Bauhaus Treasures Beginning to Get the Care They Deserve in Tel Aviv

JoAnn Greco explores Tel Aviv's trove of neglected Bauhaus treasures, which date to the growth of the brand-new Israeli city as a haven for Jews fleeing Nazi Germany.

1 minute read

April 3, 2012, 8:00 AM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


Dating to the city's formative period, "as the city grew dramatically and welcomed new immigrants in the 1920s and '30s, the city's bright white edifices have become a hallmark, typically portrayed as glowing entrancingly under brilliant blue skies."

According to Greco, the new city, established in 1909, "provided a blank slate upon which architects could experiment." Tour guide Michal Minsky describes the attraction of the modern style this way: "The Bauhaus was very plain, so it fit everyone. The idea was not to show off. Everything was new and everything was the same."

Greco, however, finds many neglected examples during her travels through the city, despite a UNESCO conference organized around the topic held in 1994 and World Heritage designation in 2003. Although only about 1000 of the city's 4000 Bauhaus structures are currently protected by historic preservation guidelines, Greco describes nascent city efforts to "help building owners and developers give the structures the tender loving care they so need and deserve."

Friday, March 30, 2012 in The Washington Post

View form second story inside Southdale Mall in Edina, Minnesota with escalators and model cars parked on downstairs floor.

The Mall Is Dead — Long Live the Mall

The American shopping mall may be closer to its original vision than ever.

March 21, 2024 - Governing

View of Austin, Texas skyline with river in foreground during morning golden hour.

The Paradox of American Housing

How the tension between housing as an asset and as an essential good keeps the supply inadequate and costs high.

March 26, 2024 - The Atlantic

Houston, Texas skyline.

Report: Las Vegas, Houston Top List of Least Affordable Cities

The report assesses the availability of affordable rental units for low-income households.

March 22, 2024 - Urban Edge

Aerial view of Anchorage, Alaska downtown with mountains in background at golden hour.

Anchorage Leaders Debate Zoning Reform Plan

Last year, the city produced the fewest new housing units in a decade.

3 hours ago - Anchorage Daily News

Young man in wheelchair crossing zebra crosswalk.

How to Protect Pedestrians With Disabilities

Public agencies don’t track traffic deaths and injuries involving disabled people, leaving a gap in data to guide safety interventions.

4 hours ago - Governing

Aerial view of mountain town of Steamboat Springs, Colorado in the winter with snow at dusk.

Colorado Town Fills Workforce Housing Need With ‘Dorm-Style’ Housing

Median rent in Steamboat Springs is $4,000 per month.

5 hours ago - CBS News

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.