November Talks – speeches by architects from Israel at the Faculty of Architecture of ČVUT

Four personalities of the contemporary Israeli scene will be presented in November by the Faculty of Architecture in collaboration with the Sto-Stiftung Foundation. David Knaf, Etan Kimmel, Leor Levinger, and Ada Karmi-Melamede will speak. In the Gočár lecture hall, New Building of ČVUT in Prague, Thákurova 9, Prague 6 – Dejvice. Every Monday at 18:30. On the 9th, 16th, 23rd, and 30th of November 2015.



The realization of the lecture series is made possible by the support of the Czech Technical University in Prague and especially due to the collaboration with the Sto-Stiftung Foundation, which offered the FA ČVUT inclusion of the series into the existing lecture series on contemporary architecture “November Talks.” This series has been running for the 10th year at leading schools of architecture – in Stuttgart, Graz, Milan, Paris, and for the first time this year also in London and Prague.

In selecting the speakers, Haifa architect Shraga Kirshner assisted, suggesting to approach significant creators from both the older and middle generations, who represent a progressive and valuable "mainstream" of the local scene through their work.
The series will kick off on November 9, 2015, with a lecture by David Knaf, who is among other things the author of the Israeli pavilion at EXPO Milano 2015. This will be followed on November 16 by Etan Kimmel and on November 23 by Leor Levinger. The final lecture on November 30 will present the work of Ada Karmi-Melamede, the oldest and perhaps most prominent lady of Israeli architecture, co-author of the Supreme Court building in Jerusalem, whose stance characterizes the realism of the entire Israeli scene: “I believe that architecture is about creating places and not about photographing architecture; thus, reality, not illusion. Meanwhile, the architectural concept lies in space, its logic in structure, and its mood in light.”

Information about the speakers
David Knafo - Knafo Klimor Architects
The office was founded by David Knafo and Tagit Klimor in 1980. In addition to architects, the team also includes planners and designers. The office made its mark in 2007 in the international competition for sustainable housing organized by Living Steel. The proposal came with a new sustainable typology Agro-Housing, which combines agricultural lifestyle with urban living. Architect Klimor teaches at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa. Recent successes of the office include the realization of the Israeli pavilion at this year's Expo in Milan.
http://www.kkarc.com/

Etan Kimmel - Kimmel Eshkolot Architects
Kimmel Eshkolot Architects was established in 1986 by Etan Kimmel and Michael Kimmel Eshkolot. In its first year, they participated in the work of protecting and revitalizing the historic Tel Aviv suburb of Neve Tzedek. In 1993, they received the "Rokach" award for their work in Neve Tzedek. “As architects, we have a great responsibility for the environment, so sustainable development has become the main driving force of our thinking. We want the project to be true in its essence, rich in its completeness, yet simple.”
http://www.kimmel.co.il/

Leor Levinger - Studio Urbanof
Studio Urbanof was founded in 2009. Among the characteristic features of this team's ecological creation is holistic thinking. Founder Leor Lovinger serves as a consultant to several public institutions and government agencies, where he seeks to promote a strategy of sustainable development, urban ecology, and green infrastructure, especially in the area of water management; he also serves as an educator at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa.
http://www.nof.co.il/

Ada Karmi-Melamede - Melamede Architects
Ada Karmi-Melamede is a well-known Israeli architect. She studied architecture at the Architecture Association in London (1956–1959) and at the Technion, Israel Institute of Technology (1961–1962). In 1986, along with her brother Ram Karmi, she won the international competition for the complex of buildings of the Israeli Supreme Court, which began its operations in 1992. Architecture critic Paul Goldberg wrote in the New York Times about the building: “the precision of Mediterranean architectural tradition and the dignity of law merge here with extraordinary grace.”
http://www.adakarmimelamede.com/

More information at www.fa.cvut.cz and www.facebook.com/fa.cvut.cz