Beth El / Stanley Saitowitz | Natoma Architects
Architects: Stanley Saitowitz | Natoma Architects
Location: La Jolla, CA, USA
Client: Congregation Beth Sholom
Project team: Stanley Saitowitz, John Winder, Michael Luke, Charles Shin, Benny Ho
Structural Engineering: KPFF Consulting Engineers
Mechanical, Electrical, Lighting & Plumbing Engineering: Randall Lamb Associates
Landscaping: David Reed Landscape Architects
General Contractor: DPR Construction Inc.
Project year: 2000
Photographs: Rien van Rijthoven
The menorah is the emanation of light, the representation of the unchanging and unified divine world. This object inspires the image for the buildings for Congregation Beth El. The plan optimizes the difficult topography with an entry turnaround and parking platform in the valley. An elevator rises from this level to a court formed between the existing structures—social hall, offices, and school building—and the new sanctuary; arcades added to the facades of the existing buildings unify the complex. The court is the focus, the connective space for the gathering of the congregation. All activities lead from this arrival court. The lobby of the sanctuary, on the east side of the court, is two stories with a glass roof above.
Traditional elements are interpreted in the language of the design: a tzedakah box, four slots for placing money embedded in a column, clocks to announce service times, kippah and tallit receptacles, a sink for hand-washing, and bookshelves. The sanctuary itself is a box of light. Paired thick concrete columns alternate with voids and glass to create the image of the menorah. On the glass columns the Five Books of Tehillim (psalms) are inscribed, providing a rich calligraphic tapestry of meaning. The interior evokes warmth and security with colors described by Moses for the Tabernacle: gold, purple, maroon, and blue. The furniture is dark walnut, and stars of light hang from the ceiling. Two floating galleries provide additional seating. In the middle of the court, a chuppah of four poles holds a Star of David. This is the center for wedding ceremonies and outdoor services.
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- site plan
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18 comments »
When is was a child i used to go to the synagogue with my father and grandfather, but only to play outside with the other kids who had to go – to this one, I’ll go anytime! such a cool design for this place… the exterior reminds me of classic Doric temples.
who cares?
please shut up
Don´t mess whith Bekerman… Is just dum.
i like this building.
very nice.
The photos serie of the concrete elements is cool! This projects has a Salk institute feel…
I thought the same as soon as I saw those exterior pictures in perspective.
Not that there’s anything wrong with taking a few pointers from Kahn.
Excelent building.
What hideous interior finishes. Remove the Star of David gazebo and the outside is nice.
I agree some of the conceptual references seem to literal.
I wouldn’t say they’re hideous – but I do believe they don’t really achieve what the architects could have wanted. The exterior is better. Although they do use a symmetric scheme for an asymmetric access situation.
A good photo would have been the one from the base of the hill.
Please BEKERMAN, shup up, I mean…
how about that Berkerman… not even 1 decente remark.
that´s not nice!
a great concrete exterior. it reminded me of Kanh’s building at the first look. I do agree with orange that the exterior would be better if they remove the star. Interior doesn’t seem to be that good, though.
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