Introduction

PREV                                                                                                    1 of 4                                                                                                                 Next

...

My first lesson in architecture was given to me by a bee. I was working at the time as the bee-master of the hives on the young kibbutz, of which I was a founding member. I was naturally fascinated by the construction methods used by the bees, who are among nature's most successful architects and engineers. From the bees one could learn how to design, to organise and to build so as to combine function and form in a most economical way.

...

I also learned about modular construction from the simple wooden cubes of the beehives, each containing dozens of hexagonal honeycombs - the neat homes of thousands of bees made possible the well-organized and organically constructed society, praised by Shakespeare in "Henry V" as a model for human beings. Architects can learn endless lessons from the bees, their passion for good order and organization and their building zeal.

...

One day Dr. Yaffe visited us in the company of a very distinguished looking gentleman, with kind and clever eyes, to whom he explained the principles of the kibbutz and how it was organised. As mukhtar, I accompanied them on their tour of inspection. When we came to the olive grove, I said that I was sorry it was a "bad" year, with no olives on the trees. Dr. Yaffe commented, "Thank heaven for the good news." The kindly gentleman was at a loss to understand why the owner preferred a bad year without a crop to the good year with one; after Dr. Yaffe had explained our system of payments, I added "As you may see, Professor Einstein, here once again is proof of your theory of relativity." The hearty handshake which I got as a result of this quip resulted in the kibbutz having a secretary with an unwashed hand at least one week.

...