This design is a new building for a small synagogue experiencing growth. The existing 3,500 s.f. building will remain and is located on the southeast portion of the property. Schiff designed the new 6,000 s.f. synagogue and social hall oriented north to address the main street and created a connecting courtyard as a bridging element between the old and new buildings. The design was generated by two major themes: light and transformability. The building is comprised of three main elements; a large rectangular volume for the main sanctuary and social hall; a smaller rectangular box as a service area; and the connective spine that generates the distinctive feature of the project. In a gesture suggesting an open hand, the iconic element serves as the entry point, source of light, circulation path, and conceals the transformable walls that give different meaning to the space.
View Original