Daniela Hradilová
portfolio
New Synagogue
Program: Public
Location: Teplice, Czech Republic
Year: 2017
The site of this diploma project is located in Teplice in an area that has a very strong Jewish connection. Before destroyed due to a Nazi uprising in 1939, there used to be a magnificent synagogue nearby, one of the biggest synagogues in the central Europe. Nonetheless, the Jewish community is still quite active in Teplice and wishes to builda new center for their community with a potential to attract the general public.
The aim was to accommodate many different functions that are related to the Jewish traditional life and activities. Therefore the building volume consists of an underground block, where the technical facilities, parking and a small spa are located. Above this base, there are 4 independent volumes: a kosher restaurant, the administrative offices, a museum and a synagogue. The synagogue is the epicentre of this project and it is emphasized by the glass highly reflective cladding and the round shape. The cultural center is adjacent to the underground level base.
Because of the quite complicated mixed functions, the volumes are simple in its’ concept, but rich in detail and symbolism. The dominant material is stone cladding with golden accents in different areas. As a part of this project, there were many details designed, such as the museum exposition plan, the shape of the synagogue itself or the restaurant interior elements that are inspired by the Star of David. The synagogue has a modern twist to the volume and the interior design. The round concrete walls are cladded with special golden glass mosaic tiles from the outside, the interior design is humble with a central skylight and suspended wooden round structure that enriches the interior and optically divides the women’s and men’s area. The outside wall of the synagogue is made from fragments of the destroyed Jewish gravestones as a respectful remainder of the unfortunate history of this site.