Leichtag Foundation Announces Winner of National Sukkah Design Competition
The local husband and wife architecture team designed their modern interpretation of the sukkah using plywood. From their submission: “The seven sides of this Sukkah structure represent the seven days of the week and the seven year cycle. Once inside the Sukkah, one’s awareness of the outside world is diminished. The base of the Sukkah structure tapers inwards to harvest one’s thoughts, wishes and concerns. Conversely, the top tapers outwards to release them to the sky.”
Three finalists were chosen by judges from the pool of 17 submissions to build their design. A team of volunteers built the Sukkahs on October 5 and the sukkahs were open to the public the following week for worship, art activities and the Sukkot at the Ranch event on October 12, which attracted 1,800 guests.
This year’s themes were release and renewal and the canvas to express these themes is the Sukkah. Each Sukkah is required to adhere to a list of guidelines including that the structure be temporary; it must have at least two-and-a- half walls; it must be big enough to contain a table and most of a person’s body; and it must have a roof made of shade-providing organic materials through which a person can see the stars.