From Iron to Glass: The Transformative Path of Achiya Arbiv
- Caroline Haïat
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Architect, glassblower, and iron specialist, the young talent Achiya Arbiv has carved out a unique place for himself as a full-fledged artist in Israel. At 35, Achiya lives in Jerusalem with his wife and young daughter, skillfully juggling his studies, hard work, and creative pursuits. From an early age, he knew he would one day transform raw materials into works of art. It was through touch that Achiya recalls his very first childhood memory in Efrat, in the Gush Etzion area: the texture of a doll he played with alongside his siblings. A tactile memory that takes him back to where it all began. Over the years, Achiya has built a career straddling Israel and the United States, moving fluidly between architecture and craftsmanship — a fertile tension between two worlds that has become his signature. “I’ve always been in that undefined in-between space,” he says. Portrait of an ambitious artist with a bright future.
A Childhood Shaped by a Love of Craftsmanship
As a child, Achiya loved to create with his hands. Full of energy and enthusiasm, he jumped at the opportunity when one of his eight-grade teacher Shmuel Eliraz opened a metalworking studio and asked him to assist.
“I used to skip classes and run to the studio. It was a real passion,” he recalls. “Gradually, I began to study iron seriously and realized its immense potential. I understood this craft would stay with me throughout my adult life.”
After completing his military service in the IDF, Achiya began working with iron in earnest, crafting original objects for sale. His very first creation was a hanukkiah — later purchased by a designer. He gradually built up an impressive portfolio of works sold prior to beginning five years of architecture studies at the prestigious Technion University in Haifa.
“Everyone advised me to study architecture since it offered more opportunities,” he admits. “But I truly loved it — it’s such a rich field that complements craftsmanship perfectly. The studies were fascinating.”
At the end of each academic year, Achiya traveled to the United States to teach and practice metalwork at Camp Stone, a Jewish summer camp in northern Pennsylvania. For his supervisor, Yehuda Rothner, hands-on work was central to children’s personal development — a philosophy that deeply influenced Achiya.
He quickly built a following in the U.S., managing to sell many of his pieces.
“At camp, I was in charge of ironwork while my colleague handled glassblowing — we made a great team. I also had the chance to work with Rich, an American glassblower, and learn the basics of the craft before taking formal lessons to improve my technique,” Achiya explains.
A Dual Talent
His love for glass was actually born a few years earlier, during a trip to Murano, the island near Venice renowned for its glassmaking tradition. The visit was a revelation.
“In Murano, glass studios are everywhere. As someone experienced with iron, I suddenly fell in love with glass. I tried in every possible way to learn this craft — it’s not something common in Israel,” he says.
Upon returning to Jerusalem, Achiya realized that to truly master glass, he would need formal training. He therefore embarked on another five-year degree, this time at Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, while continuing to work as an architect.
“I approach glass with the eyes of an architect — I’m always seeking to bring together design and architecture. My inner worlds constantly collide, inspire, and push me to create: iron, architecture, glass, and even computer animation. I like to design small digital models first, then bring them to life in iron or glass,” he reveals.
A Turning Point Born of Tragedy
Though Achiya has now found stability working as an architect at Tafnit, a multidisciplinary project management firm, one defining project marked a true turning point in his career.
“I got this position thanks to my mentor, Elad David Melamed. Together, we designed a school in Ashdod. In 2021, cancer took him in just three months. Suddenly, I found myself almost alone to carry out the entire project. The shock was immense — but it also pushed me to outdo myself and give new meaning to the challenge. I took on the school’s full conception, with occasional help from colleagues. We completed the project two years later, in the middle of the war,” he recounts.
Achiya wanted to create a ‘foundation of memories’ for the students who would walk through the school’s doors — a space that would leave a lasting imprint on their minds.
“I wanted them to remember the buildings, the walls, the floor — to have an unforgettable experience.”
The memory of places is what gives meaning to his life. It’s a sense he now weaves into all his work — each piece becoming an extension of himself, a way to reconcile his inner dualities.
“I try to ease the constant duality within me by expressing it through my art.”
In the future, Achiya dreams of holding his own solo exhibition, where he could share with a wider audience his deep connection to the materials that drive him — materials he brings to life through his unique vision.
Caroline Haïat
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