Interview with Prof. Arch. Els Verbakel, Head of the School of Architecture

In an interview with Ynet, Prof. Arch. Els Verbakel, head of the Bezalel School of Architecture, responds to British designer Thomas Heatherwick’s new approach to architectural education, which he calls “joyful architecture.” The approach aims to educate towards the planning and designing of extraordinary, happy buildings that connect emotion and design through the use of special materials and unusual designs. 

“The whole discussion about ‘joyful architecture’ is a response to the consequences of the modernist and functional planning of the 20th century, which at its core advocated for maximal optimization of space,” explains architect Prof. Verbakel in the interview.  “One of the consequences of this was the formation of oppressive environments like the Israeli low-income housing developments, the residential projects around Paris, and the American suburbs. These places were designed to be repetitive, similar to machines. Studies even prove that this design leads to an increase in depression, divorce, and even suicide.” 

In response to the effects of modernism and functional planning, Heatherwick claims there is a need today for rethinking architectural studies in the world. 

“I agree that architectural education requires rethinking of how we are supposed to teach the profession. This change already exists, especially in advanced schools of architecture around the world that deal with diverse issues such as the environment, society, politics and more,” says Verbakel, noting the changes made in the programs at Bezalel in recent years: “We underwent a long collaborative process with the academic staff and students to rethink what we should be teaching. Various themes that challenge modernism emerged and we are in a different place today.” 

For the full article on the Ynet website