News

Zabludow Synagogue Project: October 2004 Update

The completed Zabludow Synagogue model developed by Handshouse Studio will be featured in a major exhibition at the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee. Entitled "Common Heritage: The Wooden Synagogues of Poland," the exhibition will include a series of events celebrating Jewish architecture and culture in Poland and America from Oct. 20 through 24. On Wed., Oct. 20, master millwright and Guild member Jim Kricker will demonstrate the log hewing techniques and timber joinery used in Polish wooden synagogues.

The 4'x4' Zabludow Synagogue model has been completed in recent workshops at Handshouse Studio. The spring workshop involved a dedicated team who made the walls and the unique timber framed roof structure over the main prayer hall. The later workshops focused on the tower roof structures and constructing all the finish work.

Just as in full-scale construction, the details have taken lots of time. We made all the wooden shingles and laid the tiny shingles in a similar way it would have been done on the real building. We built the windows and several small dormers as well and the front outside balcony, inside balcony, stairs and doors.

The model has two sides totally complete to look like the original synagogue as seen in pictures; and two walls have been left exposed, revealing the structural details and how it all went together.

The model is composed of five parts. The central part is the main prayer hall, which was the first original structure. The latter additions, the two side woman's prayer halls, the large front section can be pulled away to show the stages of the historical development of the structure. The timber framed roof structure of the prayer hall can be lifted off the log wall structure to better see the interior and exterior structural details. The Zabludow model is built to a 12:1 scale.

Background

In October 2003, Rick and Laura Brown represented Handshouse Studio in Bialystok, Poland, at "Annihilated Heritage - Zabludow Project International Workshops for the Preservation of Historic Wood Building Tradition." Participants from around the globe learned about the multicultural heritage of the Podlasie region of northeastern Poland, and its numerous wooden landmarks: farm buildings, Catholic and Orthodox churches, and mosques. The result of the conference/workshop was the adoption of the Bialystok Resolution, whereby participants pledged to develop an international learning network and to reconstruct the 17th century wooden synagogue of Zabludow, Poland, destroyed in World War II.

In the spirit of the workshop and the resolution, Handshouse Studio determined to contribute to the international learning network by hosting a Zabludow Synagogue Model Building Workshop April 22-26. Students were joined by architects, engineers, craftsmen, historiands, designers and builders to build a wooden study model of the Zabludow Synagogue. Chris Madigan, Ellen Gibson, Matt Hincman, and Wyly Brown helped lead the workshop, as they all tackled the roof truss and joinery of the building. The class was also treated to a demonstration of medieval axe work and joinery by master carpenter Petra Ruzicka and structural engineer-designer Vit Mlazovsky, both of the Czech Republic.

For more information and photos, please visit the Handshouse Studio website.