What are the influences apparent in the architecture in Israel?
If you have spent any time in Israel, or even just seen photos of it, you will probably know that the architecture of the country is quite unique, ask Yitz Grossman. Far more stark than building design in many other countries, Israeli architects creating structures with influences you may not know about.
So what are these influences? Why does Israeli architecture look so unique, and how did it come about? Yitz Grossman answers these questions below;
Buildings in Israel — Most of the buildings in the country have been influenced by the different design styles brought in by a wide number of invaders. From the Arabs to the Russians, the Crusaders to the Romans, each country that has invaded Israel brought their own style of design with them.
That means when you look around a typical Israeli city, you will see building design like the Byzantine’s oppulent churches, the turrets of Crusader castles, fancy Arab minarets and gorgeous Russian Orthodox domes.
When you add in the distinctive modern design of Bauhaus homes, Israeli cities are quite a mishmash of styles.
Where are buildings built? Answers Yitz Grossman— These influences are not just on how Israeli buildings look either. They also have an impact on where buildings were built.
The British introduced suburban homes with beautiful gardens, the Christian Crusaders built their religious buildings in places around the area where Jesus supposedly walked and Germanic invaders built homes with beautiful tile roofs, just like you would see in a German village.
Then when you throw in the stark concrete buildings the Israelis themselves designed to house a mass influx of immigrants, it is no wonder it is hard for people to see a consistent theme in Israeli architecture. There really is not one.
Is Israeli building design beautiful? — It actually is beautiful because it is such a mix of design styles from all over the world. Some that fit in with the country’s harsh climate and some that do not.
When you also add that any building in Jerusalem has to be faced with local limestone, you do get some kind of uniformity to to it all. At least in the building materials used.
New buildings — In the last couple of decades, skyscrapers are also being built around the country as land prices increase.
This is giving some areas of the country a much more modern look, which pleases some people and is abhorrent to others.