Nevei Kodesh

Boulder, Colorado

As an anchor to the proposed Boulder Jewish Commons Master Plan, the Nevei Kodesh synagogue looks to bring form to the esoteric underpinnings of the Renewal movement. Geometric overlays suggest a strong sense of the still center, where meditation meets spiritual celebration. Further inner focus is achieved by thick arcing walls of rammed earth that hold the Torah. These geologic walls evoke distant memories of the desert and the Wailing Wall, while functionally acting to stabilize the thermal comfort of this passive solar climatic response. Daylighting, net-zero design strategies, and adaptable social spaces make this a sacred space with an ethic of environmental responsibility.