Congregation Beth Israel, in Charlottesville, Virginia added new educational and worship facilities to their existing 19th century building, the tenth oldest synagogue in the country. Any addition needed to respect the integrity of the original historic structure while increasing the floor area by three times. In order to create a massing that was sympathetic to the existing scale of the street, the design strategy created a 'village' of structures smaller in scale than the original temple. There is a new small sanctuary to the southeast which reflects the Gothic precedent of the original structure and mediates the mass of the new construction. it is also oriented to allow the park to be placed properly at the east end of the space. A modern 'trellis corridor' bridges between the new and existing construction. It is detailed in a grid of stainless steel cables where trumpet honeysuckle vines grow. This creates an intentional dialogue between the historic and the new. The large glass trellis also allows the social hall to have a dramatic view of the surrounding urban landscape, serving as a reminder of the community within which they live and worship. Temple Beth Israel East Jefferson Street Charlottesville, Virginia Design Award Virginia Masonry Council Religeous Project Honor Award Alliance for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities Honor Award Virginia Society American Institute of Architects

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Abrahamse and Co., Builders