New synagogue in Opava

The aim of the thesis was to create an architectural study of the new synagogue in Opava. Similarly to many other towns and cities, the former synagogue was burned during Kristallnacht, the ruins were completely demolished and taken away. Nowadays there are no buildings on the site, except the former Rabbi’s house. Basic idea was in preserving the park character of the site by insertion of a non-arrogant low cuboid volume in the neighbourhood of apartment buildings from the first half of the 20th century. Designed form benefits from the character of the site while humbly avoiding construction on the actual place where the burnt synagogue stood. This creates an elegant, low object, whose two dominant ceiling slabs are filled with glass in between so it preserves a part of the park’s existing transparency and let the interior freely connect with exterior, also thanks to large sliding windows. In the center of the block is situated three sides closed atrium, which surrounds the new synagogue, into whose interior delicate scattered sunlight penetrates through the translucent onyx stone walls