Forum of the Technion Haifa, The Churchill Auditorium 1958

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Architectural Competition - First Prize

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The Forum of the Technion (Institute of Technology) in Haifa consists of three main buildings: the auditorium, central library and senate, serving as the centre of the Technion's cultural and social activities. It is situated on an eastern slope of Mount Carmel, overlooking the bay and port of Haifa.

The three buildings are located on terraces connected by ramps and stairs for pedestrians. The upper piazzetta forms the entrance to the Churchill Auditorium, connected by wide steps to the main piazza, which forms the entrance to the library and senate. From this piazza a wide ramp and stairs lead to the sunken garden, which continues under the piazza bridge to the faculties' area.

All buildings are constructed of exposed reinforced concrete in a module of 1.60 m - the maximum width of Israel glass - which criss-crosses all building elements: floors, ceilings, doors, windows, and even the piazza's flagstones. The architectural quality of this complex is based on the space relationship between the three horizontal elements - the piazzetta, piazza, and sunken garden - and the three building cubes, auditorium library and senate. It is a pedestrian area with lawns, patios, and terraces forming a differentiated space for the students' varied activities.