(February 21, 2008) — Wandering through Tel Aviv, Israel, I felt a vacillating rhythm of old, yellowing historic sites and modern, luxurious residences and skyscrapers. As Tel Aviv’s 100 th anniversary approaches, it seems as if Israelis are celebrating by reconstructing it to the utmost extent. Not completely. Despite the bulldozers frequently seen roaming around the brick streets trying to modernize Tel Aviv, it is still swept with aged apartments, schools and synagogues. Bauhaus (the International Style)—a style characteristic of old Tel Aviv architecture—dates back to pre-Nazi Germany in 1920. Architect Walter Gropius, who was not particularly skilled at drawing, invented this style, which calls for buildings that are not necessarily ornamental, but rather functional. In the 1930s, 15 students of Gropius’ school Bauhaus worked as architects in Tel Aviv, resulting in the prevalence of this style in the city. During this time, the now dirty, yellowish walls were painted a clean white or beige, giving the city the nickname “the White City.” Ironically, the “functional” aspect of Bauhaus was based on the principles of the socialists—a party which led to the National Socialist party (the Nazis), which was responsible for the deaths of more than 6 million Jews. However, this style proves itself efficient for Tel Aviv, since it leaves little room for extravagance in order to create equal housing, thus saving space. Bauhaus also differed from previous architecture styles with its tendency to use asymmetry instead of symmetry. Opening architects’ eyes to new styles, Bauhaus is considered as one of the pioneers of modern architecture. Rising over the aged Bauhaus buildings, one could see apartments that look as though they are draped with tissues, skyscrapers that look unfinished on purpose and thin and sleek hotels. Contrast between the old and worn architecture and the new, advanced architecture is widespread in Tel Aviv. In this dream-like balance of antique and modern, you can see a parking lot under an old bridge and modern skyscrapers rising over historic buildings, a classic picture of time’s passage. Still, “the White City” is not forgotten. When the Nazis rose to power, many of the Bauhaus buildings were destroyed in Germany, Bauhaus’ original home. Now, Tel Aviv is left as the only city whose foundation is made mostly from Bauhaus buildings. Over 1,500 Bauhaus-style buildings in the now much larger Tel Aviv will be preserved, a relief considering the major construction currently underway.