Synagogues

We provide:

• • A unique, beautiful and functional synagogue design, which will transform your space and communal experience and spiritual worship
  • Assistance in the creation of a realistic budget for your new synagogue building or synagogue renovation and work alongside you during the process
  • Guidance with creating and updating the schedule for the design phase, approval process and construction of the building or interior renovation
  • Plans and photo-realistic 3D renderings to communicate the synagogue design and support the fundraising efforts for the building
  • Presentations of the new synagogue design or synagogue renovation design to the various committees involved, the board as well as the congregation at large

Awards:

• SARA National Design Awards: Skokie Valley Synagogue received Honor in Renovation, Restoration, and Adaptive Re-Use category, October 2023
• Archello Awards: Skokie Valley Synagogue longlisted for best religious building of the year, October 2023
• Architizer A+ Awards: Skokie Valley Synagogue selected as Special Mention honoree in +Renovation category, May 2023
• AN Best of Design Awards: SynaCondo selected as Editor’s Pick, The Architect’s Newspaper, 2019

Selected Writing:

• This is what an $8 million synagogue renovation looks like
• Synagogue Security and the Holiday of Purim
• The Pain of the Pandemic and the Beauty of Praying Outside
• Synagogue Renovations – Ethics and Aesthetics
• Architectural Ethics: Is Your Building Immoral?

Studio ST Architects is a boutique architectural firm that specializes in synagogue design and synagogue renovations. We recently completed two award-winning synagogue renovations in New York and Illinois. We have a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities of synagogue architecture and of renovations of places of worship.

We would love to share our knowledge and experience with your community.

Designing a synagogue building or renovating an existing synagogue are unique projects. We work with the synagogue team, building and design committees, finance, and fundraising committees to create a realistic and responsible budget and schedule.

The best synagogue architecture requires balancing of the community’s needs, a tight budget, security requirements, and scheduling constraints that depend on the high-holidays and other communal commitments. The renovation often takes place while the building is in use.

At Studio ST Architects, we understand these needs and have decades of experience working with Orthodox, Chabad, Conservative, Reform, and Renewal communities. We know that each congregation has its own prayer practice and denominational affiliation and we the nuanced differences in styles and services. We have worked closely with Rabbis, the board of trustees, and the lay lead volunteer committees on synagogue designs to create sanctuaries that fit each Kehilah, including unique designs for the ark (aron), reading table (bemah), lectern (amud), eternal light (ner tamid) and mechitza partition.

We have extensive experience in designing various security systems such as lockdown systems, forced entry resistant doors and man-trap vestibules to ensure synagogues are safe and secure from attacks while keeping these places of worship open and inviting.

We believe that a beautiful synagogue sanctuary will enhance the sense of community and spirituality. It is important to balance an experience of personal, intimate spirituality with a sense