Israel as A Modern Architectural Experimental Lab, 1948-1978

This collection discusses the innovative and experimental architecture of Israel during its first three decades following the nation’s establishment in 1948. Written by leading researchers, the volume highlights new perspectives on the topic, discussing the inception, modernization, and habitation of historic and lesser-researched areas alike in its interrogation. Inbal Ben-Asher Gitler and Anat Geva show how Israeli nation building, in its cultural, political, and historical contexts, constituted an exceptional experiment in modern architecture. Examples include modern experiments in mass housing design; public architecture such as exhibition spaces, youth villages, and synagogues; a necessary consideration of climate in modern architectural experiments; and the exportation of Israeli modern architecture to other countries.

“"Makes an important contribution to this growing body of literature by bringing together case studies of different kinds of buildings in a variety of sites across Israel and outside the country. . . . The book covers diverse landscapes, it also leaves a number of areas for future investigation. . . . An invaluable addition to the study of Israeli architecture, but it will also be of interest to anyone studying the relationship between modernist architecture and nation building more generally."”

'Israel as a Modern Architectural Experimental Lab, [is] another manifestation of [the] renewed appreciation of early state architecture and adds to our collective understanding of the role concrete played in Israel’s magnificent construction.'

'Israel as a Modern Architectural Experimental Lab, 1948–1978 makes an important contribution to this growing body of literature by bringing together case studies of different kinds of buildings in a variety of sites across Israel and outside the country. [...] The book covers diverse landscapes, it also leaves a number of areas for future investigation. [...] An invaluable addition to the study of Israeli architecture, but it will also be of interest to anyone studying the relationship between modernist architecture and nation building more generally.'

Inbal Ben-Asher Gitler is a senior lecturer at Sapir Academic College and an adjunct lecturer at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel.

Anat Geva is professor at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas.

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.