What’s in an image?
A number of people have commented that the photos of the model make the space seem cold and uninviting. We have been trying to point out that the limitation of a model is that it doesn’t show the detail that helps make a space – a sanctuary.
For example look at this image of the model, although it has nice lighting – since all the materials are the same its hard to get a sense of texture or detail. The real lighting in the space is hard to figure out because thimble sized pieces of cardboard do not emit the warm glow of a light or warm up the textures. Since we have not picked out the carpeting, wall color, fabrics, or even the kind of wood, its hard to image how this model will be the place we pray in.
However, with a little help from Adobe Photoshop we can start to 
add some of the texture and color that helps the space come alive a bit more. There is still a level of detail that will exist in after the renovation that is almost impossible to show in the model such as handrails or the detail in the seats. However, I think most people would agree this does help a bit …
As always we ask that people don’t get excited about something that seems out of place – we are posting this stuff to help inform the community – but it definitely just a work in progress.
I would like to thank the committee for the endless amount of time and effort they have put into the daunting task of working with architects on a new design.
My comment on the design relates to the pillars in front of the ark. When I am critiquing my student’s designs, I tell them that elements in a design must look deliberate. Elements can be juxtaposing, contrasting and incongruous but they must look deliberate. One never wants an audience to say, “was that a mistake, did the artist mean to do that?”
After looking at the model at the last meeting at the Temple, I asked Mike if the pillars, directly in front of the ark, were structural. He replied that they were not. Just the fact that I felt compelled to ask, reinforces the idea that the pillars seem awkward to me. It looks as though they were an afterthought, meant to cover a structural mistake.
If there is a sacred meaning to the pillars, I would like to see them more well integrated into the design.
Thanks for the opportunity to comment.
Munya Upin Tovares
Munya Upin Tovares
June 14, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Munya-
Thanks for your comments!
I am not sure I properly answered your question about the columns infront of the ark the first time and I apologize. The architects and the committee has discussed this at length and there are a number of reasons and a good deal of thought that has gone into this.
The big picture theme of the design has been about layering and level of detail in order to change the perspective of the entire space. The architects have spent a lot of time exploring the geometry of our space and the relationship of seating to ark and torah table. They have been trying to craft a series of elements that make the entire space feel tied together by creating visual clues so that we engage in the space. The ark design has been realized through a layering of detail in order to bring the experience of the ark into the space and engage the congregation so that the ark does not feel like a jewel in the distance, but rather a jewel we can all embrace.
So the poles flank the ark opening a couple feet infront. Their purpose at one level is to create an impression that one has arrived at the ark before actually getting there (actually, the wood floor does that first). It is almost a virtual chuppah – without the weight of the actually canopy. Also, the poles extend into the skylight – reaching to the light – in our discussion the Rabbi may have associated this with Jacob’s ladder, reaching to the heaven. Regardless, of the metaphor – the verticality of the poles is meant to balance the horizontal lines of the wood panelling and the eye brows.
Members of the committee were skeptical like you and we had the architects study it without the poles and came to the conclusion that the design was better with them. I will bring it up at the next meeting and make sure people still feel the same way.
Thanks again for your comments.
Mike
mwolfson
June 18, 2008 at 5:05 pm