The new Ari Kushner building is an addition to the famed Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance, designed by HQ Architects and HWKN Architecture, which serves as an Advanced Inter Arts Center and will add generous learning and performance spaces for students and faculty. Located in Central Jerusalem, the campus is adjacent to key public buildings including the Parliament and the Israel Museum, among others. One of the challenges was to unite the three wings into one coherent complex. HQ Architects’ design solution opted to place the new building below the former and slightly to the right. This created a visual sense of a unified complex, fitting for an institution now housed under three different roofs. The addition of the new purpose built building to the existing campus provides adequate premises to fulfill its mission and a new exciting addition to the urban environment of a highly esteemed Jerusalem area. The new facilities include a Jazz Improvised Music Studio with 90 seats, a Multipurpose Classroom, a Vocal and Opera Studio, a Choreography Studio, an 115 seats Solo & Chamber Music Recital Hall, 5 Teaching Rooms, and 8 Practice Chambers, among other.

HQ Architects have created a remarkable building extension that serves as a unifying space, fostering connections between individuals from diverse backgrounds through music and informal encounters. This is especially significant in Jerusalem, where promoting harmony and understanding among people of different religions and cultures is crucial. The lobby lies at the core of the design, functioning as a lively mixing chamber for all visitors. A prominent grand stair serves as a central focal point, fostering interaction and facilitating spontaneous connections. People from diverse backgrounds and disciplines converge here, engaging in conversations and sharing their love for music, dance, and creativity. With its deliberate inclusivity, the lobby design acts as a catalyst for forging relationships among individuals who might not have otherwise intersected.

HWKN designed the new building’s intricate façade to both deliver a strong aesthetic statement and offer an innovative design for cooling a building in the Middle East. The curtain wall over the building’s glass façade is comprised of an arrangement of Jerusalem stone blocks., which was the client’s single brief. In addition to its social significance, the building extension is also environmentally conscious. By prioritizing the use of local materials, it pays homage to the region's cultural heritage, while showcasing a contextual approach to sustainability by forming a barrier to the sun’s heat.

Lastly, it is inviting to the public through the unconventional placement of the stone blocks. Turned 45 degrees on their side, the stone blocks vary in dimension and are positioned to create the appearance of a solid unit dissolving in parts to allow for the interior to peek through. The materials dramatic effect leaves a classic, timeless finish while celebrating a traditional material commonly local in an unexpected way.