New synagogue and community center

FAST VUT - Faculty of Civil Engineering, Brno University of Technology, Department of Architecture

Project idea

The complex is designed in a square plan with dimensions of 45 x 45 m. Inside the complex, an outdoor courtyard with a fountain and smaller trees is designed. In this way, I create a space for holding various events - smaller outdoor concerts, performances and celebrations can be held here, but also, for example, weddings of the Jewish community. The courtyard will otherwise serve as the kosher restaurant's summer garden. Near the main road, there are proposed facilities accessible to the public - the Museum of Jewish Culture and the Kosher restaurant. Operations intended for the Jewish community are located in the rear part of the complex - it is a Synagogue and a community center with a mikveh ritual bath. The building is designed as a single storey with dominant corners. Each of the corners reacts with its mass to the internal operation.

Project description

When designing the complex, I emphasized the main lines of sight from the street to the building. The synagogue is
designed as a dominant feature of the entire complex – it is elevated above the other masses of the building.
In front of the synagogue there is a smaller square courtyard. The latter is partially visually separated from the main courtyard by arcades and perforated fillings made of brass sheets. In this smaller courtyard, there is a new memorial dedicated to the Jewish victims of World War II. world war. It is designed as a frame of concrete, symbolizing the gate to the "other side" beyond eternal life. The Star of David represents the soul journeying for eternal life. The monument also forms a water feature. The water curtain behind the Star of David is meant to symbolize forgiveness and purification.

Technical information

The expression of the object should express purity and simplicity - that's why light shades were designed.
The surfaces are provided with white plaster and the concrete surfaces are designed with visible white concrete. Golden brass elements are designed here as a reference to Jewish wealth. Windows and doors are designed in light wood.