Page 48 - ArchitectureDC_Spring2015

Sanctuary.
that is conducive to worship and religious study. The walls also
evoke nature in two ways: first, their varied textures and striations translucent stained-glass panels. In keeping with tradition, she
suggest natural rock formations, and second, they incorporate
decorative panels featuring images that recall Jewish holidays
connected to nature. At the same time, the walls serve to relate the
building to its neighborhood context. The horizontal emphasis of
the masonry bands and the linear windows allude to the movement
of cars on the busy road nearby, while the walls’ low scale is
consistent with that of nearby houses and other buildings.
Natural imagery continues on the main entry doors, which
depict the Tree of Life through cut-outs in bronze panels.
Meanwhile, on the glass walls to either side of the entry portico,
the Hebrew alphabet once again plays a role. These glass panes,
which face west and therefore could transmit a great deal of heat
and light on sunny summer afternoons, feature a ceramic coating
called a frit, which reduces solar gain without blocking views.
From afar, the frit appears to be a typical, regular geometrical
pattern, but up close, one can see that the coating is composed of
a jumble of Hebrew letters. Interestingly, according to Levinas, the
use of letters in this way was partially inspired by the decorative
Arabic script that appears in many mosques.
The current sanctuary is an airy, flat-ceilinged room with
moveable seating. The focal point of the space is the ark—the
cabinet containing the Torah scrolls. Typically, an ark is a narrow,
vertical receptacle that hides the scrolls until they are revealed at
46 SYMBOL OF FAITH
specific points during services. In this case, Levinas worked with
local artisans to design a wide ark that appears to float against the
back wall. New York glass artist Ellen Mandelbaum created the
applied a thin layer of white glass to the clear panels directly over
the Torah so that the scrolls remain hidden until the appropriate
moment. Because the room is expected to serve as the sanctuary
only temporarily, the ark is designed to be readily moveable into
the permanent sanctuary when it is built.
Fulfilling the congregation’s directives regarding sustainability,
the building has achieved LEED Gold certification. It uses geot-
hermal energy and boasts a green roof, and most materials came
from local sources. The entry canopy, which might appear to be
made of poured-in-place concrete, is actually constructed of a steel
frame encased in a stucco-like cladding system. While this assembly
saved money, it also allowed for a much more energy-efficient
structure, with substantial insulation at all junctures between the
interior and exterior of the portico.
In many respects, Kol Shalom is more than meets the eye.
Levinas sees that as an expression of Jewish faith and culture.
“In the Jewish tradition,” he said, “there is a constant process
of discovering. The idea is that discovery leads to maturity. We
see this as an environment where people can grow and become
part of a community.”
Right: The ark, with sliding panels in the open
position, revealing the Torah.
Far Right: A corner of the sanctuary, in which
the glass wall seems to disappear into the rocks
at ground level.