Karol Schayer, Architect (1900 - 1971)

This title deals with a protagonist of the modern movement in emigration. Although he was one of the most important figures of the Modern Movement in emigration, Karol Schayer is little known outside Lebanon. Using a wealth of previously unpublished original documents and illustrations, this monograph reconstructs Schayer's early career in Poland (1927-39), his years as an emigre in Turkey and Palestine (1939-46), and then his very successful and important creative period in architecture and furniture design in Lebanon (1946-70) with his successive partners Fritz Gotthelf, Bahij Makdisi and Wassek Adib. Thus the lifework of this modernist architect becomes understandable for the first time, and is shown to be clearly on a par with analogous achievements of the period around the world. This comprehensive and richly illustrated monograph is the result of many years of tireless research by George Arbid, Associate Professor at the American University of Beirut.