East End Temple

Our design for the East End Temple’s new home the Stuyvesant Square Historic District restores the luster to the historic façade while the new interior architecture celebrates the contemporary spirit of the congregation. The renovation of this 1888 former residence—designed by the acclaimed New York architect Richard Morris Hunt—included creating space for a double-height Sanctuary in the already partially built rear yard. Light is introduced from an unexpected break in the ceiling plane that shifts the orientation of worship to true east. The Sanctuary is designed to balance the synagogue’s need for flexibility of use within a greater sense of permanence and reverential calm. Many other architectural elements highlight aspects of the religious service. As one example, ten custom lights, each slightly different, hang from the ceiling as a reflection of the ten men needed for a minyan.