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Beth El Synagogue

This is a project by Stanley Saitowitz | Natoma Architects and it is located at San Diego, California, United States. Project's program: Synagogue. There are twelve images for Beth El Synagogue.

: © Rien van Rijtoven

Project details

Project name: Beth El Synagogue
Location: San Diego, California, United States
Program: Synagogue
Area: Site area: 53,000 sf • Built-up area: 10,000 sf
Year: Completion: 2007
More details: Cost: $9 million
Client: Congregation Beth El
Project by: Stanley Saitowitz | Natoma Architects
Team: Principal designer: Stanley Saitowitz • Design team: John Winder, Michael Luke, Charles Shin
Others: Contractor: DPR Construction

Project images

Designer's statement

'According to the vision that Hashem showed Moses, so did he make the Menorah'.

The Menorah is the representation of the unchanging and unified divine world. It is the emanation of light. The Menorah is the thematic image for the Beth El Buildings.

The plan optimizes the existing topography, filling the valley with a parking structure whose rooftop creates a plaza, a generous flat area of gathering that links all the elements of the Beth El Campus. On this platform the new sanctuary sits.

An elevator rises from the lower levels, arriving at the plaza, and connecting to the sanctuary gallery, and upper level of the existing building.

From the lower parking lot, re configured to provide maximum efficiency, a ramp moves through a slice in the hill to the elevator. Along this main entry path, at the foundation of the sanctuary, is a Yhartzeit wall. This ramp continues to the synagogue levels.

The lobby of the main sanctuary has a two story glass roof above. In it are elements observed in Hungarian Synagogues interpreted in the language of the design: a Tzedakah box, four slots embedded in a column, clocks to announce services, kippah and talit receptacles, hand washing, and bookshelves continuing to the upper level.

The sanctuary is a box of light protected by Jerusalem stone columns, creating the image of minorah. On the walls of the sanctuary, the Five Books of Tehillim are inscribed, providing a rich surface tapestry of meaning. The interior evokes the atmosphere of warmth and security of Hungarian Synagogues. The ark is an original artifact incorporated. The colors are traditional; gold, purple, maroon and blue. The furniture is dark walnut. Stars of light emanate from minorahs.

A new Beth Midrash bounds a secondary court. Inside, seats surround the walls, with skylights above, and tables in the center. At the entry is a library.

A colonnade provides a new façade to the existing structures, unifying them with the court and sanctuary. The space behind this colonnade is an exhibition lobby, and provides expansion of the Social Hall for High Holiday Services. At the end of this space are new restrooms centrally located to serve the Main Sanctuary, Beth Midrash and Social Hall.

An amphitheater is carved out of the hill, with the plaza as its stage.

On the plaza, edged with water on the east, is the Huppah of four poles holding a Star of David in the sky.