Butterfly Garden

One of the biggest indicators of clean air is the presence of butterflies. The geographical location of Bat Yam on the seafront ensures that it is part of the butterfly migration trail. The abundance of green open spaces within the city and its strategic sequencing draws the butterflies along a seashore corridor into the city, as a sort of entryway. This component, along with the preservation of the natural seafront vegetation, becomes a natural call for butterflies into the urban space.

The Butterfly Garden was created to celebrate these beautiful creatures and ensure their close viewing. The land on which the garden was built was previously part abandoned truck lot and building waste dump, and part dilapidated garden. These two areas, connected by an old road, were demolished in order to create the infrastructure for one large plot of land on top of which resides the garden.

The garden is a link between the two city parts – on one end there are old housing projects and on the end, tall high rises. The place enables a point of connection and contact, between these two city ends.

The Butterfly Garden was designed as a “landing platform” for butterflies that are part of the immigration route. The idea behind the garden was to create an island of quiet – both as a moment to disengage and experience the butterfly flight through a close up personal exploration, and also as part of the dreamy qualities of the garden. Residents can experience the literal feeling of flying atop the many swings dispersed around the garden, overlooking the view.

The flowers in the garden provide for the butterflies’ three basic needs: rest, nectar and a place to spawn. The vegetation is ordered in long strips coming from the oceanfront to the city. Each such strip received its own color and texture, and in between walking paths were set to enable a moment of rest. Inside the garden there is a small pavilion, designed by Weinstein and Adia Architects, for educational programs where students can sit in the shade and learn about the park.

The garden represents a symbiosis between the needs of the residents and the butterflies. The mix of vegetation and its ordering.