design, viewing the home as a dynamic space that expands and contracts with the rhythms of military life.

Guided by mentor Netti Shmiah Ofer, Greenbaum Erez created four objects that operate in two modes: ON, representing the partner's absence and independent living, and ON+, activated when he returns home, requiring the objects to adapt physically and functionally to accommodate military gear and a different energy. For example, a lamp glows warmly when he is away to provide comfort and transforms into a coat rack for his uniform when he returns. A clock counts time during his absence but turns into a flower vase upon his return, symbolizing a pause in time. Another object is an entryway bench with a designated spot for his military boots, while a hammock expands to hold his large, heavy military bag, which otherwise would be left cluttering the home.

Greenbaum Erez highlights how military equipment often invades the home space, creating emotional tension and a sense of abandonment anxiety among partners. Instead of hiding or fighting the presence of this gear, her designs give it a respectful, defined place within the home. She stresses that the project focuses on wholeness rather than lack, rejecting the idea that the home is "off" when the partner is away. Instead, it remains fully functional and independent (ON), shifting to an expanded state (ON+) when he returns. Her goal is to show that families of career soldiers live full lives that flexibly accommodate love and military realities, even when visits are brief and gear is cumbersome.

The project will be exhibited at Bezalel's graduate show in Jerusalem from July 24 to August 4.