Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue by Acton Ostry Architects

Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue
Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue
Photo © Michael Elkan

Since 1948, Congregation Beth Israel has been located in Vancouver on Oak Street, a busy arterial corridor and historical focal point for various congregations and institutions. No longer able to meet the needs of the congregation, the facility has been extensively renovated and expanded.

Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue
Photo © Michael Elkan

The existing synagogue has been retained and re-purposed for social and educational activities to provide a buffer between Oak Street and a new house of worship. The new facility is anchored by heavy masonry limestone walls and is surrounded by a series of interlinked courtyards.

Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue
Photo © Michael Elkan

The new sanctuary, oriented east for worship towards Jerusalem, opens to and embraces the surrounding courtyards to connect the foyer, lobby, and gallery hall with the terraced entry court, celebration plaza, children’s garden, ceremonial courtyard, and formal and informal play space.

Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue
Photo © Michael Elkan

These interlocking interior and exterior community spaces simultaneously separate and connect the inner sanctum with the community beyond, creating a transitional threshold between the sacred and the profane. An area along the eastern boundary of the site is reserved for the future development of a four-storey community office building.

Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue
Photo © Michael Elkan

The sanctuary can expand from a typical total of 400 seats to 1,400 during the High Holy Days by means of a large, movable walls located between the sanctuary, chapel and social hall. A warm palette of cherry wood paneling and Douglas-fir acoustic ceiling slats, further unites the sanctuary, chapel and social hall.

Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue
Photo © Michael Elkan

The main entry doors into the sanctuary are covered in raised words from biblical text while Hebrew lettering frit on interior glass configured in the image of the burning bush marks the chapel entry. Custom upholstered pews form concentric arcs around the raised Bimah creating an intimate setting for worship.

Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue
Photo © Michael Elkan

A massive concrete wall, clad in variegated slabs of Jerusalem stone, surrounds the focal point of the synagogue—the Ark and Holy Scriptures housed within. A narrow skylight bathes the wall and Ark in natural light. Above the Ark floats an ‘eternal light’ in the form of a three-dimensional Star of David.

Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue
Photo © Michael Elkan

The existing lower level has been transformed into flexible, multipurpose spaces: classrooms, seniors’ lounge, youth hall, conference centre, informal social space, administration offices, and meeting rooms. A new lobby at the lower level connects the underground parkade to the main level lobby. The uniform treatment of surfaces connects the levels with a board-formed concrete staircase, polished concrete aggregate floors, and the ethereal light from the warm hues of a colourful, glazed entry canopy.

Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue
Photo © Michael Elkan

Amongst the many environmental strategies implemented, the synagogue includes a connection for a pending District Energy System. The heating and domestic hot water systems are hydronic in order to facilitate the future connection under Vancouver’s Neighbourhood Energy Strategy. Completed under ASHRAE 90.1 2007 requirements, the synagogue achieves an 18% reduction in energy use.

Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue
Photo © Michael Elkan

In addition, the use of a mechanical heat recovery system in the administrative and classroom areas, 50% Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood, low emitting materials, and a low glazing area ratio of 25% also contribute to the building attaining a high level of high thermal performance and sustainability. Source by Acton Ostry Architects.

Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue
Photo © Michael Elkan
  • Location: Vancouver, Canada
  • Architects: Acton Ostry Architects
  • Principal-in-charge: Mark Ostry, ARCHITECT AIBC AAA SAA OAA FRAIC
  • Project Lead: Alex Percy, MArch IA
  • Project Team: Rafael Santa Ana, ARCHITECT AIBC, MRAIC; Bob Sumpter UK-Registered Architect ARB BArch; Anant Topiwala, Texas-Registered Architect NCARB; Sergei Vahkrameev, MArch IA; Andrew Weyrauch, MArch BA LEED AP; Kim Winston, UK-Registered Architect ARB MArch; Matthew Wood, UK-Registered Architect ARB BArch
  • Structural Engineer: Glotman Simpson Consulting Engineers
  • Mechanical Engineer: Integral Group (Formerly Cobalt Group)
  • Electrical Engineer: Integral Group (Formerly Cobalt Group)
  • Landscape Architect: Phillips Farevaag Smallenberg Inc.
  • Contractor: Haebler Group
  • Code: BR Thorson Consulting Ltd.
  • Acoustic: Daniel Lyzun & Associates (now part of RWDI Engineers)
  • Envelope: Read Jones Christoffersen Ltd
  • Environmental: Pacific Environmental Consulting & Occupational Hygiene Services
  • Lighting: EOS Lightmedia
  • Audio Visual: PJS Systems
  • Surveyor: McElhanney Associates Ltd
  • Restaurant/kitchen: Pacific Restaurant Supply
  • Client: Congregation Beth Israel
  • Gross Floor Area: 72,000 sf (6,689 sm)
  • Year: 2014
  • Photographs: Michael Elkan, Courtesy of Acton Ostry Architects
Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue
Photo © Michael Elkan
Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue
Photo © Michael Elkan
Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue
Photo © Michael Elkan
Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue
Photo © Michael Elkan
Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue
Photo © Michael Elkan
Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue
Photo © Michael Elkan
Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue
Photo © Michael Elkan
Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue
Photo © Michael Elkan
Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue
Photo © Michael Elkan
Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue
Site Plan
Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue
Main & Lower Level Floor Plan
Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue
Sections
Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue
Sections

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *