Ansche Chesed Synagogue Renovation
New York, NYThe Ansche Chesed Synagogue renovation revitalizes the space to encourage a greater sense of community and to function more efficiently. The modern upgrades to this historic 94-year-old buff-brick synagogue include enlargement of the heavily used, tight entrance on 100th Street, originally intended to be a side entrance. By relocating the previously windowless offices to the fifth floor, Studio ST tripled the area of the lobby, creating a new, light and welcoming double-height space. We redesigned the basement level, transforming the social hall (Hirsch Hall) and the social hall annex, which is used during the weekdays as a gymnastics gym, into a simple yet beautiful space that can accommodate Bar Mitzvahs, High Holiday services, and communal events. Accessibility was a main goal during the renovation, and a new elevator was added to allow people with mobility challenges to access the synagogue sanctuary, the upper and lower lobby on the ground floor, and the two basement levels.
Donor Wall Design: Amy Reichert Judaica
Photography: Bilyana Dimitrova