Scroll of Light Synagogue, Caesarea, Israel
From Archiplanet
| Scroll of Light Synagogue | |
| Designer | Knafo Klimor Architects |
| Location | Caesarea, Israel |
| Date | to 2007 |
| Building Type | Synagogue |
| Context | Suburban |
| Street Address | |
| Notes |
Contents |
[edit] Images
[edit] Discussion
| Building Details | |
| Client | The Caesarea Foundation Edmond Benjamin de Rothschild |
| Area | 800 sq.m. |
| Program | Synagogue |
| Awards | AI -Architecture of Israel – Project of the Year 2008, Citation |
The scroll is the central motif in the design of the Scroll of Light Synagogue in Caesarea, Israel, as it is a means for developing a story which is not disrupted by the turning of pages, but rather develops gradually and continuously to form a complete story.
Movement in the structure of the synagogue develops alongside the curving "parchment", which leads towards the inner space and guides a process of spiritual change, towards the gradual revelation of the place of prayer. As congregants gather together they look around and experience the minimalistic inner court, which frames the lone olive tree. The court secludes the congregation from the racket of secular life and connects it to the earth and the sky. The space discovered is a world of tranquility and self reflection.
The building is designed as a spiral, which aims to express the cyclic aspect of Judaism, and the connection between circular time and linear time. The experience of circular time is one of recurrence and cyclic motion. The experience of linear time is one of development and change along the timeline. These two systems meet at momentary, unique points in time, thus creating the spiral continuum. The hub of the Scroll's coming together forms the prayer hall, isolated from its surroundings by the lack of direct visual contact. The isolation transforms the place into a microcosm, where the strongest force is that of the light penetrating the building through openings in the ceiling. This hidden light washes over the curved walls, which come together towards the Holy Ark. The Ark hovers over a pool of water and is lit by a soft, indirect light that is reflected in the pool. The place's symbolism as a "Scroll of Light" aims to emphasize the meaning of the creation of light as the foundation of life, and as a symbol of truth, knowledge, and hope. [1]
Watch Movie: Development of Scroll of Light Synagogue
[edit] Maps
[edit] Other Resources
[edit] References
[edit] External Links
