Arieh Sharon and Modern Architecture in Israel: Building Social Pragmatism

Arieh Sharon, a graduate of the Bauhaus, was the director and chief architect of the National Planning Department in Israel after the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. He designed many of Israel's institutions during the 1950s and 1960s, including hospitals and buildings on university campuses. This book explores his wide range of work and examines his perception of architecture in both socialist and pragmatist terms. It also explores his modernist approach to architecture and his subsequent shift to Brutalist architecture.

Format: Unspecified
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 30 November 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Arieh Sharon, a prominent figure in Israeli architecture, has left an indelible mark on the field with his innovative designs and plans. His work, showcased in "Arieh Sharon and Modern Architecture in Israel: Building Social Pragmatism," offers a comprehensive survey of his career, analyzing and discussing his designs and plans in the context of the emergence of the State of Israel. Sharon, a graduate of the renowned Bauhaus school, began his architectural journey in Germany before returning to Mandatory Palestine. There, he established his office, which initially focused on planning kibbutzim and residential buildings in Tel Aviv.

However, his impact extended far beyond the borders of Israel. After the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, Sharon assumed the role of the director and chief architect of the National Planning Department. His task was to devise the country's first national masterplan, a plan that would shape the development of the young nation. Known as the Sharon Plan, it was instrumental in laying the foundation for the modern state of Israel.

During the 1950s and 1960s, Sharon's architectural prowess was on full display. He designed numerous institutions in Israel, including hospitals and buildings on university campuses. His work encompassed a wide range of styles, from socialist to pragmatist, and from modernist to brutalist. This book presents a comprehensive overview of Sharon's exceptional range of work, examining his perception of architecture in both socialist and pragmatist terms. It also explores his modernist approach to architecture and his subsequent shift to Brutalist architecture, when he partnered with Benjamin Idelson in the 1950s and when his son, Eldar Sharon, joined the office in 1964.

"Arieh Sharon and Modern Architecture in Israel: Building Social Pragmatism" fills a significant gap in the historiography of Israeli architecture, particularly in the realm of modern architecture. It sheds light on Sharon's contributions to the field and provides valuable insights into the development of Israeli architecture and modern architecture more broadly. This book will be of interest to researchers in architecture, modern architecture, Israel studies, Middle Eastern studies, and migration of knowledge.

Weight: 650g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032504087