SAINT-PETERSURG JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER YESOD

Although the site is located in a heritage protection area, its surroundings required no consideration of the architectural environment, while the nearby facilities of the famous Krasnoe Znamya textile factory by Erich Mendelson served as an inspiration for experiment.

The architectural image of the building has been inspired by a number of Jewish symbols and was at the same time to conform to strict safety requirements developed under control of Israeli security services experts. For example, the blind wall along the main façade both symbolises the Western Wall of the Second Temple of Jerusalem and performs a security function. Behind this wall there is an atrium with a winter garden. This is also where an open staircase is located, which connects all the building floors and unofficially goes under the name of Jacob’s Ladder. A semicircular turret accommodates a library illuminated through a roof lantern with a lacing in the form of Jewish menorah lampstand.

A bright roofed

atrium in the middle of the building connects the rooms of various Jewish

community organisations. The facility also accommodates a concert hall and a

gym. The YESOD building won the Russian Federation Government award in the

field of culture in 2006.