אדריכלות ישראלית - גיליון 127

site adapted industrialized design אדריכלות ישראלית Architecture of Israel # 127 November 2021 | | 82 One of the solutions that has proven effective in other times and places with regards to housing shortages, is industrialization, the most prominent feature of which is (seemingly) non-unique visual imagery that fails to express the differences between people, communities, and local topography, climate and needs. Industrialization of Western culture evolved since the invention of the (various) engines in the 17th century, in line with technological advancement whose flagship theme in recent years has been real-time data processing: An "industrial" innovation that manages and dictates today all aspects of life. While conventional industrialization was based on repetitive production of modular products, computerized industrialization enabled the creation of disposable products by changing and adjusting in real time the parameters themselves, according to changing constraints; thus creating products in which the difference is greater than the similarities. It is in fact a transition from industrialized production of predefined products to pre-industrialized processes of design. This innovation actually casts doubt on Ecclesiastes' unshakable certainty that "There is nothing new under the sun". It is now clear that the sun itself is constantly changing, as is evident from extreme natural disasters. However, the need to guard building processes against rapid change has created over-regulation designed (ostensibly) to simplify planning and licensing. But in practice it only complicates them with countless laws, regulations, consultants and oversight institutes, necessitating the endless involvement of 'consultants.' Each tries to impose his influence on a process that until recently was the sole domain of the architect. Motivated mainly by the Planning Administration, this heavily bureaucratic situation forces architects to hire services of 'helpers' who take care (legally or food for thought site adapted industrial design Dr. Ami Ran less legally) of the impossible planning constraints. Thus the architect loses control of his own project, and often of the creative desire that brought them to engage in the first place with this increasingly complicated profession. Many years of observation of the state of architecture in the world reveals that Israeli architects have to deal with extreme problems such as Safe Rooms, air conditioning (without which we have no air), and planning corruption that knows no bounds. And in a situation where creative freedom is denied, dogmatic architecture is created everywhere; despairing architects long for the days when the profession of architecture was a dream come true. One way or another, this impossible situation causes a devastating delay in construction beginnings, thus worsening the housing shortage. It is evident that the profession of architecture is currently held captive by power-mad bureaucrats who exacerbate the devastating relations between capital and government. Formally, Israel is graded only in 35th place in the global corruption index out of 180 countries. But from the planning point of view, local corruption is on a roll, starting from planning committees mainly composed of politicians' favorites rather than skilled professionals. Decisions are made out of sight of the public in matters of zoning and land use, resulting in granting of excessive building rights. Moreover, control of all lands of Israel is in the hand of two corrupt bodies: the Israel Infrastructure Administration and the Jewish National Fund (see the State Ombudsman reports). In such a reality, it is not surprising that every young Israeli dreams of a romantic house that reflects nothing more than a simple place that is pleasant to stay in: A simple, aesthetic and functional house, without excessive living spaces that one can get lost in (since someone wanted to take advantage of every square meter allowed by the Master Plan). When design processes are laden with misconceptions which block any possibility for creative thinking, the benefits of industrialization take on a new meaning. The majority of homes in the United States and Europe are made in part or in large part with industrialized components that have passed quality tests and proved beyond any doubt that they are reliable and durable. And as puzzling as it may sound, the hope of giving a unique dimension to Israeli architecture lies precisely in the import of modular elements or even complete homes. If in the past the modular prefabricated structure was fixed and the user had to adapt to its needs, like any other industrial product, today houses can be manufactured in the factory, according to the building permit and detailed work plans. Industrialized construction methods are generally divided into categories: walls, ceilings and roofs, including insulating layer, to be assembled on site (even in residential towers); prefabricated structures built in the factory and imported as a complete unit to the site; fixed kits that can be self-assembled on site; and complete houses consisting of modular units manufactured in the factory. The latter can be adapted today in accordance with the building permit including flooring, kitchens, bathrooms, faucets, windows and doors. Prefabricated production accelerates construction processes (sometimes up to five times). It is more efficient in utilizing building materials (up to half cost); ensures compliance with schedules and construction costs, and reduces greatly construction debris (one of the sandy evils of conventional construction). And, no less important, prefabricated production allows for one-time dealing with the regulations that complicate planning and licensing processes in Israel. A study commissioned in 2019 by