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CURIOSITY
Readers Write
Prizes and Competitions The Israel Rokach Prize for Architecture will be awarded
this year for the planning and construction of a building or a cluster
of buildings, building conservation or a unique architectural creation
within the city of Tel Aviv-Jaffa. Deadline June 20. Events An architectural seminar in memory of the late Yacov Rechter took place in Ma'alot-Tarshiya. Initiated by the Architects' Association, the two and half day event was attended by many architects and theorists from other fields. Architect Yaron Turrel, enthused by the seminar, promised to write a few words about it, but has since forgotten. The Association of Friends of Haifa Museums is organizing a series of lectures titled 'Architectural Pearls: The Envelope and its Content.' The two lectures remaining are 'Frank Gehry and the Bilbao Spaceship,' to be presented by Gilit Ivgi on June 1, and the 'Al Mansfield, The Israel and Botanical Museums,' by architect Michael Mansfield and Haim Kehat on June 15. The lectures, accompanied by slides, coffee and refreshments, will be held at the 'Tikotin Museum of Japanese Art' (planned by Al Mansfield), 89 Hanassi Boulevard, Haifa. For details call 04-8383554. Exhibitions The Migdalor Gallery at the Architects' House in Jaffa is offering a series of exhibits presenting local architectural phenomenon. Landscape architect and artist Neama Meishar 'reenacts a piece of Israeli nature, a Poplar orchard, in which sculptural situations are integrated, connecting the Israeli, seemingly innocent nature to various situations of violence.' Yaron Ben Haim's video clip documents Neama's work in progress. Another exhibit, the 'Housing Unit,' expresses the resident's range of choices in relation to his means and needs. Photographer Yair Barak presents photos of model apartments from various building sites around the country, and photographer Tal Garbash exhibits portraits of occupied apartments. Curator: Shelly Cohen. Projects Goldar Hotel and Office Complex. Centrally
located at the end of the junction of the town's main street and the
Mediterranean Sea, Netanya's Independence Square has always been a
central venue for public events such as demonstrations, rallies, concerts,
, dances, and book fairs. With Netanya's gradual transformation from
a summer vacation town to choice real estate, the square is losing
its place as the heart of the town. A number of conceptual plans proposed
over the last decade have all reached a dead end, from lack of fiscal
support or practicality. One solution would be to focus on reinforcing
the square's role in public life with levies raised on the improved
real estate valuation around the square. The Davidson Exhibition and Virtual Reconstruction Center,
Jerusalem, has been inaugurated near the Jerusalem Archeological Park,
between the Dung Gate and the Western Wall. The center will illustrate
5,000 years of archeology throughout three key periods - the Second
Temple, Byzantine and the Omayic periods(?). One of the most impressive
buildings in the area was the Omayic Castle built there during the
seventh and eighth centuries. The site has been excavated to ground
level of the castle and its four cellars have become an information
and illustration center. Movement around the site is via circular
ramps which start at roof level and end at the courtyard level where
the Archeological Park is located. The gradual descent enables one
to experience the various periods while viewing a unique exhibition.
The contrast between ancient and modern is emphasized through the
deliberate disconnection of the new building components (light steel
and wooden ramps, glass walls and a suspended steel roof) from the
massive ancient stone walls. The South Africa Jewish Museum, Cape Town, South Africa,
is another project by designer Dorit Harel and curator Rene Sivan.
Entered via a synagogue built in 1860, the museum is part of the Jeiwsh
community center of Cape Town. The two storey building is a Jerusalem
stone-faced rectangular box, and an extraordinary phenomenon within
the urban context of Cape Town. The museum depicts the past and present
of the Jewish community in South Africa and its meaning, wanderings
and unity. A new Eilat Municipal Center is currently in its early
planning stages. the 13,000 square meter municipal center will be
another example of multi-form architecture - a result efforts invested
by architects in winning the little competitions available in the
building field. The building is 'planted' within the city's central
park, and comprises three main sections connected through a system
of open and closed squares: a main office building, a connecting spiral
construction and a council hall. The entrance square integrates the
public park within the building. The Bahai 'Hanging Gardens' in haifh, by architect Faribuz
Sahba has been officially inaugurated. The gardens, stretching 400
meter wide and run from the top of the Carmel Mountain to the German
Colony quarter of the lower city. The planning and construction of
this prominent and unique project took six years. The gardens are
open to the public (at certain hours). Note: barbecuing is not allowed.
See extensive coverage of this project in Architecture of Israel #22.
Students On the Verge of Architecture |
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