B'nai Israel Synagogue
Rochester, MinnesotaB'nai Israel Synagogue provides a growing congregation its first dedicated synagogue. The heart of the 15,000-square-foot, two-level brick structure is the east-facing sanctuary on the main level. - AIA Minnesota Awards Jury
The sanctuary is based on a broadhouse plan, with all functions revolving around the plan. The focal point is the Ark, a translucent onyx container for the Torah. The Ark is surrounded by the multi-layered Ark wall composed of two layers of abstract patterns-rendered in thin white translucent acrylic-merging in front of a brightly lit, solid-white back wall.
The Ark wall extends above the sanctuary ceiling into a translucent glass clerestory that brings daylight into the sanctuary. A large-scale menorah of one-inch-thick glass pieces slices through the building's south facade, casting a refracted interior glow.
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The synagogue's relationship to its suburban context is handled superbly. It's a very neighborly building. The arrival and entry sequence builds and builds. The interior with its gorgeous Torah wall is restrained and sophisticated.