Cultural and Commemoration Center of Vilnius Great Synagogue

CULTURAL AND COMMEMORATION CENTER OF VILNIUS GREAT SYNAGOGUE Summary of Bachelor of Architecture Thesis (on of project design part explanatory text)

Project done by Julija Musteikytė Assoc. professor doc.dr. Lada Markejevaitė

[…] ‫די ָא פַֿארגַא זּכרון ֿפון דעם ַא דַאנק ענען ווָאס מיר זענען נָאר מיר ז‬ .‫נגענהייט טָארן מיר דער פַֿארגַאנגענהייט‬ ‫ןליוו רימ יוו ןצינסיוא טינ רעבָא‬, ‫שטָאכ‬, ‫םידיחי יוו‬, ‫טקעריד טינ רימ ןענעז‬ ‫ריא רַאֿפ ךעלטרָאווטנַארַאֿפ‬. ‫ןזומ רימ‬ ‫ךיז ןיא ןגָארט יז‬, ‫לוֿפנַייּפ יצ םענעגנַייאמוא זיא’ס ביוא וליֿפַא‬. ‫ךיוא ןזומ רימ‬ ‫ןרעוו ןייר לָאז יז זַא ןבערטש‬. […] “a memory is at the core of our identity. We cannot dispose of it at will, even though as individuals we are not directly responsible for the actions of the past. We must carry it within us even though it is unpleasant or painful. We must also strive to expiate it” […] “esame savimi tik prisimindami praeitį. Negalime su šia praeitimi elgtis kaip tinkami, nors kaip individai nesame už tą praeitį tiesiogiai atsakingi. Turime nešiotis ją savyje, nors tai būna nemalonu ir skaudu. Ir privalome siekti, kad ji būtų apvalyta” Jan-Błoński

A Special Thanks to: Lada Markejevaitė, Simas Levinas, Lara Lempert, Jakovas Mendelevičius, Akvilė Grigoravičiūtė, Maja Ptašek. .

Presentation of the topic The chosen topic is “Cultural and commemorational center of Vilnius Great Synagogue” (liet. Vilniaus didžiosios sinagogos atminimo ir kultūros centras).

The place of the project already presented in the name of the topic is Žydų st.

13, in Vilnius, the place of destroyed the Great Synagogue of Vilnius.

The Great Synagogue was not a single standing object but the whole complex of synagogues. The complex was started in 15731 when Warsaw Conference guaranteed equal rights to all faiths 2. The synagogue was partly destroyed by the Germans during World War II. The ruined synagogue and the whole complex which had grown around it were demolished by the Soviet authorities from 1955 to 1957 and were intentionally replaced by a basketball court and a kindergarten to effectively prevent any sign it is used to be a holy place. In 2011 Lithuanian ex-Prime minister Andrius Kubilius and Vilnius Mayor Artūras Zuokas announced plans to restore the synagogue, after successful archaeological exploration of synagogue ruins same year 3.

This topic is an effort to establish the contemporary sign of existence former complex of synagogues and at the same time to design the new cultural center satisfying society needs.

Algė Jankevičienė „Vilniaus didžioji sinagoga“/“The Great Synagogue of Vilnius“ – Vilnius: Savastis, 2008 p. 6-7 2 http://www.unesco.org/new/en/communication-and-information/flagship-project-activities/ memory-of-the-world/register/full-list-of-registered-heritage/registered-heritage-page-8/ the-confederation-of-warsaw-of-28th-of-january-1573-religious-tolerance-guaranteed/ 3 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Synagogue_of_Vilna 1

Problematic of the chosen topic The greatest challenge of the chosen topic is to find and establish the connection between the historic situation and today’s status quo - between Jewish community and community of residential houses in Vokiečių street. In other words, it is also a challenge of stereotypes and tolerance. Recent research carried out by the Anti-Defamation League shows that 36 percent of Lithuanian adults hold anti-Semitic views4. Therefore, building a new object in the current yard of existing houses (which did not exist while the complex of synagogues exist) requires special attention to needs of everybody.

Furthermore, the function of the new object is also very problematic issue. The clear historic function was influenced by the size of former Vilnius Jewish community which used to own around 100 synagogues in Vilnius 5 before the second World War (WWII) while today the community believes 1 synagogue is already enough to satisfy their needs6.

Moreover, the urban situation of the plot is complicated. It is an “empty hole” in very intense old town built-up. On other hand, plot also has neighborhood of post-war buildings of Vokiečių street which are a big contrast in scale and layout to older environment.

http://en.delfi.lt/lithuania/society/lithuanian-jewish-community-leader-i-dont-feel-that-much-anti-semitism-around.d?id=65151529#ixzz3OoKV7tsi 5 http://etalpykla.lituanistikadb.lt/obj/LT-LDB-0001:E.02~2000~1367158343056 6 This assumption was made after conversations with Chairwoman of the Lithuanian Jewish community Faina Kukliansky and Chairman of Vilnius religion (Judaism) comunity Shmuel (Simas) Levin 4

Program of the project While analyzing the typology of the synagogues, I found the idea of combining religious, meeting- and learning functions very engaging. The synagogue is not only the house for prayers or reading Torah (the main teaching of Judaism). It is also a place for analyzing, understanding and comprehending the sermons of Torah. Therefore, in rabbinic literature the word “Torah” denotes both the five books, Torah Shebichtav (‫בתכבש הרות‬, “Torah that is written”), and an Oral Torah, Torah Shebe’al Peh (‫הפ לעבש הרות‬, “Torah that is spoken”). The Oral Torah consists of interpretations and amplifications which according to rabbinic tradition have been handed down from generation to generation and are now embodied in the Talmud and Midrash 7. Due to this I found essential not only to remark the place of former synagogues but also to remark it by the emphasizing the one of the former functions.

Moreover, the program of the project should reconnect the communities of different religions, beliefs and nationalities as well. I use the word reconnect not by accident. Vilnius was well-known as multicultural city8 where conflicts in-between different societies (mostly Lithuanian pogroms against Jews) were condemn by official government. Lithuanian Jews had no juridical restrictions of their freedom which were common in European countries- Anti-Semitism was not tolerated in Lithuania9. However, serving basic functions such as trading, money lending, merchandise and etc. made Lithuanian peasants dependent on Jews and that probably lead part of Lithuanian to anti-Semitic ideas which unfortunately were later successfully implemented by German Nazis. Having in mind this historical background, there is nothing strange that the history of Holocaust in Lithuania brings unpleasant statistic and facts how a great part of Lithuanians used to support Nazis. Even after 72years of the elimination of Vilnius Getho, we cannot be sure that anti-Semitism is not still alive in our country.

As it was mentioned in the presentation of the topic, 36 percent of Lithuanian adults hold anti-Semitic views.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torah http://www.lzb.lt/vilnius-siaures-jeruzale-litvaku-kulturos-religijos-ir-meno-metropolija/ 9 http://genocid.lt/Leidyba/11/recenz.htm 7 8

I do believe that art and education through it are the most powerful ways in flight against anti-Semitism. During his visit in Lithuania, Ira N. Forman the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism10 has described the means to combat against anti-Semitism. According to him the most important is to educate people. As the experience of USA has proven the more educated person is the less is possibility that he/she is going to take anti-Semitic actions. The other tendency mentioned by Mr. I.N. Forman is the part of society which is discriminated itself is much more tend to discriminate others11 . In this case the treatment to discrimination “disease” is the same – education. To conclude, the educational function must be held in the Cultural and Commemoration center of Vilnius Great synagogue.

Moreover, I do trust in society as one unit without discrimination due to religious or cultural differences. During my conversation with the leader of Jewish religious community in Vilnius Shmuel (Simas) Lewin, he asked rhetorical question: “what does it mean to be Jew?” He brought the idea that Vilnius Jewish community does not want to be excluded from the whole society. When we talk about society and use the word „we“ it usually means Lithuanians. Jews do not want to be those others, they want to be included into „we“. Therefore, the new object designed in the former place of the Great synagogue of Vilnius should bring the new understanding of differences in nationalities, religion and culture.

Moving on the details and functional scheme of the project, I would like to clear the key functions of it: • Art exhibition/community meeting place (multifunctional hall/area with possibilities to adapt it to different needs); • Information center, where Jewish culture could be presented for visitors; • Center of Yiddish language research (containing facilities for not only to analyze the language but also to teach it); • Living facilities for artist and scientist.

10 11

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/biog/211515.htm http://www.lzb.lt/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/LZB-2_2014_LT.pdf

Urban character of the plot Urban character of the plot was one of the most problematic point of the project area and at the same time the challenges of it made a strongest influence on designed complex layout. The urban problems recognized in the area: • Lost clear pattern of urban layout • Lost movement familiar for Vilnius Old Town • Lost scale of Vilnius Old Town The urban pattern of the area was damaged by the Second World War and period after it. The district of the area was known as Jewish district before the war.

The site was intensively built up by small residential houses and synagogues marked in blue (see figure 1). They were forming the urban character common for Vilnius Old Town – pattern of connecting inner yards and narrow streets (figure 2).

Unfortunately, this urban pattern was damaged during the Second World War and drastically destroyed just after it. The massive (out of old town scale) linear built-up was introduced in Vokiečių street and the area of synagogues was left as a hole in the city (figure 3).

Figure 1 Former urban layout

Figure 2 Existing urban layout

Figure 3 Changes in urban layout

The movement in the area was changed together with the “new” irrelevant built up. The movement in between yard (figure 4) is completely replace by illogical and uncontrolled movement (figure 5) through the “hole” in urban pattern of Old Town.

Figure 4 Former movement in the plot

Figure 5 Today’s movement in the plot

Talking about the losses of urban scale in the area, it is clearly seen while comparing old and new photos of the plot. Different view appears from the same still existing Žydų street (figures 6, 7).

Figure 6 Former site scale

Figure 7 Existing site scale

During project design all the efforts are made to show respect to the former urban layout and scale of the place.

Site plan solutions The planned edges of the plots are presented in Regalement of Protection of Vilnius Old Town monuments in Republic of Lithuania (figure 8). Also the same documents recommends recreating urban pattern in particular site and allows all type of renovation and reconstruction works. Having in mind this document, during design stage new edges of the plot were suggested. They are basically joining 3 plots showed in figure 8. This decision was made after realizing the need of size of designed object and in order to be able to fully recreate the urban pattern of the lost structure.

Moreover, in order to bring žydų street to its original location and give sense to it the end of the street is relocated (blue line, see figure 9) by directing it to one of gates („broma“) of Vokiečių street.

Figure 8 Capture from Reglament of Protection of Vilnius Old Town district No 32

Figure 9 Relocation of Žydų street

The plot is organized in a way of expressing respect for Vilnius Old Town layout. New “streets” and nominal spaces are being created. In order for new structure to be recognized as today’s architecture tolerance gaps between new and old built up are left. The finishing materials for new areas are chosen by their function. Inner yard are cladded by clinker tiles, streets (Žydų street and new introduced street between project and Eastern part built up) are traditionally paved by stones. Simple tiles paving is designed for areas closed to Dominikonų and Vokiečių streets residents houses. There it was possible greenery is left. The regalement of this area protection allows to eliminate it as such greenery parts are not common in original layout of Vilnius Old Town.

Today the plot is suffering from intensive hosting of car parking. During project design stage the car movement in the plot was redesigned in order to reduce and eliminate it. As automotive underground parking is designed in the area, cars are only passing one gate from Vokiečių street to reach it (ligh blue line, see figure 11). In order to reduce the negative affect of cars passing the plot to reach neighborhood yard, the covered passage is designed in the project (light blue line). Utilities entrance to the plot is also designed from the same gate that allows comfortable reach the storage of restaurant (light green line, see figure 11).

Figure 10 Site plan

Figure 11 Access to the site

In order to use created spaces functions are dedicated to them: 1. Gaon’s square (fig. 12) 2. Gallery yard-lobby (fig. 13) 3. Community meeting yard (fig. 14) 4. Terraced park (fig. 15)

Figure 12 View from Gaon‘s memorial

Figure 14 Terraces view

Figure 13 View to the yards

Figure 15 Meeting yard view

Urban composition of the project Urban composition of the project is influenced by the different directions (former and existing ones) of the neighborhood built up. These direction are presented in figures 16 and 17). Blue former directions are not felt today hence the concept of urban composition is to establish them again in order to provoke discussion (dialogue) with environment. Therefore, while creating two yards in the area, one of them outer contour is following existing direction while inner goes along former one. The other yard is designed in contrast of the first one system.

The yards are not exactly following the edges of the former ones (figures 18) but are naturally provoking discussion in today’s environment (figure 19).

Figure 16 Former urban axis

Figure 18 Designed complex placed in former layout

Figure 17 Existing urban axis

Figure 19 Designed complex placed in existing layout

Architectural concept of the project Architectural concept of the projects focus on revealing the main aim of the designed complex – to establish the dialogue between the Jewish history of the place and local residents, between past and present. The duality of the project (figure 20) is expressed by establishing two yards, localized on two raised from the ground platforms and joining them. The idea of platforms: • Allows to respectfully bury ruins of Vilnius Great synagogue • Symbolizes Jewish funeral tradition to leave the stone on burial place • Emphasizes the new structure located in old environment The platforms and buildings on them as it was already described in urban composition part follow former and existing urban axis in such a way provoking discussion (dialogue) with environment.

Figure 20 Conceptual scheme

In order to emphasize the intersection of inner axis (figure 21) the open or transparent parts of the project are located on them (figure 22). These glassed parts are creating focus poits (vistas) in this way enhancing project with features familiar to Vilnius Old Town where narrow street are framing one view or another. Moreover, transparent parts allow the project more sensitively respond to the scale of environment.

Figure 21 Conceptual axis

Figure 22 Scheme of transparant parts relation to compositional axis

Even though the approach against exact reconstruction of complex of synagogues was chosen, the main symbol of the complex – Vilnius Great synagogue is marked by designing the gallery following the parameter of its prayer hall.

As ir is showned in figure 23 the glass outer wall of designed gallery is following the outer line of former walls of prayer hall (the lowest drawing – the plan of synagogue). The designed gallery is covered by two layers: outside glassing and inner concrete wall - in order to symbolize the dialogue between the present and past. Also this construction allows to reach the main hall of gallery after crossing area seperating it from outside world (lobby is considered as esential part of synagogue). The pole foundations of gallery is enfolding the foundations of gallery so showing respect for existing structure.

Figure 23 3D scheme of gallery

The inner layout of designed gallery is interpretation of structure of synagogue.

The two main objects of synagogue – Bimah and Aron Kodesh are commermorated here. The place of Torah scrolls raeding – Bimah is marked by introducing balconies enfolding the origin place of it. Moreover the roof skylight is also following the contour of Bimah platform (described features are shown in figure 24). Aron Kodesh- place of keeping Torah scrolls are symbolically commemorated by two entrance to small observation balconies from its origin side.

Figure 24 Inner scheme of gallery

The structure of balconies is very common in synagogues (Vilnius Great Synagogue was not an exception). Therefore, the balconies in gallery were designed. The location heights of them are emphasizing the heights of Vilnius Great synagogue spaces (see figure 25). Even thought it was desided to not to follow architectural style of the former synagogue and roof is not an exception – the slope of it is formed by using the heights of the lowest and highest points of roof of synagogue

Figure 25 Synagogue and gallery relations

Buildings located nearby and connecting the gallery are conceptually commemorating the yard structure familiar for the former complex of synagogue (described in analytic part). On purpose they are not exactly located in the places of former complex buildings. The reasons for this approach come as follow: • The urban layout of city is already changed so the artificially implemented structure would be out of context • The former structure would have no sense as the function of it would be not actual anymore • The aim of the project is to commemorate the former complex but not to reconstruct

Figure 26 Project in environment

The chosen scale of the building creates the nuance with environment (figure 26) but at the same time the designed complex is recognized as a new construction.

Visual connections As the site of project is located in the heart of Vilnius Old Town the skyline of the city is seen from it. Two main focus points (figure 27) were recognized and taken into account while shaping volumetric composition of the object.

Both of the churches could be observed from staircase of the gallery and roof observation deck.

Figure 27 Visual connections scheme

Figure 29 City observation from Vilnius City Research building

Figure 28 City observation from gallery

Functional layout Project could be divided into 5 main parts by function: • Gallery facilities (index G) • Cafeteria facilities (Index C) • City Research facilities (Index R) • Living facilities (Index L) • Workshop facilities (index S) • Neighborhood community facilities (Index N) • Parking (Index P

Figure 30 Basement functional scheme

Figure 31 Ground floor functional scheme

Figure 32 First floor functional scheme

Figure 33 Second floor functional scheme

Interior characteristics While designing interior the main idea was to create the feeling of the complex.

Therefore most of glass part are located in positions from which “life of yards� is seen. Interior materials are selected having in mind their relation with outside and functionality. Designed areas are calm and bright.

Most of gallery interior elements are having symbolic function. The flooring of it is repeating the flooring of outside platform in order to express monumentality of the object. Wall are painted in white in order not to compete with art works. The prolonged mirror surface is following the line of stairs in observation staircase. This detail was designed to make city observation more meaningful. While seeing yourself in a mirror in view of city panorama you are somehow asking yourself – what is your relation with city? With the object? Jewish culture?

Figure 35 Gallery space

Figure 34 Corridor of synagogue

Figure 36 Gallery space

Materials Concerning the materials and colour range in Vilnius Old Town, six different materials were used for outside cladding. The covered and not covered floor surface is paved in clinker tiles in order to express monumentality. For public facilities buildings (gallery, Vilnius City Research center, community center and cafeteria) limestone cladding is used. Limestone tile are covering the roof of gallery, community and research centers too in order to show their cultural importance for the area and give them sculptural character. Buildings hosting living facilities are finished in brick from inner balcony side and plaster from outer sides (figure 38). In this way two layers of spaces are emphasized. For the roofs of living facilities and cafeteria buildings copper was chosen. Colorfully it matches the style of Vilnius old town and technically allows to have differently sloped roofs. There it was conceptually or technically necessary colorless glass is implemented.

Figure 37 Range of materials

Figure 38 Materials in residential balcony

Exposition As the area of gallery is limited and there is a will to expose all types art works. The solution to hang them from roof bearing space grid was chosen. The action of changing exposition would be executed by aerial work platforms (figure 39).

Figure 39 Aerial work platforms

Parking As the problem of parking is very actual in the plot, decision of automotive car parking was taken. The parking is located in 2 floors located using the different heights of yard platforms. The solutions of it were taken from Lodige industries. The type of parking – pallet less. This type ensure car movement on shifters in order to avoid problem of moving in between columns. This type of parking would allow to save the time of residents and visitors as the car is parked and delivered in 6 minutes. Moreover, such parking not only improves cityscape by consuming substantially less space but also is environmentally friendly – no gas emotions during the action of parking.

Figure 40 Car on shiffter

Graphic part All panels

Urban model

Urban model

Urban model

Main project model From Vokiečių street

Main project model From Stikli킬 street

Main project model From Dominikon킬 street

During final presentation the project was evaluated by highest mark (10) and part of it was exhibited for the public. During the opening of the exhibition I recieved the certificate of appreciation from Vilnius mayor R. Ĺ imaĹĄius.

WHO AM I? Julija Musteikytė – an Architect (Bachelor of Architecture Thesis at Vilnius Gediminas Technical University), currently studying Master of Cultural Heritage Protection at Vilnius University.

MY CONNECTION TO JEWISH CULTURE? No known direct connection. I am Lithuanian by nationality.

TOPIC? I have been interested in WW2 history of inhumanity as well as holocaust since high school. While walking around Vilnius I have always felt that urban pattern of city is full of historic signs. My chosen studies of Architecture formed my perception of buildings as powerful mean to attract public attention or even form attitude.

In my opinion, the place of the former Vilnius Great Synagogue is one of the most painful wounds in Vilnius Old Town. During my reseach I realized that it is not only a physical but also a spiritual vacuum in Lithuanian-Jewish relationship.

CONCEPTION? The aim of Bachelor of Architecture degree final work – to design cultural center dedicated to establish dialogue between the Jewish history of the project place and existing neighborhood community, thus expressing remembrance of Vilnius synagogues, klyozes and their yards while recreating destroyed urban pattern of Vilnius Old Town. The volumetric spatial composition of the project is consciously not repeating exact layout and architectural style of former synagogues. The exception was made by marking the perimeter of Vilnius Great synagogue prayer hall while in this area designing art gallery, which rooms ‘functional relations and physical parameters are an artistic interpretation of the former building. In order not to violate the foundation of former synagogues, existing under the cultural layer, the whole complex is localized on the two above ground level raised platforms, symbolically burying and using metaphor of Jewish culture custom to leave the stone to honor the dead. The program of the project is prepared with aim to emphasize functions familiar for the place by adapting them in today‘s context. There are gallery, information center to present the culture of litvaks, Vilnius City Research Center, hosting and working spaces for arriving artists-scientists and local community center designed. While using the difference of heights of designed ground platforms partially underground automotive car parking is designed. The chosen scale of the building creates the nuance with environment. Finishing materials were selected having in mind nowadays tendencies but at the same time not creating contrast to neighborhood buildings. The Bachelor of Architecture degree final work consist from analytic, project design, construction and engineering parts.

Please feel free to contact me for more information or full text and graphic parts of my Bachelor of Architecture Graduation Thesis.

All comments are welcome: email julytem@gmail.com fb Julija Musteikyte

Thank you!