The Iconic City of Neve Tzedek as a Microcosm of Tel Aviv’s Bauhaus Architecture Style

Neve Tzedek is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Tel Aviv. What started as a low-cost housing destination for immigrants from Europe has developed into an iconic city of cultural and architectural significance.

The city has a rich history, one that is characterized by perseverance, endurance, and the desire for a better, more just society. These themes are prevalent in the architectural style of Neve Tzedek.

While the rest of Tel Aviv was modernized with skyscrapers and highways, Neve Tzedek survived. It retained its three-storey houses and pedestrian-only streets.

Neve Tzedek Architecture Insinuates Democracy 

And regarding egalitarian values, Neve Tzedek architecture has an unmistakable sense of uniformity. The neighborhood has a nickname, “The White City,” and it takes just one drive around to see why. Most buildings have a pearly exterior. They also share elements such as balconies, roofs that are perfect for relaxing, and minimalist, functional designs.

Such uniformity in style, in addition to functional design according to the “form follows function” principle, is significant. It’s a way of saying that the residents all consider themselves equal. It also sends a message to both visitors and future generations, telling them, “As you can see from our houses, there’s no royalty here.”

And, in that way, Neve Tzedek is a utopia of equality, reminiscent of the legendary round table.

The Significance of Neve Tzedek Architecture 

Neve Tzedek architecture is interwoven with other things about the city, including its current prosperity, its appeal to both local and foreign tourists, and the significant value of Neve Tzedek real estate.

The neighborhood has steadily been growing into one of the trendiest places in Tel Aviv, fuelling the demand for Neve Tzedek homes for sale.

And while there are multiple reasons for the appeal of Neve Tzedek, architecture remains one of the leading ones. Tourists love browsing around the boutiques and gift shops while walking in the narrow streets. They love the European-style eateries and the street-side cafes. And, on the whole, Neve Tzedek gives off a modern village vibe whose charm is irresistible.

The Bauhaus style of architecture is dominant in Neve Tzedek real estate. But what does Bauhaus mean? What are its origins? And how did it come to be the dominant architectural style in Neve Tzedek?

Let’s find out.

Bauhaus – The “International Style”

The Origin of Bauhaus 

Bauhaus was a school in Germany whose major underlying principle was the unification of fine art and forms of applied art like architecture and industrial design. It had other principles such as “less is more” and “form follows function.”

Over time, the term ‘Bauhaus’ has evolved to stand for a design style that is used not only for buildings but also for furniture, interior design, and industrial design.

Bauhaus Becomes International 

Bauhaus became the international style when the teachers and students of the Bauhaus school were dispersed to various parts of the world. This was as a result of the closure of the Bauhaus school when the Nazi regime rose to power in 1933. The Nazi regime branded Bauhaus as degenerate art because it was fundamentally against traditional German architectural values.

The Bauhaus style was revolutionary. While existing forms of architecture, such as Victorian architecture, emphasized ornamental design, Bauhaus advocated for functional design. It also advocated for the use of materials that were previously deemed ‘distasteful’ in high-quality architecture. These included glass and steel.

If the closure of the Bauhaus school was meant to end the movement, it had the opposite effect. The dispersal of the school’s teachers and students led to the adoption of Bauhaus in various parts of the world. It also fostered the development of Bauhaus. For example, some Bauhaus teachers moved to a nascent Tel Aviv, where they had the opportunity to lay the architectural foundation of what would later become a bustling metropolis of great national and regional significance.

Principles of Bauhaus Espoused in Modern Architecture 

The Bauhaus architectural and design movement has not only spread throughout the world but also endured over the decades. It is not only used in buildings but also in furniture and industrial design, as evidenced by the tubular chair that is a popular choice for offices.

The movement has evolved to some extent, especially due to the need to adapt it for different parts of the world, for example by taking prevailing weather conditions into account.

However, despite the differences in the versions of Bauhaus around the world, some elements are common in every Bauhaus design.

The use of basic geometric shapes such as the triangle and circle is recurrent. So is the use of colors like grey and white for the exteriors of Bauhaus buildings and the use of primary colors like red, green, and blue in the interior.

In addition, asymmetry is a common theme. One side of the building will often be different from the other.

Also, the use of materials such as glass, steel, and concrete is typical.

Despite these similarities, every Bauhaus building is unique in some way.

Bauhaus and Neve Tzedek 

Jewish and other immigrants who fled from the Nazi regime in Germany were looking for affordable housing and a good number of them ended up in Neve Tzedek. Among these immigrants were former teachers at the Bauhaus school. They played an important role in the architectural development of Neve Tzedek and the city of Tel Aviv.

Bauhaus-style architecture was both cost-effective and aesthetically appealing. It was thus widely adopted.

The mark that was made then is still evident.

Some of the best Neve Tzedek homes for sale were built almost a century ago. Over the years, they have been renovated. However, their basic structure and overall design has remained largely the same.

This constancy has been influenced by the designation of most of the houses in Neve Tzedek as protected under the law. To date, there are still regulations that guide architectural development in Neve Tzedek.

Such efforts have resulted in Neve Tzedek having the world’s largest concentrated collection of Bauhaus-style architecture, around 4000. For this, the White City has been awarded World Heritage Site status by UNESCO.

Neve Tzedek and Tel Aviv have contributed greatly to the permanence of the Bauhaus style; a style which shows every sign of not only persevering but also permeating other fields. For example, Steve Jobs derived the simplicity of Apple products from the style.

Long live the Bauhaus movement!