A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
New Brutalism, new nation: Ram Karmi’s assimilation of Brutalism in Israel’s arid region architecture
In this article, I discuss the impact of Brutalism in Israel. I look at the Negev Centre (1962–1965), one of Israel’s first Brutalist buildings by the Israeli architect Ram Karmi. Having studied in Britain, Karmi implemented Alison and Peter Smithson’s Brutalist concepts in his architecture. But he also followed the principles of Team 10. Moreover, since the Negev Centre is located in a desert, he had to adapt Brutalism to an arid climate. As such, his design included elements inspired by Middle Eastern architecture and references to Israeli culture. Analysing Karmi’s theory and practice through its associations with the work of the Smithsons and Team 10, I demonstrate how the social notions of these Western European architects, who proposed a novel relationship between architecture and urban planning, were implemented locally, as Karmi enlisted them for addressing the challenges faced by an Israeli architect. In addition, I show that Karmi adopted an approach to materials similar to that of the Smithsons by assimilating their industrial and ‘poetic’ qualities. Finally, I argue that Karmi’s interpretation of the Smithsons’ work demonstrates that the global spread of Brutalism consisted of a multi-faceted design approach that extended well beyond the use of exposed concrete, expressing social concerns and a renewed engagement with questions of locality.
New Brutalism, new nation: Ram Karmi’s assimilation of Brutalism in Israel’s arid region architecture
In this article, I discuss the impact of Brutalism in Israel. I look at the Negev Centre (1962–1965), one of Israel’s first Brutalist buildings by the Israeli architect Ram Karmi. Having studied in Britain, Karmi implemented Alison and Peter Smithson’s Brutalist concepts in his architecture. But he also followed the principles of Team 10. Moreover, since the Negev Centre is located in a desert, he had to adapt Brutalism to an arid climate. As such, his design included elements inspired by Middle Eastern architecture and references to Israeli culture. Analysing Karmi’s theory and practice through its associations with the work of the Smithsons and Team 10, I demonstrate how the social notions of these Western European architects, who proposed a novel relationship between architecture and urban planning, were implemented locally, as Karmi enlisted them for addressing the challenges faced by an Israeli architect. In addition, I show that Karmi adopted an approach to materials similar to that of the Smithsons by assimilating their industrial and ‘poetic’ qualities. Finally, I argue that Karmi’s interpretation of the Smithsons’ work demonstrates that the global spread of Brutalism consisted of a multi-faceted design approach that extended well beyond the use of exposed concrete, expressing social concerns and a renewed engagement with questions of locality.
New Brutalism, new nation: Ram Karmi’s assimilation of Brutalism in Israel’s arid region architecture
Gitler, Inbal Ben-Asher (author)
The Journal of Architecture ; 26 ; 316-339
2021-04-03
24 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
Unknown
| Taylor & Francis Verlag | 2019
| TIBKAT | 2013
| Taylor & Francis Verlag | 2006
| Online Contents | 1994
British Library Online Contents | 2019