USNA’S LEVY CENTER

In addition to the usual challenges facing an architect designing a synagogue, Joseph Boggs confronted a few special ones at the Naval Academy, in Annapolis, Maryland. Any synagogue designer has to create a sanctuary large enough to hold the High Holiday full house while creating a space that still feels intimate when mostly empty during the weekly services. Next week, writer and historian William Lebovich will show how Boggs designed a building to serve the needs of both the institution and its Jewish population.

2006 AIA HOUSING AWARDS

The American Institute of Architects has announced 13 recipients of the 2006 Housing Committee Awards. This program recognizes good housing as a necessity of life, a sanctuary for the human spirit, and a valuable national resource. One of the winning projects is Nordheim Court (Doug Scott Photography), a student village of townhouses and apartments at the University of Washington, Seattle, designed by Mithun. The project includes a main courtyard to promote social interaction and a bike path to encourage alternative transportation. Next week we'll learn more about this and the other award recipients.