Art and designדב כרמי

Dov Karmi

Dov Karmi was an architect in Mandatory Palestine and Israel and the first recipient of the Israel Prize for architecture, in 1957.

1905 to 1962Modernist architecture in Tel AvivThe Culture Palace in Tel AvivFirst Israel Prize for architecture

Died: 14 May 1962, Tel Aviv
Occupation: architect
Education: Ghent University, Bezalel Academy of Art and Design

Dov Karmi was born in 1905 in Odesa

Dov Karmi was born in 1905 in the Russian Empire, in what is now Ukraine. In 1921 he moved with his parents to Mandatory Palestine.

He first studied painting at Bezalel in Jerusalem, but turned to architecture. He completed his studies at Ghent University in Belgium in 1930.

He worked in Jerusalem until 1932 and then moved to Tel Aviv, where he co-founded the Circle, a group promoting modern architecture. He worked with partners including Eliyahu Fitelson and Zvi Barak, and later with his son Ram Karmi.

His style was modernist, and he designed many buildings, mostly in Tel Aviv. His works include the Culture Palace, the Histadrut Executive Committee building and a role in the Knesset building.

He married Haia Maklev, and both of their children became architects who also won the Israel Prize. He died of a heart attack in 1962 and was buried in Kiryat Shaul cemetery.

Dov Karmi's life in 8 milestones

1905
Born in the Russian Empire.
1921
Moved with his family to Mandatory Palestine.
1930
Completed his studies at Ghent University.
1932
Moved to Tel Aviv.
1936
Completed the Max Liebling House in Tel Aviv.
1957
Received the Israel Prize for architecture.
1962
Died on May 14.
2010
A retrospective exhibition of his work opened at the Helena Rubinstein Pavilion.