A petition has been set up in Herzliya, Israel, to save a modern day hermit from eviction from his home of 50 years, after authorities told him he had built his unusual property without the necessary permissions.
Nissim Kashlon began building his home by the sea in 1970, choosing to live in a cave overlooking the Mediteranean on Nof Yam beach, near Tel Aviv. Over the following years he used used hammers, picks and shovels to move rocks, sand and accumulated sea debris, to form by hand a Guadiesque, multi-storey home that has, at times, shocked engineers in its construction.
His home is an example of Vernacular Architecture, a form of architecture characterised by the use of local materials and knowledge. The building comprises a maze-like structure of rooms decorated in elaborate mosaics made from broken bottles, plates and other sea debris.
Nissim uses water from a well but has no electricity. He says fish used to be plentiful and though industrial fishing has changed that, he still gets most of his food from the sea.
In 2014, a film was made about him entitled “Sipur Aploni (an Apollonian Story). Its directors state in the synopsis: “For years he lived without electricity or running water. Today Nissim continues to work on the home that he built out of rocks, trash, and sand, while the sea, which he loves dearly, constantly gnaws at the house”.
While Nissim believes his home is eco-friendly, its unusual construction methods and materials have called this into question. His home is situated in the Apollonia National Park on a clifftop location that is highly visible, in an area of historical ruins and beautiful, rugged cliffs. He has at times been known to allow visitors into the interior of his home to view his work.
The authorities say he is harming the environment and want him to leave.
If you’re considering a few hand made additions to your home, avoid unnecessary heartache by asking a Chartered Surveyor for a professional opinion before investing time and money.