Uncovering the unfamiliar deconstructivist architectural works of Franklin Israel, a progressive designer in the field.
In the world of progressive architecture, the name Franklin D. Israel may not be as familiar as some of his contemporaries, but his impact on Los Angeles' architectural landscape is undeniable. A new book, Franklin D. Israel: A Lifetime in Architecture, sheds light on this lesser-known architectural visionary.
Authored by Todd Gannon, a professor of architecture at Ohio State University, the book traces Israel's architectural evolution from student sketches to his designs for a new city center in Teheran. The book is available for purchase from Getty Publications and Amazon.com.
Israel's work in Los Angeles, active from the 1970s to the 1990s, was characterized by complex compositions that integrated seamlessly with the city's unique cultural and environmental context. Unlike some of his contemporaries, Israel engaged deeply with the urban fabric and local aesthetic influences, giving his work a particular resonance in LA’s architectural scene.
One of Israel's designs, the Tisch-Avnet film company building, is the only one that remains intact. His work also includes the Weisman Pavilion in Los Angeles, the Drager House in Berkeley, the Dan House in Malibu, and the UC Riverside Arts Building, the latter of which was completed by his associates after his death.
The book suggests that Israel's trajectory would have led to larger commissions had he lived longer. Gannon, the author, observes that Israel was a committed collaborator who never did anything alone. He labored over surface finishes, material selections, lighting, and color, revelling in dreamlike artifice rather than raw authenticity.
Israel's personal life is also explored in the book. He was a gay man who struggled to conceal his disease while increasing his productivity as an architect and teacher. The disease that slowly destroyed Israel was AIDS, which was an incurable mystery disease during that time.
Israel's work is positioned alongside other great LA architects like Richard Neutra and Frank Gehry, indicating his potential for impacting future architectural discourse and practice within and beyond the region. His designs were not just structures but spatial narratives that combined functionality with an artistic, almost sculptural sensibility.
In a review, Herbert Muschamp, a brilliant critic from the New York Times, wrote that Israel's generation had to negotiate a contract between stellar promise and early death. Yet, Israel's work continues to resonate, offering a unique perspective on Los Angeles' architectural evolution.
The new book serves as a testament to Israel's legacy as a pioneering yet underappreciated figure in Los Angeles progressive architecture. It underscores a blend of artistry and functionalism aligned with progressive trends, making Israel's work a significant chapter in Southern California's architectural history.
[1] Gannon, Todd. Franklin D. Israel: A Lifetime in Architecture. Getty Publications, 2021.
- The book Gannon, Todd's Franklin D. Israel: A Lifetime in Architecture is a valuable source of entertainment, offering insights into the life and work of a lesser-known architectural visionary who contributed significantly to the unique architectural landscape of Los Angeles.
- Franklin D. Israel's architectural creations, such as the Tisch-Avnet film company building and the Weisman Pavilion in Los Angeles, are not merely structures but spatial narratives that seamlessly integrate with the city's cultural and environmental context, making them works of art that provide both entertainment and a reflection of the period's progressive trends in architecture.
