San Francisco studio Herman Coliver Locus Architecture has completed a synagogue in San Rafael, California, with a second-floor sanctuary space that frames views of the surrounding mountains.

Herman Coliver Locus Architecture worked with congregants at the Congregatio Rodef Sholom synagogue to design an open and welcoming building to replace a previous brick structure on the site that they described as “weighty” and “opaque”.

The synagogue, which was entirely clad in a light, sandy stone, has an L-shaped plan organised around a central courtyard on the lower floor.

Surrounding the courtyard are a kitchen, office spaces for staff, a social hall and youth lounge, while raised above are the sanctuary and Beit Midrash, or chapel, in two sculptural volumes.

“In our early design conversations with the congregation, what we heard from many, was that this edifice came to feel more closed than open to congregants and visitors as they approached the front door,” said the studio.

“The exterior expression of the new building suggests Aliyah and transcendence. It invites one up and in.”

Visitors enter the synagogue via the Community Entry Path – a slightly elevated pathway that “offers the time and space for one to shift one’s frame of mind from the quotidian space of the parking lot”.

From there, they move into a double-height lobby, which connects to a grand staircase that leads up to the main sanctuary or prayer spaces.

The upper level sanctuary is covered by a vaulted ceiling clad in slats and timber, which forms a giant window that overlooks the California forest. The studio raised this space to the building’s upper level as, when asked, the congregation said they felt closest to God when in nature.

“Before placing and giving shape to the Sanctuary, we asked individuals in the congregation where in the world they felt closest to God, holiness, and the oneness of everything,” said the studio.

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“Most answered they felt this feeling most when standing in nature: on the beach, in the mountains, in the desert or forest,” it continued.

“For this reason, we located the Sanctuary on the second floor to capture and frame a remarkable view of the forested hills to the east.”

The sanctuary space was connected to a patio with the Beit Midrash, a building that serves as a gathering place for smaller services, on the other side. This space was designed with slightly curved roof that recall to the slopes of the surrounding hills. A youth space is affixed to the back of this volume.

Downstairs, the courtyard contains a fountain, a fire pit, young deciduous Pardes trees, a small amphitheatre and a turf area.

Glass folding walls lining the lower level open up into the space and connect the interior spaces to the outdoor area.

Details include hammered copper triangles populated with the words of the Jewish Golden Rule, Love Thy Neighbour as Thyself, that cover the central Torah ark in the main sanctuary and other prayers that are etched above doorways and laser-cut into door handles.

Herman Coliver Locus Architecture is based in San Francisco. Founded by architects Robert Herman and Susie Coliver in 1969, the studio specialises in affordable housing and sacred spaces.

Other recently completed synagogues include a design by Adjaye Associates in Abu Dhabi for an interfaith complex with a church and a mosque and one in Ukraine that opens like a pop-up book.

The photography is by Richard Barnes

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