Academic
Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, Jerusalem
In 1906, at the encouragement of Theodor Herzl, Boris Schatz founded an art center at 1 Bezalel Street in Jerusalem, later named "Bezalel" after the biblical artisan who designed the Tabernacle and its ritual objects. Schatz purchased three buildings from by a wealthy Egyptian Arab. One was used as his residence and the other two became the Bezalel art school, based on the Russian concept of an arts and crafts school and workshop. In the following years, Schatz organized exhibitions of his students' work in Europe and the United States; they were the first international exhibitions of Jewish artists from Palestine. In the wake of financial difficulties, the school closed in 1929 but reopened in 1935 as the New Bezalel School for Arts and Crafts. Although the Design Academy moved to the Hebrew University in mid 1980s, by 1992, an exhibition of the Department of Architecture is opened in the historic building. The Firm began the expansion of the Bezalel Academy with:
In 2007 the Firm began the renovation and reconstruction of two of the three historical buildings in downtown Jerusalem, as well as overseeing the planning and design of new integrated buildings to enlarge and modernize the school of Architecture.
The scope of work included the management and supervision of construction, rehabilitation and preservation of the historic buildings, complete with new connecting structures, building systems, and quality studio space. The challenge was to work within the confines of historic buildings requiring full restoration, and new construction to integrate the spaces and programme to accommodate 300 students.
| Client: | Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design |
|---|---|
| Location: | Jerusalem, Bezalel Street |
| Architect / Planner: | Prof Arie Sivan, Horacio Schwartz |
| Size: | 2,400 m² |
| Budget: | $6M - 24M shekels |
| Completion: | 2008 |
Israel has for the first time hosted an anonymous international competition for architects, open to candidates in Israel and abroad, and conducted according to the highest standards. In 2006, an international architect competition was declared open for design of the future Bezalel campus in downtown Jerusalem. Relocation of the national art and design academy to the heart of urban life in Jerusalem is expected to promote interaction between the students and the surrounding activities. From the city's point of view, it would be adopting a young, creative and vibrant community in its midst, infusing it with a fresh and original vitality. The new premises are located in the Russian Compound, on the boundary between New Jerusalem and the Old City, a historical area abounding in heritage, scenery and unique environmental features. Construction of such an academy, which has enjoyed the support of the government and the city's mayor, on the line separating east from west, constitutes an unusual professional challenge for designers, who must pay particular attention to the creation of modern architectural concepts.
The scope of work included developing the programme, designing, organizing and conducting the international competition, providing technical advice to the Jury and publishing the results.
The project includes approximately - 40,000 m² at a cost of approximately - $ 80 million and is designed to absorb all the 12 departments of the Academy (approximately - about 3,000 students - faculty members teaching in 1000). The project architects are in advanced stages of planning and design.
| Client: | Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design |
|---|---|
| Location: | Jerusalem, Russian Compound |
| Architect / Planner: | STUDYO Architects, Cologne |
| Architect / Planner: | MOLHO architects, Jerusalem |
| Size: | 40,000 m² |
| Budget: | $80 M – 320M shekels |
| Completion: | In planning |
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