NEW SYNAGOGUE, WITHINGTON, MANCHESTER : GALLERY AND GROUND FLOOR PLANS. The late Dei.issa Joseph, F.R.I.B.A., Architect.
New Synagogue at Witfiington
It is understood that great difficulty has been experienced in establishing an architectural convention which is universally suitable for synagogues. Halls for religious observances must always have some distinctive mark such as will separate them not only from secular buildings, but also from other halls belonging to different denominations. It cannot be said that the building here illustrated, a synagogue designed by the late Mr. Delissa Joseph, and completed under the supervision of Mr. Joseph Sunlight, has this distincttive quality in any special degree, but at least it has the merit of being an agreeable composition, in which the Classic style is utilised to give an effect of restraint and sobriety. The entrance portico, an essay in Roman Doric, is set between two projecting wings, which are, however, successfully dominated by the tall facade of the main hall behind. The general grouping of the parts is skilful and the building looks well from all sides.
The plan leaves nothing to be desired. The vestibule leads to an entrance hall, with staircases on either side giving access to a gallery. The hall of worship
or auditorium is a lofty rectangular chamber, having at its far end a platform with an apse in which the choir is accommodated. The interior view here reproduced shows a view of part of the platform and apse, and also the gallery with clerestory above. It is perhaps unfortunate that the Ionic columns supporting the latter should ignore the parapet of the gallery, which feature, in consequence, appears to be an afterthought; for the organic shapes of the columns are complete in themselves and take no formal cognisance of this important horizontal element impinging against them at a point approximately half-way between their bases and capitals. Apart from this, however, the composition has the quality of repose and is not without dignity.
The general contractors were Messrs. Wm. Thorpe & Son, Ltd., Manchester. The sub-contractors included : Messrs. The Crittall Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Braintree (windows); Messrs. Penning & Co., Ltd., London (marble); Messrs. W. LI. Fraley & Son, Ltd., Birmingham (marble); Messrs. J. & IT. Patteson, Manchester (marble); Messps. W. J. Burroughes & Sons, Ltd., London (heating); Messrs. J. Gibbons & Son,
(Continued on page 790.)
New Synagogue at Witfiington
It is understood that great difficulty has been experienced in establishing an architectural convention which is universally suitable for synagogues. Halls for religious observances must always have some distinctive mark such as will separate them not only from secular buildings, but also from other halls belonging to different denominations. It cannot be said that the building here illustrated, a synagogue designed by the late Mr. Delissa Joseph, and completed under the supervision of Mr. Joseph Sunlight, has this distincttive quality in any special degree, but at least it has the merit of being an agreeable composition, in which the Classic style is utilised to give an effect of restraint and sobriety. The entrance portico, an essay in Roman Doric, is set between two projecting wings, which are, however, successfully dominated by the tall facade of the main hall behind. The general grouping of the parts is skilful and the building looks well from all sides.
The plan leaves nothing to be desired. The vestibule leads to an entrance hall, with staircases on either side giving access to a gallery. The hall of worship
or auditorium is a lofty rectangular chamber, having at its far end a platform with an apse in which the choir is accommodated. The interior view here reproduced shows a view of part of the platform and apse, and also the gallery with clerestory above. It is perhaps unfortunate that the Ionic columns supporting the latter should ignore the parapet of the gallery, which feature, in consequence, appears to be an afterthought; for the organic shapes of the columns are complete in themselves and take no formal cognisance of this important horizontal element impinging against them at a point approximately half-way between their bases and capitals. Apart from this, however, the composition has the quality of repose and is not without dignity.
The general contractors were Messrs. Wm. Thorpe & Son, Ltd., Manchester. The sub-contractors included : Messrs. The Crittall Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Braintree (windows); Messrs. Penning & Co., Ltd., London (marble); Messrs. W. LI. Fraley & Son, Ltd., Birmingham (marble); Messrs. J. & IT. Patteson, Manchester (marble); Messps. W. J. Burroughes & Sons, Ltd., London (heating); Messrs. J. Gibbons & Son,
(Continued on page 790.)