David Fisher (architect)

David Fisher
Born Tel Aviv, Israel
Nationality Italian-Israeli[1][2][3][4]
Known for Architecture

David Fisher (born Haim David Fisher ca. 1949) is an Italian-Israeli architect based in Florence. He is known for designing the Dynamic Tower, a rotating skyscraper proposed for construction in Dubai.

Early life

Fisher was born in Tel Aviv, Israel, about 1949.[5] In 1970 he left Israel to attend the University of Florence. After graduation he served as a lecturer of architecture and structural engineering at the same university.[6]

Career

Fisher launched Fiteco Ltd. in New York during the mid-1980s while also becoming involved in the development and building of hotels. He designed pre-assembled bathrooms for luxury homes and hotels.[5]

Dynamic Tower

Fisher is the founder and chairman of Dynamic Architecture Group.[7] He is the designer of the proposed rotating Dynamic Tower, billed as the world's first building in motion, though the basic concept has numerous precedents, especially the 2001 Suite Vollard in Brazil with independently rotating floors.[3] Fisher's Dynamic Tower was designed by the Dynamic Architecture Group.[8] The intention was to build an 80-story skyscraper in Dubai. It featured revolving floors, some of which could have moved on command, providing the building with an ever-changing shape along with a changing view for the residents. It is Fisher's first skyscraper design.[9][10]

Between 1995 and 1998, Fisher was Honorary Consul of Italy, based in Beersheba, Israel.[11] During this time Fisher was sole director of a construction firm misrepresented as being led by Alan Katz.[12] The firm went bankrupt in 1998.[13] In November 2008 based on an affidavit from Katz and documents obtained from various tax havens around the world describing Fisher's assets,[12] Fisher was tried before the Italian court for the embezzlement of 70 billion Italian lira (35 million euros) but was pardoned of charges.[13][14][15][16]

In 2008 in New York City, Fisher distributed a biography which said he received an honorary doctorate from "The Prodeo Institute at Columbia University in New York". No such institution exists, however, and Columbia said it had never awarded Fisher an honorary degree.[17] Fisher's New York publicists tried to explain the discrepancy by suggesting that he was given an honorary doctorate by the "Catholic University of Rome", or the "Pre Deo University".[10] There are no institutions going by those names.[10]

References

  1. ↑ Len, Jackie (2008-07-12). "Israeli-born architect unveils twirling tower for Dubai". The Jerusalem Post. He has relinquished his Israeli citizenship, but wouldn't say why.
  2. ↑ Randl, Chad (2008). Revolving Architecture. A History of Buildings That Rotate, Swivel, and Pivot. New York: Princeton Architectural Press. p. 55. ISBN 978-1-56898-681-4. While the introduction of the concept of time to architecture is not a new one, the Florence-based Israeli architect David Fisher...
  3. 1 2 Randl 2008, p. 188. "...Italian-Israeli architect David Fisher."
  4. ↑ McKeough, Tim (21 July 2008). "A Prefab, Rotating Skyscraper Coming to a City Near You?". Architectural Record (The McGraw-Hill Companies). Retrieved 3 May 2012. ...the Italian-Israeli architect presented plans for what he has dubbed the Dynamic Tower...
  5. 1 2 Goldberger, Paul (21 July 2008). "Shape-shifter". The New Yorker (Condé Nast). Retrieved 3 May 2012. Fisher, who was born in Tel Aviv fifty-nine years ago, is based in Florence, and believes that he has come up with the most innovative concept in architecture since the pyramids.
  6. ↑ Majeski, John (2 July 2008). "It's alive! Euro architect unveils rotating building.". Real Estate Weekly (Hagedorn Publication). Retrieved 3 May 2012.
  7. ↑ Asia Business Conference 2008
  8. ↑ World Architecture News
  9. ↑ "David Fisher, architect". Chicago Tribune. 2008-06-25. Retrieved 2008-06-25.
  10. 1 2 3 Lewis, Hilary (26 June 2008). "Architect Behind Dubai's Rotating Skyscraper A Fraud?". Business Insider. Retrieved 3 May 2012.
  11. ↑ Archimagazine-translated
  12. 1 2 "Dunhill Concern". Case Studies. Kalmanson & Co. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
  13. 1 2 "Architetto grattacielo Dubai condannato". Corriere Fiorentino.
  14. ↑ Paoli, Gigi. "Bancarotte Milionarie Architetto sotto accusa". La Nazione.
  15. ↑ "Sotto Accusa architetto del Grattacielo...". Repubblica.
  16. ↑ "Bancarotta Fraudolenta". La Nazione.
  17. ↑ Caruso, David (2008-06-25). "Architect hopes new skyscraper keeps us spinning". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 2008-07-19. Retrieved 2010-05-09.

External links

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