Dov Karmi was born in 1905, the son of Hannah and Sholom Weingarten, in Zhvanets, Russian Empire, in modern-day Ukraine. In 1921, the family resettled in Mandatory Palestine, the future State of Israel.[1]
In 1932, Karmi moved to Tel Aviv and co-founded the Circle, a group aiming to introduce modern architecture to the city. Alongside Zeev Rechter and Arieh Sharon, Karmi helped shape local architecture and became a leading figure in the professional and cultural elite.[1] Later Karmi also worked with his son, Ram Karmi. During his professional career he designed more than two hundred buildings, mostly in Tel Aviv. Karmi's main style was modernist; he influenced a generation of Israeli architects.[1]
Israel Prize
In 1957, Karmi was awarded the Israel Prize, for architecture,[2] the first recipient of the Prize in this field.
Family
Karmi married Haia Maklev; the couple had two children, both of whom became notable architects.[1] In 2002, Karmi's son, Ram Karmi, was awarded the Israel Prize for architecture and Carmi's daughter, Ada Karmi-Melamede, was awarded the Israel Prize for architecture, in 2007.
The Knesset (Jerusalem, 1958-1966) was built after an initial plan by Joseph Klarwein, with modifications by Shimon Powsner, Dov and Ram Karmi, Bill Gillitt, and an interior design by Dora Gad.[3]