The local committee for planning and construction in Haifa recently approved the plan for the construction of a new building for the Faculty of Aeronautics and Space Engineering at the Technion, near the old building built in the 50s. However, the move arouses controversy: opponents of the project claim that the construction of the new building must be conditioned on the restoration of the historic building, out of concern for its future.
Parts of the building sank
Recall that in 2021 parts of the old building sank due to its weak foundations, which led to the formation of serious cracks in the building. A similar case also occurred in the 80s, when the building was renovated while the activity in it continued as a series. Today, the old building is not renovated, damaged wings in it have been locked, and activity takes place only in its normal parts.
Supporters of the building's restoration raise questions about its future: will it remain in use after the new building is built? And if so, for what purpose will it be used? In their opinion, it should be ensured that the historical building is cared for and preserved as part of the faculty's academic and architectural heritage.
First restore the historical building
The architect Aurelia Kirmeir presented a reservation in the plenary of the local committee for planning and construction, in which she emphasized its historical and architectural importance. According to her, the building is considered one of the three central and significant buildings on the campus, and therefore the approval of the construction of the new building must be conditioned on carrying out a constructive restoration of the office wing in the old building and restoring it to normal operation.
In the presentation presented by Kirmeir to the members of the committee, it was stated that the two underground floors of the new building are planned to be built at a distance of only about 2 meters from the closed wings of the historic building. Kirmeir also emphasized that the restoration of the building must be ensured for preservation before work begins on the new building, for fear of further damage to the historic building.
At the end, Kirmeir also referred to the expected costs: according to her, the cost of constructing the new building is about 100 million NIS, while the restoration of the historic building is estimated to cost significantly less - between 5 and 10 million NIS only. According to Kirmeir, investing in the restoration of the building for preservation is not only essential for the preservation of the heritage, but also economically viable.
A structure of special importance
The building of the Faculty of Aeronautics and Space Engineering at the Technion, designed by the architect Prof. Yochanan Ratner, is an architectural and historical milestone on the campus. Ratner, who was the dean of the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning and one of the most prominent architects in Israel, designed the unique building that was erected in the early 50s.
The building is considered to be of special importance, not only because it is the first to be built on the Technion campus, but also due to its exceptional architectural values, which combine a design vision and unique aesthetics. It is a historical and architectural symbol that represents the development of the campus and the Israeli academy in its early years.
"Historical monument of national value"
The group of graduates of the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning at the Technion wrote a letter to the president of the Technion, Prof. Uri Sion, calling for the preservation of the historical building of the faculty. In their letter, the graduates referred to their previous appeal in September 2022 and stated: "Our appeal stems from the importance of the building as a historical monument of national value, from the need to respect the built heritage as a cultural basis for progress, and from the recognition of the role of the Technion - and in particular the Faculty of Architecture - as a trailblazer in architectural and urban culture in Israel." According to them, preserving the building is not only an architectural matter but also a valuable and symbolic one, which is essential for preserving the legacy of the Technion and the academy in Israel.
The architects welcome the cancellation of the plan to demolish the historic building of the Faculty of Aeronautics, but emphasize the urgent need for its renovation. "We were happy to hear that the planning of the faculty's new building is progressing, and that it will integrate with the entrance plaza and courtyard of the historic building," we noted.
However, they express deep concern that the current plans do not include a commitment to the preservation of the old building or reference to its future purpose as part of the expansion of the faculty. According to them, this disregard could harm the Technion's historical and architectural heritage and its status as a cultural leader in the fields of architecture and engineering.
"will worsen the condition of the historic building"
The Site Preservation Council expressed deep concern about the Technion's plan to build a new building for the Faculty of Aeronautics near the historic building, and claims that this could worsen the physical condition of the old building.
"These days mark 100 years since the start of studies at the Technion, and this is the moment when one of the leading educational institutions in the world should do everything in its power to preserve its glorious past and its historical foundations," the council says. "The building of the Faculty of Aeronautics, which is the first to be built on the Technion's current campus, is an important symbol of the institution and has significant historical and architectural value. Despite this, its physical condition has deteriorated significantly in recent years, and the Technion's management initially chose to destroy the building and rebuild it - a decision that goes against basic principles in the world of preservation" .
Following widespread opposition from the public, leading conservation bodies such as the Council for the Preservation of Sites and Icomos Israel, as well as graduates of the Faculty of Architecture at the Technion, the management withdrew from the demolition plan. However, he did not advance a comprehensive restoration of the historic building, but instead decided to advance the construction of a new building next to it. The Council for the Preservation of Sites warns that the expected intensive construction works near the historic building may further damage it, and cries out that the plan approved by the local committee does not include steps to preserve or stabilize this important building.
"No on account The glorious historical heritage"
The Site Preservation Council also says that the development and expansion of the Faculty of Aeronautics and Space Engineering is welcome, but cannot come at the expense of the magnificent historical heritage of the campus in general and the faculty in particular.
"The council demands that the Technion management and the Haifa municipality restore and revive the historic aeronautics building, by preparing an appropriate program and an architectural and engineering plan, which will be part of any procedure for new construction in the faculty complex, as well as making adjustments to the design of the new building so that it does not damage the historic building but complements it in a proper and respectful manner design and architecture.
The Technion and the Municipality of Haifa must act immediately and in an uncompromising way to anchor the preservation of the historic buildings on the campus in the EPA, as part of the master plan that is being formed for the Technion and on the basis of the original survey that was conducted about a decade ago for the campus by the preservation architects," the Preservation Council concludes.
"The faculty needs a new building that will fit the needs of the 21st century"
The Technion responded Because the local committee for planning and construction in Haifa approved the plan for the construction of a new building for the Faculty of Aeronautics and Space Engineering at the Technion. The new building, named after Stephen and Nancy Grand, one of the great friends of the Technion, is designed to fulfill the needs of the Steven Klein Faculty of Aeronautics and Space Engineering, the only one in its field in Israel, which is constantly growing. The faculty trains most of the engineers who staff the aeronautics and space industries in Israel and its graduates hold senior positions in the field. In January 2024, a graduate of the faculty, Prof. Daniela Reva, assumed the position of dean of the faculty and she leads it in advanced growth and development processes.
In recent years, the faculty has grown both in terms of the number of faculty members and the scope of research, as well as in terms of the number of students, so it needs a new building that will fit the needs of the 21st century. The new building will be built near the historic building, and will combine elements of innovation and preservation. It will have eight floors, its total area will cover 7200 square meters, and it will have advanced laboratories and research and development infrastructure. The construction will be done while ensuring compliance with environmental standards and architectural integration with the landscape and the nearby historical and modern buildings. The entrance complex to the new building will be integrated with the renovated teaching area of the old building. The new building will allow the faculty to absorb new researchers, to initiate fields new in research and teaching, to expand its activities in research and development and to maintain its international position in research and engineering education. The new building will make it possible to significantly increase the number of students in all degrees and improve the teaching and research infrastructures."
A building is a useful tool. When a tool ceases to be useful, and in this case even becomes dangerous for the user, and obsolete for filling and no longer valid for its purpose, they tend to replace it.
Over the years, carriages were replaced by cars, typewriters by keyboards and single-engine piper planes by jets. Even an outdated building, not adapted to the generation, and dangerous for its occupants must be replaced.
I believe that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and even today it is possible to create a beautiful vessel (in the eyes of the beholder). Talented architects with high aesthetic senses are among us even now.
In my humble opinion, leaving a worn out tool only because of a sectoral or family lobby supported by a narrow but noisy righteous cell inspires disgust. Vigorous typing of slogans, advice and financial assessments disconnected from economic reality, as well as issuing arrogant imperatives is a hasty act that ignores the needs of the users and their contribution to science and the country.
A people needs to preserve not only spiritual, religious and artistic culture but also urban culture. The buildings and the cities are the greatest creation of humanity. We need not only to destroy the old in front of the new but to know how to spend budgets to preserve interesting and historical buildings. The question is whether this building is of historical interest and has a real contribution to architectural heritage in Israel and the answer to the regret of those who support its preservation is no.
He has no real contribution. There are two options:
A. Build it exactly 1:1 anew but in accordance with today's needs and standards.
on. build something completely new.
I am in favor of the first option of not completely erasing the building. It tells a certain story about how the faculty buildings looked at the beginning of the state's establishment and I think the solution is to rebuild it 1:1
There is enough other land nearby to build additional buildings for the faculty.
Yes, care should be taken to preserve construction from the 50s-70s, not only stone buildings and Bauhaus
A number of important historical details were forgotten in all the publications on the subject.
Prof. Yochanan Ratner and Ben Gurion jointly decided on the location for Kiryat Technion when the campus in Hadar became crowded.
Ratner, in his genius, took advantage of the location of the faculty and built a unique, impressive structure that resembles the shape of an airplane overlooking the Haifa Bay, and this is forgotten in all the publications.
Another important detail - in the center of the building in the cockpit, which for many years was the Technion's visitors' center, where all the Technion's important guests were hosted until the Kohler Center was established.
In Hadar Carmel in front of Beit Itin and near the Technion parking lot, there is an old stone building, with spikes instead of a roof railing and with shaky foundations. If it is destroyed, it will be possible to expand the parking lot and the public will enjoy it. Why not do that?
This is a historical building. Good and blessed morning to everyone.
History must be preserved alongside the renewal.