Call for papers for an International Conference:
How to Narrate the History of Architecture?
Centenary of Birth of Architectural Historian Bruno Zevi (1918-2000)
7-8 May, 2018

The Faculty of Architecture & Town Planning and Avie and Sarah Arenson Built Heritage Research Center, the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, is proud to announce an internaonal conference to mark the centenary of the birth of the architect, architectural historian, critic, educator, Italian statesman and Jewish activist-Bruno Zevi (1918-2000).

Bruno Zevi holds a prominent place in mid-20th century writing on architecture. Aer World War II, he was among the first to publish a vision of modern architecture, adapted to the new perspectives of the postwar era. However, not only did he critique aspects of interwar modernism, he also strove to demonstrate how one could approach the entire legacy of architectural history from a modern point of view. The early books that he published in 1945-1950 (Verso un’architettura organica; Saper vedere l’architettura; Storia dell’architettura moderna; Architettura e storiografia, translated into English and other languages) add up to a historiographical
construction that relates history to modernity. In that he partakes in the perennial project of retelling and remolding architectural history for contemporary needs.

We, therefore, dedicate the conference to Bruno Zevi’s version of architectural history, as well as to How to Narrate the History of Architecture? Centenary of Birth of Architectural Historian Bruno Zevi (1918-2000) 7-8 May, 2018 constructions of the narrative of architectural history in general. The need to rethink the established account in history books and in the classroom, is felt again in recent years- in view of ongoing global processes and cultural change. We therefore invite papers on the general theme: “How to narrate the history of architecture?” which addresses the dilemmas, past and present, of relating the comprehensive story of
architecture.

We also welcome papers on the portrayal of specific periods that preoccupied Bruno Zevi – Classical Architecture, Renaissance and Baroque, Modern Architecture, Architecture in Modern Italy – as well as on major concepts in his writing – Space and Architecture, Anti-classicism, Organic Architecture, Judaism and Architecture.

Bruno Zevi actively participated in the architectural discourse, as well as in the general public debate in Italy. At the same time, Zevi was always proud of his Jewish heritage. He was also greatly interested in Israel, and contributed in various ways to the promotion of architectural design and research in the country. We welcome papers on Zevi’s work and biography, and on the role he played in cultural life in Italy and Israel.