- Projects
- Religious
- Renovations / Additions
Location
Location
Size of Project
1,000 SF
Date of Completion
January 2023
Collaborator
Collaborator
Sanctuary Restoration, Rear Building Reconstruction
Congregation Mickve Israel in Savannah, Georgia is home to one of the oldest Jewish communities in the United States, established in 1733 and deeply rooted in the city’s historic fabric. This project encompassed the restoration of the historic 1878 sanctuary, the demolition of a deteriorated 1950s rear addition, and the design of a new building that responds sensitively to both the congregation’s program and the architectural requirements of Savannah’s Historic District.
The sanctuary restoration reinforced key architectural elements of the Gothic Revival exterior, preserving character-defining features while improving environmental performance and spatial organization. Careful attention to material repair, glazing patterns, and structural integration ensured the work respected the original proportions and historic significance of the sanctuary’s design.
The removal of the outdated rear building allowed the design of a new addition that relates to the historic synagogue through scale, proportion, and material alignment.
The new structure supports expanded community functions while maintaining visual continuity with the heritage building and complying with Historic District guidelines.
Interior interventions focused on tightening circulation, enhancing natural light, and improving accessibility throughout the complex. Spaces serving liturgical, educational, and support functions were integrated to allow clear movement patterns and program adjacencies while reinforcing the sanctuary’s spatial hierarchy.
This comprehensive effort unified preservation, contemporary design, and campus planning to sustain the congregation’s architectural legacy within the context of Savannah’s historic core.