Page 27 - The Architecture of Nadler-Nadler-Bixon-Gil

construction. The concrete construction of the frame
and the internal administrative organization are apparent
on the building’s three main facades, erected opposite
the site of the wholesale market (1952-2006), and still
functioning today as a central urban wall at the busy
junction of Carlebach and HaHashmonaim streets.

This building is another benchmark, continuing
the topographic positioning implemented at Ruppin
College, in the building’s relation to its surroundings.
The importance of the Israel Bank of Agriculture building
stems both from abandoning the focus on the building’s
exterior in favor of emphasizing its frame, and in founding
a tradition that joins arts and crafts with architecture,
a trait that was to characterize the firm’s future work.
Initially, softening motifs in the shape of wheat stalks
fabricated by the firm were incorporated into the building’s
facades. These however, were not satisfactory leading
the architects to realize the advantages of working with
artists on architectural designs.

In September 1949 the Nadlers won the second
prize at the important competition for planning the
conference and exhibition building in Jerusalem, which
became Binyanei HaUma (International Convention
Center). The first prize was won by Ze’ev Rechter, a
founding figure of the pre-State generation of architects,
with whom the Nadlers were acquainted from his frequent
visits to the Technion.

Shulamit and Michael Nadler
(standing on the right) at the
Keren Cinema construction site,
Beer Sheva, early 1950s
‫שולמית ומיכאל נדלר (עומדים מימין) באתר‬
,‫ באר־שבע‬,‫הבנייה של קולנוע קרן‬
50‫ראשית שנות ה־‬

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