SubscribeSign In
Collection by Diana Budds
Editor’s Pick

Geometric Housing Complex in Jerusalem

Architect Zvi Hecker explores geometric forms in three-dimensional structures, or “polyhedric architecture.”

In Jerusalem’s 720-unit Ramot Polin housing complex, erected in the 1970s, Hecker interlocked cubes and dodecahedrons into a hive-like mass. “I hope that the design will stimulate architects to break away from strictly cubic structures,” Hecker wrote in a 1980 manifesto. zvihecker.com

View 5 Photos
Hecker also argues that the structure's form helps it to adapt to hilly and irregular terrain. Photo by Zvi Hecker.
Hecker also argues that the structure's form helps it to adapt to hilly and irregular terrain. Photo by Zvi Hecker.
Hecker argues that the use of dodecahedrons and the pentagon-shaped walls helps to enclose a relatively large volume with less surface area than a rectangular prisim. Photo by Zvi Hecker.
Hecker argues that the use of dodecahedrons and the pentagon-shaped walls helps to enclose a relatively large volume with less surface area than a rectangular prisim. Photo by Zvi Hecker.
"The stability of many polyhedral structures, their compactness of space-packing, their economy of surface with respect to enclosed volume and their facility of extension render them advantageous for mass production and for diverse applications in architecture and engineering," wrote Hecker in a 1970 essay entitled "The Geometry of my Polyhedral Sculpture." Photo by Zvi Hecker.
"The stability of many polyhedral structures, their compactness of space-packing, their economy of surface with respect to enclosed volume and their facility of extension render them advantageous for mass production and for diverse applications in architecture and engineering," wrote Hecker in a 1970 essay entitled "The Geometry of my Polyhedral Sculpture." Photo by Zvi Hecker.
Polish-born Israeli architect Zvi Hecker spent much of his career exploring cubes and dodecahedrons in his work. One of his most famous structures is the Ramot Polin housing project in Jerusalem erected for an ultra-orthodox population. The hivelike prefabricated building was lauded when it was completed in the 1970s. Over the years, people have adapted the structures and reports say that there isn't a single "original" apartment left in the 700+ units.
Polish-born Israeli architect Zvi Hecker spent much of his career exploring cubes and dodecahedrons in his work. One of his most famous structures is the Ramot Polin housing project in Jerusalem erected for an ultra-orthodox population. The hivelike prefabricated building was lauded when it was completed in the 1970s. Over the years, people have adapted the structures and reports say that there isn't a single "original" apartment left in the 700+ units.