The Rejection of the Local
The proposed discussion will focus on the rejection of local and regional modern paradigms that were developed by the majority of Zionist architects between 1920 and 1948 in pre-state Palestine. Through parallel analysis of "real" architectural examples (built mainly in Tel Aviv) and written texts, this paper considers the theoretical and practical contribution of two "emarginated" architectural figures: Leo Adler (1891–1962) and Ya’acov Pinkerfeld (1897–1955) who are barely mentioned in the contemporary historiography. These architects, motivated by various ideological, political and cultural standpoints, opposed the widespread adoption of European modernist paradigms by the Zionist establishment and were among the few that tried to develop an integrated modern space within the local and regional political, cultural and physical context.
Yossi (Joseph) Klein, Ph.D., is an assistant professor at the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem where he teaches Architectural studio courses as well as Architectural History and Theory. Yossi Klein studied Architecture in Venice and Environmental Design in Jerusalem where he received his Ph.D. in Historical and Cultural Geography from Hebrew University, Jerusalem. As an author, he has published pieces on several subjects based on the history and theory of Architecture, among them The Americanization of Tel Aviv, 2012.