What American home design aspects to put in new construction Israel home?

[rbs-g1.5]

As far as I know, against israeli building codes

all new construction has outlets in the bathroom ,just with waterproof covers[/list]

[rbs-g1.5]

Under floor heating, if you want to go all out. It’s great if all the floors are tile- makes for very evenly spread heat from what I’ve heard.

(I think they call this “yunkers” in Hebrew? I have a friend who built a house there and can’t stop taking about how he regrets not putting in “yunkers”.)

underfloor heating is not standard but is common
a yunkers is a gas boiler for heating and hot water its usually on a porch or service room

[Dan]

Over the years I have found that Israeli designed homes have (European) design products that are way ahead of American ones. Two that come to  mind are dishracks in cabinets over sinks and Shabbos lamps that are installed in the walls over beds that are hard to find here but seem to standard in new homes there.

Dishracks in cabinets? Sounds more prone to breakage than just staking plates to me?
And shabbos lamps built into a wall sound cool, until you decide to move the bed to accommodate another bed or bunk bed. Have a picture of this?

[incendia]

is that an American thing or a ADA thing?

Just my standard advice for people building or rehabbing their homes

[Dan]

Just my standard advice for people building or rehabbing their homes

Can't those be added later on when needed?

[ushdadude]

Over the years I have found that Israeli designed homes have (European) design products that are way ahead of American ones. Two that come to  mind are dishracks in cabinets over sinks and Shabbos lamps that are installed in the walls over beds that are hard to find here but seem to standard in new homes there.

We just have regular sconces and use shabulbs

[samfri]

Dishracks in cabinets? Sounds more prone to breakage than just staking plates to me?
And shabbos lamps built into a wall sound cool, until you decide to move the bed to accommodate another bed or bunk bed. Have a picture of this?

The dishrack is really great it drip dries in to the sink, the built in shabbos lamp, is a built in reading lamp that has a cover, the lighting stores sell many styles 

[ExGingi]

Central HVAC, though I assume a new build would have that anyway.

Central A/C vs split units? I'm not sure I would recommend that. There are advantages to split units.

[aygart]

The dishrack is really great it drip dries in to the sink,

And takes up an entire cabinet in a kitchen that is relatively small to start off with.

[etech0]

And takes up an entire cabinet in a kitchen that is relatively small to start off with.

Saves counter space which is probably needed too, fwiw (unless they hand dry everything after washing it)

[ExGingi]

The dishrack is really great it drip dries in to the sink,

My SIL installed over her sinks in Brooklyn.

[aygart]

Saves counter space which is probably needed too, fwiw (unless they hand dry everything after washing it)

A drainer takes up counter space temporarily. This takes up a full cabinet permanently. It takes up counter space after the meal is over when the counter isn't needed as much.

I understand that this can be a matter of taste, but this is my experience from when we lived in EY.

[etech0]

A drainer takes up counter space temporarily. This takes up a full cabinet permanently. It takes up counter space after the meal is over when the counter isn't needed as much.

I understand that this can be a matter of taste, but this is my experience from when we lived in EY.

I've never used one myself but someone I know who did told me that they kept their dishes in their even once dry.
Either way if you hate it, it shouldn't be a big deal to put down a piece of shelf and turn it into a regular cabinet.

[flyingace]

Dishracks in cabinets? Sounds more prone to breakage than just staking plates to me?
And shabbos lamps built into a wall sound cool, until you decide to move the bed to accommodate another bed or bunk bed. Have a picture of this?

The dishracks are in cabinets over the sink-many American kitchens have sinks in front of windows, but for those who like to drip dry their dishes it stays behind closed doors. The Shabbos lamps are installed by the electrician, same as one would do with sconces over the beds. If you think you might move your beds you wouldn't do it, I guess.

[rbs-g1.5]

A drainer takes up counter space temporarily. This takes up a full cabinet permanently. It takes up counter space after the meal is over when the counter isn't needed as much.

I understand that this can be a matter of taste, but this is my experience from when we lived in EY.

it doesn't take an entire cabinet,you  have at least 3  levels  .you can choose to have just one for draining and 2 regular shelves above it .i have 2 for draining and 1 shelve  on top .
(we find ours to be very helpful)

Dishracks in cabinets? Sounds more prone to breakage than just staking plates to me?
And shabbos lamps built into a wall sound cool, until you decide to move the bed to accommodate another bed or bunk bed. Have a picture of this?

we have never had a breakage issue. Nor have i heard of such an issue.
 

[Dan]

Soundproofing

[ExGingi]

Soundproofing

It is inherently less of an issue in Israel due to the construction materials used, but I would definitely put it high on the list (including soundproofing plumbing).

[lcm]

Make sure you are happy with the counter height.

[a mirrer]

a sink in the laundry room
a water filter for the whole house

[moe8555]

Hey everybody,
Just wanted to say I'm still here, just very busy with work.  I really appreciate all the suggestions and ideas and will take the time to properly respond/ask questions to all.  Honestly, despite my original focus on bringing practical American design elements to an Israeli home, a lot of the ideas could apply to building a home anywhere and hopefully will be useful to all!

And just to focus the discussion a little more (unless this does end up becoming a home design master thread...): our home will not have a driveway, garage, or basement.  It will, however, be two stories and a true single-family home with a yard, not a duplex/townhouse.  The home will be on a kibbutz, and there are very silly building codes in effect (at both the "county" [מועצה אזורית] and local [kibbutz] level) that do not allow basements, etc.