While working with a synagogue in New York, we pursued a speculative design that creates a new, shared building, for a residential condominium and the synagogue.
The condominium tower stretches over and above the synagogue occupying the first two floors of the 19-story building. From the street, the synagogue appears as a warm and glowing wood structure that emanates from the solid gray stone condominium. And upon entering, the visitor is welcomed by the serene view of the rear garden, structured around a series of skylights that bring daylight into the double-height sanctuary nested below, emphasizing its ethereal quality.
Two additional free-form skylights mark its entry and the ark, while the perimeter skylight washes the interior curving wood walls with sensual, warm light, creating a meandering bench along the garden wall above.
The synagogue also houses a chapel, a social hall with kitchen, an education center, dual lobbies and offices.
