The Israel Prize for Architecture’s undeserving recipients

Among the general criteria listed for awarding the Israel Prize are “exceptional contribution to Israeli society and culture, Lifetime Achievement and Excellence”. A pity the Israel Prize for Architecture on more than one occasion has been awarded to architects who have designed buildings of dubious quality. Something big has gone wrong.
Following are examples of the work of three prize-winning architects illustrating the problem. While they have at times designed successful projects over the course of long careers, many of their buildings had serious negative impacts, the list too long to cite here as space is limited.
Dan Eytan who received the prize in 2019 designed the squat and brutal exposed concrete fifteen story Clal Center building in the heart pf Jerusalem’s center situated between Jaffa Road and Agrippas Street. A concrete jungle with a deserted interior shopping mall and a confusing circulation system.
The Hyatt Hotel (today’s Dan Jerusalem) with over 500 rooms, one of the largest in the country, was designed by David Resnick. Situated on Mount Scopus overlooking the Judean hills and the Old City skyline, this massive structure is oblivious to its historic natural setting and totally out of scale, not to mention its confusing circulation system, getting around its courts no simple matter.
But the architect who takes the cake is Ram Karmi, who was awarded the Israel Prize for Architecture in 2022, nine years after! his design for the Tel-Aviv Central Bus Station was inaugurated, the ceremony attended by Prime Minister Rabin and Tel-Aviv Mayor Shlomo Lahat, two former generals obviously ignorant in these matters.
At 230,000 square meters it was the second largest bus station in the world. A violent intervention in the urban fabric, bus ramps to its upper floors almost touch adjacent existing buildings, its labyrinthine circulation system inviting criminal activity, attracting illegal migrants from all over the country. Shortly after its opening, the adjacent neighborhood – Neve Shaanan, became a high crime area, its population exchanged. The building, a cancerous growth, led to the deterioration not only of Neve Shaanan but all of South Tel-Aviv. Karmi never took responsibility.
The situation today: Avoiding what must be this mammoth’s ultimate fate – its destruction, the only alternative enabling the restoration of the urban fabric with emphasis on public open space lacking in this area, Tel-Aviv municipality and the Ministry of Transportation have decided on merely making changes to the building’s use, its ramps dismantled, buses moved elsewhere.
Three architects worthy of the prize:
Are there architects who meet Israel Prize criteria? Proposed here is that the Israel Prize for Architecture be awarded posthumously to David Kroyanker who passed away last year at 86. While credited with the successful restoration of the Ticho House in central Jerusalem, even if he hadn’t built a single square meter, Kroyanker’s contribution to Israeli society and culture stands out. Architect, urban planner and historian, his more than thirty books on Jerusalem’s architectural heritage, an invaluable record, a true lifetime achievement. Often campaigning to rescue historic buildings in danger of destruction, Kroyanker contributed to landmark preservation and importantly, to public awareness as well.
Till now the Israel Prize has always been awarded to individuals. As the scale of planning and building projects has increased significantly, more and more architect’s offices with larger staff are led by partners. Had I to choose an architectural firm active in Israel today, my vote would go to Amir Mann and Ami Shinar – Tel-Aviv, whose work over many years has been at a consistently sensitive and high level. Among their recent projects a 2.5 kilometer promenade along Haifa’s waterfront with new proposed buildings.
Needless to say, politics has often entered into decisions regarding the awards, the Ministry of Education finally responsible. The field of architecture requires a criteria for winning the prize be added: consistency of design at a high level.

Gerard Heumann – Architect and Urban Designer, Jerusalem