CONVALESCENCE
The following is an archival-historical-digital exhibition that focuses on the architecture and history of three convalescent homes in Israel: The Yossef Shprinzak Resort House in Nazareth built in1961 by the Architects Zeev Rechter, Yakov Rechter, and Moshe Zarhy; The Yossef Bussel Convalescence Home in Safad, built as an extension to the historical hospital building in 1962, and expanded further in 1968; and the Mivtachim Sanitarium in Zichron Ya'acov built in 1968, both by Architect Yakov Rechter.
In 1951 the Israeli Government approved the "Annual Vacation Law," which required employers to grant each employee and worker one vacation a year. Approval of the law led to the establishment of three vacation funds and to a construction boom. In the 1950s and 1960s, the funds built many convalescent homes near the sea or on mountain peaks far from city centers. The vacation at the convalescent home was not carefree, it had a definite purpose - to rehabilitate the worker's condition - and therefore the design was ascetic and efficient. Accommodation conditions were far from ideal - overcrowding, room neighbors, shared toilets and showers, and basic furniture; But the vacationers came mainly for the view, the fresh air, the garden - and especially the meals.
The exhibition consists of archival documents from the Rechter Architects' archive. The different sections are designed to exhibit the qualities of each building, as well as to demonstrate their interconnections through relevant themes, such as materials and interior design.
Curator: Arch. Dana Gordon