Architecture, Ethics and Code of Conduct

The following email was sent to the Architectural Record magazine (USA) in response to an article by Ruth Jacobson in their July 2009 issue featuring the William Davidson Center in Jerusalem by Kimmel Eshkolot.

We will post their response if and when we receive it.

Dear Sir,

We read in your July issue just received about the new William Davidson Center in Jerusalem by Kimmel Eshkolot.

This project is yet another example of the architectural community inside Israel, flouting all codes of conduct and professional ethics by building on conquered and disputed land. Your article notes that "building on an archaeological site with so much historical, political and cultural significance posed a tremendous challenge". We would add: "Ethical and Moral challenge" as well. Hence any act which defies these parameters must be considered an illegal one until settlement of the dispute surrounding Jerusalem and the rest of the conquered Palestinian territories has been reached.

Kimmel Eshkolot ask "how often is an architect granted the opportunity to work on a site considered one of the holiest places in the world?"

Quite often, unfortunately.

Jerusalem was declared 'Corpus Separatum' in UN Resolution 181 issued in November 1947. In plain words: an International separate zone.
This remains the view of the international community and the UN. It is disputed territory, and any building on this land must surely be considered illegal.

All architects are bound by their institute's Code of Ethics. The Royal Institute of British Architects, The International Union of Architects and the American Institute of Architects (to name but a few world institutes) would not condone such involvement by their members in the building of projects in disputed territories.

Professional codes of conduct must be applied by the architectural membership wherever and whenever international law has been violated. Kimmel Eshkolot cannot be an exception. Your writer Ruth Jacobson should have raised this issue in her, otherwise, excellent article.

Sincerely,

Raffoul Darrer Architects Limited

Click here for the Architectural Record article

Photo © Amit Giron