Construction began in early April of a new design for Jerusalem's $200-million National Library of Israel, after the original project architect was replaced.
Design of the library, set to replace a structure in use since 1960, was awarded, in 2013, to Swiss architect Herzog & de Meuron. The firm was selected after a 2012 design award to New York City-based Israeli architect Rafi Segal was canceled. Oren Weinberg, library director, pointed to differences of opinion between building executives and the architect but did not provide any details. One online report noted a copyright dispute.