Ville Blanche: Levantine Gentlemen, Architectural Modernism and the “White City” of Tel Aviv, 1930–48

A new narrative emerges for Tel Aviv's 'White City' architecture, challenging the dominant Bauhaus-centric perspective. The study highlights the pivotal role of Levantine architects, such as Zaky and Robert (Hillel) Chelouche, who studied in Paris during the 1930s and 1940s. These French-speaking Sephardic-Mizrachi elites introduced modernist architectural ideas to Tel Aviv, shaping it into a Mediterranean modern town akin to Casablanca. By tracing their trajectories and contributions, the research reveals their significant but previously overlooked impact on the city's architectural heritage, offering a more nuanced understanding of its development.

Fainholtz, T. (2022). Ville Blanche: Levantine Gentlemen, Architectural Modernism and the “White City” of Tel Aviv, 1930–48. Architectural Theory Review, 26(3), 405–426. https://doi.org/10.1080/13264826.2023.2194661