Architect Israel Goodovitch Soared Beyond Laws

Architect Israel Goodovitch, a former Tel Aviv city engineer, died at the age of 92. He was recognized as a prominent and outspoken figure in Israel's planning and construction sectors, often engaging in professional disputes. His son, an architect himself, eulogized him, emphasizing his father's profound dedication to the profession as a life's mission.

Goodovitch's approach to architecture was described as sacred work for society, aiming to create a better and more special place. His unconventional methods and disregard for conventional limitations were highlighted, with his son noting he was "always above the law."

Born in Haifa in 1934, Goodovitch studied architecture at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology and earned a master's degree from the University of Tokyo. His extensive international portfolio includes stadiums in South Africa and the Jewish community center and Great Synagogue in Moscow.

Domestically, he designed the Aviv Towers in Tel Aviv and developed master plans for areas like Katzrin. His work notably focused on Tel Aviv and the Negev desert, where he was involved in rural planning and designed structures like the Hazeva Field School.

In his later years, Goodovitch served as Tel Aviv's city engineer from 1999 to 2000 and remained publicly active. He also appeared on the reality show "Big Brother" in 2015.

Beyond his architectural practice, he published books, including "Architecturology." In 2016, Ariel University established a prize in his name to support student research on Israeli architectural history.