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The White City of Tel Aviv is the largest collection of Bauhaus-style buildings in the world. UNESCO recognizes Tel Aviv as a World Heritage Site for this reason, and its beautiful white buildings are truly captivating. In addition to the Tel Aviv Bauhaus architecture that characterizes the city, there is also an array of eclectic architecture in Tel Aviv buildings and many modern buildings that create a magnificent, unique architectural mosaic. Admire even more fascinating architecture up close on our Tel Aviv Saturday Walking Tour: Florentin & Park HaMesila.
History of Tel Aviv Architecture
Tel Aviv was founded in 1909. The founders of the city, known as Ahuzat Bayit (the Housing Estate Association), turned for advice to several planners, including Wilhelm Stiassny, Josef Treidel, and Avraham Goldmann. In May 1910, they changed the name of the city to Tel Aviv. In November 1909, the first families moved from Jaffa to Ahuzat Bayit. By the end of the month, 50 families had moved in.
In March 1910, Akiva Weiss (a founder of Ahuzat Bayit) moved with his family to a house on Herzl Street. Soon after, Weiss’s wife gave birth to Tel Aviv’s firstborn child, a girl named Ahazabit. By the end of 1909, the first houses were built on Rothschild Boulevard. “Architects designed the houses in Neo-Classic Romantic Style, including the ‘Twin House’ on the corner of Strauss and Mazeh Street, the ‘Levine’ House on Rothschild Boulevard, and the ‘Pagoda’ House at the intersection of Melchett, Nachmani, and Montefiore Streets.
Later Styles
From 1924 until 1929 the building designs were in the eclectic style, classic architecture Tel Aviv is known for, with an Oriental aspect and ancient Jewish ceramic motifs. You will find examples of Eclectic buildings on Nahalat-Binyamin Street and Ehad Ha’am Street,
From 1930 until 1938, more than 4,500 buildings were designed in the Bauhaus architecture Tel Aviv style. In Tel Aviv, they designed these houses with deep, rounded balconies, flat roofs, horizontal windows to cut the glare of the Mediterranean sun, and a beautiful whitewashed exterior. The buildings of the Bauhaus School inspired the architects, particularly the “French” balconies. The ideal Tel Aviv apartment must be cool in summer and comfortably warm in the winter. Given the lack of thermal insulation at that time, the architect needed to use natural features such as the sun. The west-facing rooms stayed cooler in the morning, while the east-facing ones received better ventilation in the afternoon. This is why the living rooms face west, and the bedrooms face east. These were the types of considerations that guided the Bauhaus architects in their plans for the unit apartments.
Visiting These Sites
You can admire these sites by visiting the “Braun” house on Ehad-Ha’am Street, the Shami house on Frug Street, the Kruskal house on Idelsohn Street, and the Reisfeld house on Hayarkon Street.
On June 7th, 2003, UNESCO declared the inner city of Tel Aviv a World Heritage Site, saving the 4,500 Bauhaus buildings (and the buildings designed in 1909) from their destruction.
Over the past few years, developers have mass-restored Tel Aviv’s traditional buildings while constructing modern glass skyscrapers across the city, creating a unique and stunning contrast like no other!
Tel Aviv Architecture Tours
To discover more insights into Tel Aviv’s beauty, be sure to check out our design guide for Tel Aviv. Additionally, our Tel Aviv Saturday Walking Tour: Florentin & Park HaMesila is a fascinating way to discover vibrant street art, quaint neighborhoods, and the city’s creative energy. Another fantastic option is joining our Best of Tel Aviv, Jaffa & Carmel Market Day Tour, in which you’ll marvel at magnificent street art, stroll through charming streets, and indulge in mouthwatering local delicacies at the Carmel Market. Ultimately, the best way to see other gorgeous attractions in Israel is through our Israel Package Tours. You’ll venture across Israel’s incredible highlights, led by an expert tour guide, while we organize your inclusive transfers, spectacular hotels, and exciting activities.
