Congregation B'nai Israel
Albuquerque
Dent & Nordhaus, Architects

Jewish history speaks through this fresh design approach

© Kirk Gittings

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After 30 years, Congregation B'nai Israel's sanctuary was in need of renovation. The design metaphor of a "tent in the desert" had been fully developed in the roof structure of the original design and was still visually powerful, but the original interiors were dark and somber, detracting from the lightness of the "tent" structure, and the finishes were in desperate need of replacement. The lighting was costly to operate, difficult to maintain, and woefully inadequate, with fixtures located 45 feet above the floor.

Working closely with a dedicated building committee, the architects gutted and remodeled the 7,500-square-foot sanctuary space within a limited budget of $50 per square foot. The design provided a new color scheme and finishes, and a completely new custom-designed lighting system was installed, with suspended curved light "beams" to complement the form of the structure. These copper-clad beams incorporate downlighting for the audience and uplighting to define the timber ceiling. Perimeter uplighting provides optimal light distribution and visual warmth.

The Ark is the spatial and ceremonial focus of the sanctuary. The wall behind it was redesigned as a vertical, curved element that visually ties the Ark with the roof structure. The flanking seating alcoves and entry are clad in local sandstone set with open joints and recessed bands of copper, alluding to the local landscape and the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. The seating was rebuilt and re-upholstered with a fabric designed by the architects and the layout was redesigned to improve accessibility and sight lines.

Formal name of Project:
Congregation B'nai Israel

Location:
Albuquerque

Size:
7,500 sq ft

Cost:
$350,000

Owner:
Congregation B'nai israel

Architect's firm:
Dent & Nordhaus, Architects
700 Fitzgerald Rd. NW
Albuquerque, NM 87107
Phone/Fax (505) 345 8183